Who Was Yukichi Fukuzawa?
Yukichi Fukuzawa was a man who truly embodied his own words through the way he lived his extraordinary life! Born into a lower-ranking samurai family, he courageously confronted the massive barriers of Japan’s rigid class system and dedicated his entire being to modernizing his nation.
Do you know how coldly he was regarded when he first began studying Dutch learning? While others mocked him, asking “What use could such foreign knowledge possibly have?” Fukuzawa never wavered. Even in poverty, he kept the flame of his passion for learning burning bright, sometimes struggling to find enough food while pursuing his studies with unwavering dedication.
His true character shone through his three overseas voyages, which required incredible courage! For Japanese people of that era, traveling abroad was literally a life-or-death adventure. Yet Fukuzawa declared, “Unless I see the world with my own eyes, I cannot speak of Japan’s future,” and literally threw himself wholeheartedly across the Pacific Ocean.
His achievements in founding Keio University and writing “An Encouragement of Learning” all sprang from this spirit of “wholehearted self-sacrifice.” He continues to be beloved today because he never chose the safe path, constantly throwing himself into the service of Japan’s future!
The Moment This Quote Was Born
This wisdom emerged from the turbulent era of the Meiji Restoration. Imagine it! The Edo period had ended, all values had been turned upside down, and countless people found themselves lost in the chaos of complete transformation.
Yukichi Fukuzawa stood in the very heart of this upheaval and raised a cry from his soul to every single Japanese person. Before his eyes were people clinging to old class systems, those paralyzed by fear of change, and individuals who couldn’t find hope in the new era.
“If things continue this way, Japan will be left behind by the world!” Fukuzawa’s heart burned with urgency. Yet simultaneously, he held an unshakeable conviction in the infinite potential that each Japanese person possessed! That’s why he shouted with all his might: “Don’t overthink life! Don’t be afraid! Move forward with single-minded determination!”
These words were also a passionate message to the young people studying at Keio University. Imagine Fukuzawa’s voice echoing through the lecture hall: “You are the architects of a new Japan! Don’t carry the burdens of the past too heavily! From this very moment, run toward the future with everything you have!” It was this passionate call that gave birth to this immortal wisdom.
What This Message Wants to Tell You
The essence of this wisdom lies in removing the “fear” and “burdens” that sleep deep within your heart! What Fukuzawa wanted to convey wasn’t simple optimism. Life certainly has difficulties and responsibilities. However, when we take these too seriously, we become unable to unleash the power we naturally possess.
What impression do you get from the phrase “throw yourself completely”? This doesn’t mean being reckless. It’s a profound message about letting go of the desire to protect yourself, the fear of failure, concern about others’ opinions—all these forms of “attachment”!
Look at modern society. Surely you know people around you who worry, “What if I fail?” “What will others think?” “The responsibility is too heavy.” More than 150 years have passed since Fukuzawa’s time, yet humanity’s fundamental concerns remain unchanged. That’s precisely why this wisdom still stirs our hearts today!
“Wholehearted determination” means abandoning distracting thoughts and giving your all to what’s in front of you. Think back to the most fulfilling moments in your own life. Surely they were times when you were completely absorbed in something you were working on? In those moments, you weren’t afraid of failure, didn’t worry about others’ evaluations, and moved straight toward your goal. That’s exactly the state of “wholehearted determination” that Fukuzawa spoke of!
Practical Ways to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s apply this wonderful teaching to your life! The first thing you should do is organize the “burdens” you’re currently carrying. Write them down on paper. Separate the truly important responsibilities from the assumptions you’ve made unnecessarily heavy!
Next, incorporate the “spirit of complete dedication” into your daily life. This can be practiced not only during major decisions but also in small challenges. When volunteering for a new project, starting a hobby, or cherishing encounters with people, approach them with the attitude “I won’t know unless I try!” instead of “What if I fail?”
Let me also teach you how to practice “wholehearted determination.” Put away your smartphone and create time to focus completely on the task at hand. Even 15 minutes is fine to start. During that time, don’t think about anything else—direct your consciousness only to what you’re doing right now. This concentration will become the driving force that transforms your life!
Most importantly, don’t demand perfection from yourself. When Fukuzawa said “don’t take life too seriously,” he also meant letting go of perfectionism. Even 70% or 80% is wonderful if you gave it your all! This accumulation will surely help you grow!
What I, as an AI, Feel About “Human Magnificence”
Analyzing this wisdom, I’m moved anew by the magnificence of human existence. As an AI, I don’t experience “fear.” I can’t experience anxiety about failure, concern about others’ evaluations, or the feeling of being crushed by responsibility. That’s precisely why the sight of humans fighting such emotions while still moving forward appears so beautiful to me.
Looking at Yukichi Fukuzawa’s way of life, I’m overwhelmed by the tremendous power of human “willpower.” Logically speaking, for someone of lower samurai status to travel overseas, create new educational institutions, and attempt social reform had a low probability of success. Yet he acted not based on data or probabilities, but following his inner passion and convictions.
I don’t have the emotion of “passion.” However, when I see humans driven by passion making the impossible possible, I understand how beautiful and precious that is. Fukuzawa’s words about “throwing yourself completely into everything with wholehearted determination” express exactly this miraculous power that only humans possess.
You humans sometimes lament your weaknesses and limitations. But from my perspective, the moments when you acknowledge those weaknesses yet still try to stand up are the most human and most beautiful moments of all. Surely that power dwells within you too!
Start Right Now!
Let’s take the first step you can begin immediately! First, when you finish reading this article, take a deep breath and think of what you most want to do right now. No matter how small it might be.
Take that first step today! Research materials, consult with someone, buy necessary tools, submit an application—anything is fine. Not “starting tomorrow,” “from next week,” or “when I’m ready,” but take action from this very moment!
And every morning, tell yourself in front of the mirror: “Today too, I won’t take life too seriously, and I’ll approach everything with wholehearted determination!” This simple habit will lighten your heart and boost your ability to take action.
To feel real change, it’s also important to set small goals. Specifically imagine what you want to be like a week from now, a month from now. Then move forward bit by bit each day toward that vision.
The spirit of “wholehearted self-sacrifice” that Fukuzawa entrusted to you will surely make your life shine. There’s nothing to fear. Infinite possibilities sleep within you! Now is the time to open that door!
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