On the basis of biological, sociological, and historical

The philosopher and reformer Hu Shih, a voice of wisdom in modern China, once declared: “On the basis of biological, sociological, and historical knowledge, we should recognize that the individual self is subject to death or decay, but the sum total of individual achievement, for better or worse, lives on in the immortality of The Larger.” In these words, he reminds us of a truth both humbling and exalted: that while each of us as a person must perish, the echoes of our actions reverberate beyond our graves, carried into the vastness of human history.

Hu Shih speaks first with the realism of science. Biology teaches us that the body withers, that death claims all flesh without exception. Sociology and history teach us that communities change, leaders fall, and empires crumble. No king, however mighty, escapes the mortality of the individual self. Yet, Hu Shih does not end with despair. He declares that though the self dies, the deeds, ideas, and creations of individuals flow into something greater—into the river of humanity, into what he calls The Larger, the immortal totality of civilization.

Consider the example of Confucius, who lived more than two thousand years ago. His bones turned to dust long ago, his body perished as all bodies do. But his achievements—his teachings on virtue, family, and governance—entered into The Larger. They shaped dynasties, molded cultures, and still guide millions today. Confucius the man is gone; Confucius the influence is immortal. This is what Hu Shih means: the individual dies, but the work of the individual endures, whether for good or for ill.

Indeed, history bears witness not only to noble contributions, but also to destructive ones. Hitler perished, his body consumed by fire and time, yet the scars of his hatred remain in the memory of nations and in the lessons carved into the conscience of mankind. Hu Shih reminds us that the immortality of The Larger is impartial—it carries forward all deeds, both dark and luminous. Thus, our choices matter, for they ripple outward far beyond our own lifespan.

The meaning of his words is both a warning and an invitation. If the individual self is destined to vanish, then to live only for self is folly, for it is to invest in what cannot last. But if the fruit of our labor, our words, our art, our kindness, or our cruelty, will be carried into the future, then we must live with awareness. Every act joins the great tapestry of The Larger. The question is not whether we will leave an inheritance to the future, but what kind of inheritance it will be.

The lesson for us, O seeker of wisdom, is this: live not in fear of death, but in reverence for legacy. Your body will fail, your name may fade, but the impact of your life cannot be erased. Every book written, every injustice opposed, every kindness given, every child taught—these will flow into The Larger, shaping the destiny of humanity. Therefore, choose carefully the seeds you sow, for others will reap the harvest.

Practical action lies before you. Do not waste your life in pursuits that perish with the flesh. Invest in knowledge, in justice, in service, in love. Contribute to the immortality of The Larger with deeds that uplift, not degrade. Remember that though you are mortal, you are also a builder of eternity, for eternity is nothing more than the accumulation of mortal acts made timeless.

Thus, let Hu Shih’s words echo in your heart: the individual self decays, but the sum of achievements endures in The Larger. Live, then, as if your every choice were destined to outlast you—because it is. In this way, death loses its sting, for though your body perishes, your life becomes woven into the undying story of humankind.