沁园春 (毛泽东/1936)

北国风光，千里冰封，万里雪飘。
望长城内外，惟余莽莽；大河上下，顿失滔滔。
山舞银蛇，原驰蜡象，欲与天公试比高。
须晴日，看红妆素裹，分外妖娆。

江山如此多娇，引无数英雄竞折腰。
惜秦皇汉武，略输文采；唐宗宋祖，稍逊风骚。
一代天骄，成吉思汗，只识弯弓射大雕。
俱往矣，数风流人物，还看今朝。

While the Chinese seems rather profound and those with very basic command of the language might find it a challenge to decipher that apparent code, this poem bears deep meaning behind it. I shan’t do it for the reader for the onus is on you to either:

  • Search for the transliteration
  • Translate into modern, plain Chinese
  • Improve your command of the language

A country’s fate – its destiny in a host of national issues including economy, society, security, education, and health – lies in the hands of its people. Taking a more pessimistic view of a hedonistic and apathetic people, Mao tapped on the heritage to highlight, relatively, the behemoth challenges the government faces in nation building – mostly the underlying and implicit issues the people have among themselves – a far cry from prosperous ancient times.

I have to concur with Mao. Historically, many countries have seen strong and effective periods of growth and development, and they don’t come easy. They are effects of the people’s sheer hard work, dedication, sharpness, attention and focus. Large numbers of developed countries once had vigilant and diligent communities, but they seem to be engulfed by complacency these days.

富不过三代 (Riches will not last beyond three generations)

This pattern is sometimes cyclical. China experienced that in 1936 when Mao wrote this poem, and started a downhill trend until Deng Xiaoping reopened the economy in 1978. Now they are highly resilient, competitive, and easily outsmart their Western peers in schools, factories, workplaces and seaports. When, however will they get ahead of themselves again?

More saliently, when will the rest of the world understand that our forefathers have worked hard and start being objective and pragmatic for our own survival?