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fail to acquire a single good quality from abroad. Frivolity of character spreads like a new disease.
When the root is destroyed, where shall the leaves find place to grow? The remedy, then, is steadfastness.
What is sobermindedness? "To possess a constant occupation one must needs have a constant mind." In time of emergency be who is devoid of constancy will lose his presence of mind, whilst at ordinary times he is beset by sloth. In the discharge of his duties an atmosphere of sluggardness is never absent, and an easy nonchalance will frustrate the execution of every design. No man will assume responsibility, but will readily play the part of the supercilious spectator with sarcastic comment. Even one's own duty is ignored as if it were not one's concern. It is then that we can appreciate the full favour of the ancient adage regarding sobermindedness in business. Truly, to rid ourselves of sloth and pride sobermindedness is needed.
I solemnly pledge myself to make these four words my own ideal and to impress them upon my countrymen. May we ever bear them in our minds and keep them on our lips, for no nation can stand save upon the eternal verities which determine right and wrong. However personal tastes may differ, there is an immutable standard of conduct which is embraced by the general truth that he who does his duty and abides by the law is virtuous, while he who transgresses propriety and principle is evil. Would that my fellow-citizens may distinguish between them! It is often said that the advance of civilisation is accompanied by a tendency toward extravagance.
Were this country, in its extremity of weakness and poverty, to imitate other nations in their extravagance but not in their civilisation, it would be as if a sick man were to engage in the lists with an athlete. Of recent years the standard of living in China has steadily increased, while wealth has diminished in like proportions. The adage has it that when the State becomes extravagant frugality must be inculcated. I can but hope that my countrymen will not neglect the duty of frugality as a branch of morals.
In conclusion, if law and morality go hand in hand, this republie will stand on a sure foundation. Respecting the problem of National Defence, China stands in sore need of a period of recuperation and the moment for an armed struggle is not yet. I would, however, fain hope that the army and navy will regard obedience to orders as their obligation and the protection of their fellow-countrymen as their first duty. Every officer realises this fact instinctively, yet the recent tide of rebellion has largely swept away obedience to these two principles, and in this respect I feel that I have failed to exercise a full measure of control. Henceforward, I mean to pay the fullest attention to moral education so that I may not be ashamed to confront my fellow citizens.
Therefore, with the fullest earnestness and good will I declare solemnly to my fellow-countrymen: "As long as I remain President, so long will I perform my duty. The Republic of China belongs to her 400,000,000 citizens. When brethren dwell together in unity, a family prospers. If the whole nation unites in a common purpose, the State will be great. Such, then, is my prayer for the Republic of China.
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