Ren Jiyu, a life for the cause and a heart for the motherland

A master without a complete collection of works

Now Ren Jiyu has passed away and people found that during so many years of their friendship with him, the old man had never kept others busy for himself. His teacher Xiong Shili commented, “He was honest and credible all his life.”

Zhang Zhiqing, deputy director of the National Library, was deeply impressed by Ren’s 90th birthday celebrations and said, “We had a meeting that day and someone from the administrative office of the library said that it was Ren’s birthday. We prepared to celebrate for him, but he flatly refused. Finally we celebrated his birthday by clapping our hands.”

As matter of fact, no special celebrations were held for his 70th and 80th birthday either. Li Jin, his assistant recollected, “He often told his children that during birthday celebrations, people are likely to say something that doesn’t come from the heart, such as, ‘have a long life.’ It is not necessary.” His students often hoped to publish some works to celebrate his birthday, but he had politely refused them all.

Li added that Ren had never intended to have his complete works published. “He felt that not all of the works one person writes are of high quality. In complete works, exaggeration is unavoidable in places. It is better not to publish them.”

The History of Philosophy in China, a book Ren wrote in his early days, has influenced generations of young people in China. Xie Xizhang, a literary and art critic, is one of them. During 2007, when Xie, as deputy editor-in-chief of Tongxin Publishing House, suggested that this book be republished, however, Ren said to him, “It is not appropriate to republish the book at this time, because many views in it need to be revised. However, I just don’t have time to do this. This is something I must do myself and I can’t ask my students to do it in my place.” Xie also proposed publishing a collection of essays by Ren, but this too was turned down. Xie added, “Ren said there were too many books of this kind. It is no good.” People of younger generations are so deeply moved by Ren’s numerous deeds. His low-profile has become a rarity in academic circles nowadays.

Translated by LOTO