Through mutual understanding, sincerity and goodwill, and with

In the words of Chen Shui-bian, former leader of Taiwan, we hear a vision both urgent and timeless: “Through mutual understanding, sincerity and goodwill, and with great wisdom and broad views, the leaders on both sides should jointly initiate new opportunities for peace, stability, cooperation and mutual benefit.” These words rise not merely from the mouth of a politician, but from the ancient well of human longing—that the rivalries of men might be tempered by understanding, that the fires of enmity might be cooled by goodwill, and that those entrusted with power might use their wisdom not for domination, but for the peace of nations.

This call to mutual understanding recalls the teachings of the ancients: that no man truly defeats his enemy until he has learned to see him as human. To understand is not to surrender, nor to forget the differences that divide peoples, but to recognize the dignity of the other. In the courts of kings and in the councils of nations, wars have often been born from blindness—blindness to the hopes, the fears, and the honor of those across the table. Yet when eyes are opened, when listening replaces shouting, new paths appear where none were seen before.

Chen speaks also of sincerity and goodwill, those rare treasures more valuable than gold. For treaties may be signed, but if the heart of one side hides deceit, the ink of diplomacy dries into dust. The wise of old taught that goodwill is like water: soft in nature, yet stronger than stone, for it wears down mistrust and nourishes the ground of fellowship. Sincerity is its companion, for without honesty, goodwill becomes flattery, and cooperation becomes a mask for ambition. When leaders act with both, even the hardest conflicts can bend toward harmony.

We are reminded of the tale of Egypt and Israel, bitter foes locked in decades of war. In 1978, under the mediation of President Carter, Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin came together at Camp David. There, through nights of doubt and days of argument, they forged an accord that gave peace where once only blood flowed. It was not victory, nor surrender, but the courage of broad views—leaders willing to think beyond the passions of the moment, seeing not only the land beneath their feet, but the generations yet unborn. Though peace was imperfect and fragile, it was real, and it showed the world what can be wrought when wisdom guides the helm.

Chen Shui-bian’s vision rests also upon great wisdom and broad views. Narrow sight breeds narrow outcomes. Those who see only the present quarrel cannot shape the future; those who count only the gain of their own people cannot secure lasting prosperity. The ancients likened wisdom to the mountain: from its heights, the valleys and rivers can all be seen, and the path forward is clear. Broad views allow leaders to grasp that cooperation multiplies wealth and safety, while division multiplies suffering. Thus, the greatest leaders are not those who conquer, but those who reconcile.

The lesson for us is plain: peace is not born of chance, but of deliberate choice. It begins with listening where we would rather argue, with honesty where deceit would be easier, and with generosity where selfishness beckons. Each of us, though not rulers of nations, are rulers of our own households, our workplaces, our communities. If we cultivate mutual understanding in daily life, if we practice sincerity and goodwill with neighbors, colleagues, and even adversaries, then we lay the foundation for peace that extends from the smallest circle outward to the world.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: be broad in vision, humble in speech, and steadfast in compassion. Support leaders who prize wisdom over pride, cooperation over conflict. Teach your children to see not enemies, but fellow travelers beneath the same sun. And when you stand at the crossroads of division and dialogue, choose dialogue, for therein lies the seed of renewal. Only thus shall we, like the leaders Chen Shui-bian envisioned, jointly initiate new opportunities for peace, stability, and mutual benefit—not for one, but for all.