Sun Yat-sen

Father of modern China

Modern influential 85 sayings

Sayings by Sun Yat-sen

An individual should not have too much freedom. A nation should have absolute freedom.

Approx. 1920s — General statement on freedom and the nation, likely within his political philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

An individual should not have too much freedom. A nation should have absolute freedom.

Approx. 1920s — General statement on freedom and the nation, likely within his political philosophy.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

But in China, where industry is not yet developed, Marx's class war and dictatorship of the proletariat are impracticable.

1924 — From his book 'Capital and the State', discussing the applicability of Marxist theories to China.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

But in China, where industry is not yet developed, Marx's class war and dictatorship of the proletariat are impracticable.

1924 — From his book 'Capital and the State', discussing the applicability of Marxist theories to China.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Class war is not the cause of social progress; it is a disease developed in the course of social progress. The cause of the disease is the inability to subsist, and the result of the disease is war.

1924 — From his book 'Capital and the State' or 'Chung-shan Ch'üan-shu (Zhongshan Quanshu), vol. II', discu…
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Class war is not the cause of social progress; it is a disease developed in the course of social progress. The cause of the disease is the inability to subsist, and the result of the disease is war.

1924 — From his book 'Capital and the State' or 'Chung-shan Ch'üan-shu (Zhongshan Quanshu), vol. II', discu…
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

That interview must have done much good. The English people do not know how badly China is governed.

December 1, 1896 — Regarding an interview he gave to The Daily News.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

That interview must have done much good. The English people do not know how badly China is governed.

December 1, 1896 — Regarding an interview he gave to The Daily News.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

He is shut up in his Palace, and he knows nothing. The people cheat him right and left about what goes on. He hears nothing but lies.

Pre-1911 — Referring to the Emperor, during the Qing Dynasty era.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

He is shut up in his Palace, and he knows nothing. The people cheat him right and left about what goes on. He hears nothing but lies.

Pre-1911 — Referring to the Emperor, during the Qing Dynasty era.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

When the nation can act freely, then China may be called strong, To make the nation free, we must each sacrifice our personal freedom.

Approx. 1920s — On national strength and the sacrifice of individual freedom.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

When the nation can act freely, then China may be called strong, To make the nation free, we must each sacrifice our personal freedom.

Approx. 1920s — On national strength and the sacrifice of individual freedom.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

Remember that a civilized nation cannot just have one party; if there were only one party, this would merely be a dictatorship. Politics could not advance.

Approx. 1920s — On political parties and the nature of a civilized nation.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Remember that a civilized nation cannot just have one party; if there were only one party, this would merely be a dictatorship. Politics could not advance.

Approx. 1920s — On political parties and the nature of a civilized nation.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed

The Meiji Restoration is the first step of the Chinese revolution, and the Chinese revolution is the second step of the Meiji Restoration.

1900 — Expressed to Inukai Tsuyoshi during his exile in Japan.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The Meiji Restoration is the first step of the Chinese revolution, and the Chinese revolution is the second step of the Meiji Restoration.

1900 — Expressed to Inukai Tsuyoshi during his exile in Japan.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

All lovers of Democracy cannot help but support whole-heartedly and welcome with enthusiasm the movement to restore your wonderful and historic nation, which has contributed so much to the civilization of the world and which rightfully deserve [sic] an honorable place in the family of nations.

April 24, 1920 — In a letter to N.E.B. Ezra, founder of the Shanghai Zionist Association.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

All lovers of Democracy cannot help but support whole-heartedly and welcome with enthusiasm the movement to restore your wonderful and historic nation, which has contributed so much to the civilization of the world and which rightfully deserve [sic] an honorable place in the family of nations.

April 24, 1920 — In a letter to N.E.B. Ezra, founder of the Shanghai Zionist Association.
Strange & Unusual Disputed

If Russia wants to cooperate with China, she will only cooperate with our Party, and not with Chen Tu-hsiu (then leader of the Chinese Communist Party). If Chen and his followers disobey our Party, we must expel them.

Late 1923 — Statement made when Chinese Communists showed signs of insubordination.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If Russia wants to cooperate with China, she will only cooperate with our Party, and not with Chen Tu-hsiu (then leader of the Chinese Communist Party). If Chen and his followers disobey our Party, we must expel them.

Late 1923 — Statement made when Chinese Communists showed signs of insubordination.
Strange & Unusual Confirmed