People who inspire me: Part II

One thing that always intrigued me about Catholicism is the idea of patron saints. I believe all of us needs such a figure in our lives, whether religious or not, to inspire and to guide us on the road ahead. The Happiness Project got me thinking - who are my patron saints? Each of the people listed possess qualities that are important to me.

鲁迅：for his vision, his courage to speak up when everyone else stayed silent, how his writings shaped a nation's psyche

Esther Duflo: for her inspirational work in development economics

Jane Goodall: for her dedication to things she is passionate about

Lee Kwan Yew: for his self-confidence, his (measured) outspokenness,  and his emphasis on efficiency and results

My grandfather: for being the most principled man I've ever met, his incredible kindness, his unjaded nature, and even at age 81, preserving a childlike curiosity towards the world

铁屋中的清醒者

周日清晨，我重新拾起了那本早被翻烂的《呐喊》，为的是安抚我浮躁不已的心。

“假如一间铁屋子，是绝无窗户而万难破毁的，里面有许多熟睡的人们，不久都要闷死了，然而是从昏睡入死灭，并不感到就死的悲哀。现在你大嚷起来，惊起了较为清醒的几个人，使这不幸的少数者来受无可挽救的临终的苦楚，你倒以为对得起他们么？”

鲁迅先生的警句就像一把火，照亮了我的视野。21世纪的中国社会，和100年前的动荡乱世比起来，怎是这么相像！100年前，中华民族输在懦弱无能，而如今，我们输在道德败坏！改革开放三十年后，人们腰包鼓了，也顺手把几千年的伦理观念也丢了。我们在学校背了那么多《论语》和《道德经》，可是当看到一个血淋漓的小女孩躺在路上的时候却安心的杨长而过。这样的社会又有什么前途？

最终剩下的只是无奈。