Yang Wenli

“The greatest freedom is the freedom not to get involved.”

“For as long as human history goes on, the past will continue to accumulate. History isn’t just records of the past. It’s also proof that civilization has continued to advance to the present. Our present civilization is the result of our past.”

“Someone who cannot hate something, cannot love something, either.”

“Dictatorship itself isn't absolutely evil, it's just another form of government. The point is how you can run it for the benefit of society.”

“Perhaps in this universe, there exists a solitary, absolute truth. Perhaps it clarifies every question. But that’s beyond the reach of these short hands.”

“Children don't grow up looking at perfect parents. Rather, using their imperfect parents as anti-teachers, children nourish a spirit of independence.”

“It’s the most powerful words in the world. No just argument or eloquence can stand a chance against it. It’s… ”So what?””

“Everybody has to display a certain loyalty to their paycheck. I was the same way. It isn’t just a piece of paper, but a chain that binds people.”

“Neither terrorism nor occultism have ever impacted history in any constructive way.”

“Alcohol is humanity's friend. How can I abandon a friend?”

“In the long flow of time, living things know nothing of their ancestors, except for the genes they’ve inherited. Only mankind has history. Having a history differentiates mankind from all other living species. That’s why I wanted to be a historian.”