Carved in stone, the Jiaxun Tablet at Peking University holds a story. It speaks of a time when China yearned for a new path. The Jiaxun Tablet embodies this yearning, its inscription a testament to the values that shaped modern China.
The Jiaxun Tablet stands on the grounds of Peking University. It’s a quiet observer of the university’s vibrant history. This history is deeply intertwined with the May Fourth Movement of 1919. This movement, a student-led uprising, sought to modernize China. It embraced “Mr. Science” and “Mr. Democracy” as guiding principles. The Jiaxun Tablet’s inscription, “Modesty fosters virtue, talent and moral character combined”, reflects these ideals.
The inscription was taken from an important figure in the movement, Chen Duxiu. He believed that science and democracy were essential to lifting China out of its “darkness”. He saw these principles as the path to a new era. He envisioned a China rooted in its present reality, not in nostalgia for the past. A statue commemorating Mr. Science and Mr. Democracy stands on the Peking University campus. This serves as a constant reminder of the movement’s legacy. Chen Duxiu was a lecturer at the university, and a young Mao Zedong was among his students.
The Jiaxun Tablet’s message is simple yet profound. It emphasizes the importance of humility in the pursuit of knowledge and progress. It suggests that true achievement comes from a combination of talent and moral character. This message resonated deeply with the students of the May Fourth Movement. They sought not only scientific advancement but also democratic reform. They believed that these two forces together could transform China.
The Jiaxun Tablet stands as a symbol of this hope. It serves as a reminder of the intellectual and political ferment that shaped modern China. It embodies the spirit of the May Fourth Movement, with its call for progress, democracy, and a new national identity. The tablet encourages us to reflect on the enduring power of these ideals.