Sun Yat-sen

Father of modern China

Modern influential 85 sayings

Sayings by Sun Yat-sen

The great work of national reconstruction must be carried out in three stages: military rule, political tutelage, and constitutional government.

1924 — Fundamentals of National Reconstruction
Controversial Unverifiable

The Chinese people are naturally peace-loving, but they have been forced to resort to violence by the oppression of foreign powers and corrupt government.

1912 — Statement to foreign journalists
Controversial Unverifiable

We must learn from the West, but we must not blindly imitate the West. We must adapt Western knowledge and technology to our own needs and conditions.

Approx. 1920 — Speech on China's modernization
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest danger to China is not foreign aggression, but the lack of unity among the Chinese people.

1923 — Speech to the Kuomintang
Controversial Unverifiable

Our revolution is not only for the Chinese people, but also for all oppressed peoples of the world.

1912 — Statement to international supporters
Controversial Unverifiable

The aim of the revolution is to establish a truly democratic republic in China, where all people are equal and free.

1905 — Manifesto of the Tongmenghui
Controversial Unverifiable

Without revolution, there will be no new China. Without a new China, there will be no future for the Chinese people.

1911 — Speech to revolutionary youth
Controversial Unverifiable

We must awaken the sleeping lion of China and make it roar.

Approx. 1900s — Metaphorical statement in a speech
Controversial Unverifiable

The greatest happiness is to struggle for the happiness of the masses.

Approx. 1920s — General philosophical statement
Controversial Unverifiable

The success of the revolution depends on the unity of all revolutionary forces.

1911 — Speech to revolutionary groups
Controversial Unverifiable

The Chinese people have been oppressed for too long. It is time for them to rise up and claim their destiny.

1911 — Call to action for revolutionaries
Controversial Unverifiable

The world trend is towards democracy and self-determination. China must follow this trend.

Approx. 1920s — Statement on international political trends
Controversial Unverifiable

We must transform China from a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society into an independent, democratic, and prosperous nation.

Approx. 1920s — Vision for China's future
Controversial Unverifiable

The people are the foundation of the nation. Without the people, there is no nation.

1924 — Principle of the People's Livelihood
Controversial Unverifiable

The revolution is not yet complete. All comrades must continue to struggle.

1925 — Last will and testament
Controversial Unverifiable

The establishment of a democratic republic is the only way to save China from destruction.

1911 — Speech to revolutionary leaders
Controversial Unverifiable

The future of China depends on the youth. They must be educated and trained to lead the nation.

Approx. 1920s — Emphasis on education
Controversial Unverifiable

We must use revolutionary means to achieve revolutionary goals.

Approx. 1910s — Advocacy for revolutionary action
Controversial Unverifiable

The people's livelihood is the ultimate goal of the revolution.

1924 — Principle of the People's Livelihood
Controversial Unverifiable

China is not a nation, but a heap of loose sand. We must transform this loose sand into solid rock.

1924 — Lecture on the Three Principles of the People, Nationalism, Lecture Four
Controversial Unverifiable