A Chinese Philosophy

The Chinese have produced many people they have also been very philosophical. Hence, they have encapsulated their thoughts in' proverbs and. sayings. There is one for every occasion. Here is one which we in the business of local history may take to heart.-

He who hears, forgets; he who sees, remembers; he who does, knows.

Our Society holds monthly meetings, with speakers. Fortunately, our speakers usually illustrate their. talks with slides - and it is these we remember long after the talk is done and the lecturer's name forgotten.

But remembering is not enough: we need to understand, to know', in the words of the Chinese saying. 'Our readers are interested in. our locality or in local history or they would not take 'Local Past' and come to meetings. Because they see the written word and the slides they remember a great deal and can discuss things intelligently. But is it enough? The archaeologist reads books and goes to lectures but he doesn't 'know' until he gets his hands dirty. on an excavation site or handles pottery types or draws his plans and. sections. The local historian does not 'know' the Victorians until he reads their newspapers or studies their censuses or looks at their wills. It is not possible to know about the l7th century until he has interpreted the inventories of deceased parishioners or looked at the by-laws enacted by the manor courts..

There are so many things which 'the man in the street' can do to feel a part of none period of the past. 'To do' is the important thing, -to put skin on the bones of merely listening and reading:. The parishes of our area need a great deal of work devoting to them: much has been done, of course, and that is why those who hare done it know what they are talking. about.

There are lots left to do - fleld walking, recording buildings, and 'monuments, transcribing registers, tax-returns, censuses; searching news-papers, discovering old deeds, commercial papers, photographs. Quite a long list could be got together. It doesn't really matter what it is the important thing is to 'do' something. This is of special importance to the retired and the unemployed. To do is to know and that is a very positive feeling. Sensible people, the Chinese.

Winter 1991 Index