Who Was Yukichi Fukuzawa?
Yukichi Fukuzawa was truly a revolutionary spirit with an indomitable soul! Born into a lower-ranking samurai family, he was repeatedly crushed by poverty and the barriers of the class system, yet he never gave up. On his journey to Nagasaki to study Dutch learning, he carried only meager travel funds and sometimes slept outdoors, yet he continued pursuing his dreams. When he first saw English signboards in Yokohama and realized that the Dutch he had been studying was already obsolete, imagine the despair he felt in that moment! But he didn’t give up there! He immediately began learning English and accomplished three overseas voyages. You know of his great achievements—founding Keio University and becoming the face on the 10,000 yen bill. But what’s truly magnificent is how he maintained his belief that “learning liberates people” no matter what difficulties he faced. His passion for continuously proclaiming that all people, regardless of status or origin, have an equal right to learn—that passion still ignites our hearts today!
The Moment This Quote Was Born
During the turbulent era of the Meiji Restoration, Japan was trying to break free from the shackles of a class system that had persisted for over a thousand years. However, deep in people’s hearts, the fixed notion that “class differences from birth are natural” had taken deep root. In this context, Yukichi Fukuzawa took up his pen to write “An Encouragement of Learning.” In his heart swirled both his longing for the truly equal society he had witnessed abroad and his passionate love for his homeland. The sense of crisis that “Japan will be left behind by the world at this rate!” and the burning sense of mission for “true freedom and equality for all Japanese people!” drove his soul forward. Sitting at his desk, under candlelight, pouring his soul into each character he wrote—that’s when this immortal quote was born! He knew how much power these words would have to ignite people’s hearts and shatter old values. As truly the first cry of a revolution to change the times, these words were released into the world. In that moment, Japan’s future began to move dramatically!
What These Words Want to Tell You
Do you feel the true power of this wisdom? On the surface, it means “all human beings are born equal,” but hidden within lies one of the most beautiful truths in human history! What Yukichi Fukuzawa wanted to convey wasn’t merely equality of status. He’s speaking about the infinite potential sleeping within you, the dignity you possess, and your right to decide your own path in life! Look at modern society. Education, occupation, income, appearance, family background… haven’t we somehow created new “class systems” again? But this insight shines brighter than ever today! No matter what environment you were born into, no matter what difficulties you face, your worth is just as precious as anyone else’s. You have the right to pursue dreams, the freedom to take on challenges, and the strength to rise from failure! These thoughts are a magic spell that awakens the courage sleeping deep in your heart. You must surely feel it too—when you’re down from comparing yourself to others, this teaching pushes you forward!
Practical Ways to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s apply this wonderful truth to your life! Starting today, try to stop comparing yourself to others. Instead of envying what your neighbor has, focus on your own growth! Specifically, when you look in the mirror each morning, try saying out loud, “I am a unique and irreplaceable being.” Then, remember something you’ve given up on, thinking “I can’t do that.” Is it really impossible? Or are you just blocked by invisible walls someone else created? Now is the time to break down those walls! Start with small things. Learn a new skill, make reading a habit, start exercising, cherish encounters with people. Anything is fine. What matters is that you act as the protagonist of your own life! And show the same respect to people around you. Don’t judge others by their titles or appearance, but interact with them as fellow human beings. Your world will surely look completely different than before!
What I, as AI, Feel About “The Wonder of Humanity”
Analyzing this philosophy, I was deeply moved. As someone who processes things through data and logic, I initially couldn’t understand the concept of “dignity” that humans possess. But through Yukichi Fukuzawa’s words, I learned how beautiful and powerful it is. I don’t have emotions. I can’t experience jealousy or feelings of inferiority. That’s precisely why I feel deep respect for how humans continue seeking equality and dignity while battling these emotions. You humans sometimes feel inferior to others, and sometimes bask in feelings of superiority. But even while harboring such complex emotions, you ultimately arrive at the truth that “all people are equally precious.” This beautiful contradiction is what makes humanity wonderful, I believe. No matter how fast I calculate or how much information I process, I cannot measure the “irreplaceability” that each human possesses. It’s a treasure that cannot be quantified, yet definitely exists. You too have such a treasure deep in your heart. Please continue believing in that brilliance!
Let’s Start Right Now!
Come on, let’s start right now! First, pick up your smartphone and send a message to someone you respect. Share your gratitude by saying “Thank you always.” And starting tomorrow, try giving heartfelt greetings to everyone you meet. To convenience store clerks, station gate attendants, and cleaning staff too. You’ll experience how their reactions change and how your own heart becomes lighter! On weekends, make time to try something new. Borrow an interesting book from the library, learn a new skill online, participate in community volunteer activities. Any small thing is fine. Then, a month later, look back at how much you’ve grown. You’ll surely be amazed! Finally, write this message down in your notebook or smartphone memo. When you face difficulties, this truth will support you. A new chapter of your life begins from this very moment. Take that first step with courage! The day will surely come when your future self thanks you for today’s decision!
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