We must unify Taiwan; we cannot afford to have our society being

The words of Chen Shui-bian, “We must unify Taiwan; we cannot afford to have our society being divided in half,” rise from the crucible of history, a time when the island stood at the crossroads of identity, destiny, and survival. Chen, once president of Taiwan, spoke these words not as mere rhetoric, but as the cry of a leader facing the deep fissures that ran through the heart of his people. The quote carries a universal truth: that no society can endure when it is split against itself. Division is weakness, unity is strength, and the fate of a nation rests on the ability of its people to recognize that they must stand as one.

To understand the origin of this saying, we must look at the turbulent soil from which it arose. Taiwan has long lived in the tension between tradition and modernity, between the memory of old struggles and the aspirations of new generations. In Chen’s time, politics were fierce, pitting parties, identities, and visions for the future against one another. For some, the cry was independence and self-determination; for others, it was the dream of reunification with mainland China. In this storm, Chen’s words were not about one policy alone, but about a deeper truth—that a society divided in half is vulnerable to fear, to conflict, and to the loss of its soul.

History teaches us many lessons on this theme. Recall the fall of Rome. Once mighty and unconquerable, Rome’s decline was not wrought first by barbarians at the gates, but by the crumbling of unity within. Senators quarreled, emperors rose and fell, and the people were split by ambition and corruption. The enemy without found its opportunity only because of the division within. Rome was not destroyed in a single battle; it was undone by the slow, poisonous fracture of its own spirit. So too does Chen’s warning echo across centuries: a divided house cannot stand.

Yet there are also stories of hope, where unity preserved a people against impossible odds. Consider the struggle of South Africa in the late twentieth century. For generations, apartheid carved society into broken halves: the privileged and the oppressed. But when the walls were at last torn down, leaders like Nelson Mandela called not for vengeance, but for unity. He urged his people to see themselves not as divided tribes, but as one nation. It was this vision that prevented the land from descending into endless civil war. Though imperfect, South Africa endured because it heeded the ancient wisdom that strength lies in the weaving together of all voices into a common destiny.

Chen’s words, then, should not be heard only as bound to one island or one age. They belong to the eternal truth of humanity itself. Every nation, every community, every family faces the temptation of division. It is easy to draw lines, to choose sides, to harden hearts. But this path leads only to ruin. To unify is harder—it requires patience, dialogue, and forgiveness—but it is the path that ensures survival. A society unified is like a fortress; a society divided is like a reed in the wind.

The lesson for us all is clear: do not allow divisions of politics, creed, or ambition to tear apart the bonds of fellowship. Cherish differences, yes, but never let them become daggers. Strive always for the common good. In your daily life, this means listening to those with whom you disagree, finding common ground in family, workplace, and community. It means valuing what unites us—our shared humanity—above what separates us. This is how unity is built, stone by stone, heart by heart.

Practical actions lie before us like open roads: practice dialogue instead of accusation, choose collaboration over rivalry, and let compassion guide every decision. Seek not to triumph over your neighbor, but to walk beside them. In doing so, you strengthen not only the bonds of your immediate world but also the very fabric of humanity. For what Chen Shui-bian spoke of Taiwan is true of all peoples: we cannot afford to live forever divided in half. The call of history is always the same—unite, or fall.

Thus, let this teaching be passed on: division is the seed of ruin, but unity is the foundation of destiny. Whether you stand upon the mountains of Taiwan, the plains of Africa, or the streets of your own city, remember this wisdom. A society’s greatness is not measured by its wealth or power alone, but by its ability to remain whole, even when the forces of the world would tear it apart. Unify, and endure. Divide, and be undone.