此書名East And West, 彭定康著,以The Last Governor of Hong Kong 去分析東方與西方之別。
全書分三部分,1) Governing 2) The View From Hong Kong 3) Looking to The Future
而每一個章節,他都會以中國古代詩人,儒家學說,或西方史哲作文章之序。
第一章: Governing
就以湯顯祖的牡丹亭作引子
The Mountains are at their loveliest. And court cases dwindle . The birds I saw off at dawn. At dusk I watch returns Petals from vase cover my seal box The curtain gang undisturbed
原來此世界,他世界。沒有誰比誰高貴。 1998年, 媒體大亨梅鐸就擔心出版此書East And West 會影響其集團在中國擴展的業務計劃,於是制止旗下的HarperCollins為彭定康出版。 此招今天可统领世界,名叫有錢洗得鬼推磨。
第二章: The View from Hong Kong
Is there one single maxim that could ruin a country ?
Confucius replies: ‘Mere words could not achieve this. There is this saying, however: The only pleasure of being a prince is never having to suffer contradiction.” If you are right and no one contradicts you, that’s fine; but if you are wrong and no one contradicts you, is this not almost a case of “one single maxim that could ruin a country”?’
We try desperately to invent ways out, plan how to avoid, the obvious danger that threatens us so terribly. Yet we are mistaken, that’s not the danger ahead: Another disaster, one we never imagined, suddenly, violently, descended upon us, and finding us unprepared- there’s no time now – sweeps us away. From C.P. Cavafy, “Things Ended”
作者指整個過程,他常試去保護和預防,但也看出巨人之潛力,力量之巨大令西方驚歎為一門財路。可是所有生意洽談也存差異性。那就是Freedom of speech 和Rule of law 。 作者深信政府也好,機構也好,稍缺其一,萬劫不復。(明白)
Ordinary mortals know what’s happening now, the gods know what the future holds, because they alone are totally enlightened. Wise men are aware of future things, just about to happen. – From C.P. Cavafy
個人亦如是,無論生活怎有序,也有陰晴圓缺,悲歡離合有時來,控制不了。是失衡,也是一個過程,轉化成新的平衡。 苦惱時,向前行就平衡了。”Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." ~ Albert Einstein