During the formative years of my education, I harboured a distinct lack of enthusiasm towards textbooks, perceiving them as emblematic of a rote learning paradigm that stifled genuine intellectual curiosity. In my youthful naiveté, I was led to believe that exemplary academic performance bore little correlation to future success; thus, I adopted an attitude of mere compliance, viewing my scholarly obligations as tasks to be executed rather than opportunities for enlightenment.

I possess a vague recollection of a momentous occasion at the commencement of the sixth grade of elementary school, when our instructors in Chinese, English, and Mathematics posed a thought-provoking inquiry: “Why is it imperative to excel in Chinese, English, and Mathematics?” They granted us a semester to ponder and articulate our responses.

On the eve of Christmas, we each submitted our reflections. Although the specifics of my written response have long since faded from my memory, the earnest teachings imparted by my educators remain indelibly etched in my heart, continuing to yield benefits even as I traverse the complexities of adulthood, now well into my thirties.

It is common to perceive many mathematical concepts as challenging to apply in the quotidian realm, leading one to conclude that mastery of basic arithmetic operations suffices. Unless one’s future profession is entwined with engineering or the sciences, intricate mathematical calculations may appear superfluous. Yet, I recall my teacher’s profound assertion: “Confronting the intricacies of mathematics parallels the resilience required to navigate life’s myriad challenges. A mere miscalculation on an examination may result in a deduction of marks, yet an error on the journey of life encompasses far graver ramifications, necessitating a comprehensive unraveling of the issue at hand to identify its root and effectuate necessary corrections.” In my youthful ignorance, I was ill-equipped to grasp the profundity of this wisdom; however, last year, whilst orchestrating the arrangement of furniture, I found myself invoking the Pythagorean theorem, prompting a sudden recollection of my teacher’s sagacious words. Indeed, as one enters the societal sphere, each encounter with adversity evokes the sensation of reverting to the elementary school experience, marred by frustration over missteps. Compounding this, one discovers that the world offers no definitive answers; rather, all must be diligently explored and rectified incrementally.

As for my Chinese instructor, his earnest entreaty was that by mastering the Chinese language, one could craft a meaningful existence within the land of one’s upbringing. In a world where communication and exchange are indispensable, proficiency in Chinese empowers individuals to articulate nuanced emotions, transform personal values into the power of discourse, and chronicle unique thoughts to bequeath to posterity. In my youth, I lacked the maturity to fathom the profound philosophy underpinning these words. I vividly recall that during my childhood, my family procured three newspapers each morning: the “Oriental Daily News”, “Sing Tao Daily”, and “South China Morning Post”. In an era devoid of smartphones and the Internet, perusing newspapers constituted our primary means of acquiring information and passing the time.

While the journalistic style of that era may not have been exemplary, it possessed a certain remarkable quality when juxtaposed with contemporary publications. Today’s headlines are often replete with sensationalist phrases such as “Achieving Success with One Venture” and “One Effort for Eternal Triumph”, frequently forsaking depth and quality in pursuit of mass appeal and increased traffic. A well-crafted headline should furnish readers with an initial understanding of the article’s content, thereby igniting a desire for deeper exploration. For instance, the headline from “Express” on January 5, 1975, proclaimed: “Refusal to Adopt Duke Chow’s Etiquette, Suspected of Financial Deception through Marriage, Hong Kong Man Strangles His Beloved Wife in Taiwan, Plans to Flee Back to Hong Kong Airport to Evade Arrest.”

The essence of my teacher’s message that day was that mastering the Chinese language equips one to lead a fulfilling existence in their homeland. However, it is lamentable that those engaged in the media—who ought to be nurturing our linguistic acumen—have oftentimes relinquished the ability to refine the Chinese language. In such a milieu, how can one elevate their intrinsic value?

Contemporary society has entered an epoch that largely disregards substantive content in favour of expedient successes. As material existence becomes increasingly opulent, the spiritual realm stagnates, culminating in individuals who may possess striking exteriors yet harbour hollow, desolate interiors.

The insights imparted by my English teacher resonate acutely with the prevailing circumstances in Hong Kong. The educator once posited that English serves as an indispensable international lingua franca, advocating for a worldview that transcends the confines of Hong Kong, aligning instead with global standards. In the absence of a shared linguistic medium, one risks exclusion from the global theatre, akin to constructing an automobile in isolation, oblivious to the world’s vastness, thereby constraining one’s intellectual horizons.

At times, we jestingly refer to Hong Kong individuals as those who “venerate foreign entities”, yet seldom do we engage in profound contemplation regarding the underlying causes of this phenomenon. Why do we encounter the phenomenon of “fake ABCs”—a pejorative term denoting those of Chinese descent raised in Western environments—yet seldom hear of “fake Chinese”? We laud specialised medical practitioners as “Western doctors”, yet what is the prevailing sentiment towards traditional Chinese medicine? It is an undeniable truth that despite our own expertise, Western nations continue to wield considerable influence across numerous domains. Even in the present day, we remain compelled to glean knowledge from these nations. To keep pace with the evolving times and maintain our competitive edge, we must persist in our pursuit of English proficiency, ensuring our capacity to engage with the global community and remain attuned to the flow of information, lest we become increasingly myopic.

The knowledge acquired in our formative years may gradually diminish as we mature, yet it does not vanish into the ether; rather, it subtly weaves itself into the fabric of our daily existence, shaping our worldview and influencing our approach to problem-solving.

Only through continual learning can one attain a deeper understanding of their own limitations. It is this awareness of one’s shortcomings that cultivates humility. Thus, those who are genuinely erudite often embody the most profound humility and kindness.

Chinese Version : 文字的流轉，映照人生的起伏

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