I accidentally learned that the English translation of Fudan University's motto "自由而无用" is "Nothing But Yourself," and I was very impressed. So I searched and delved into the meaning behind this motto, which also confirmed my long-standing spiritual adherence.
Fudan University: Freedom and Uselessness#
First, let me share what Professor Wang Anyi of Fudan University said at the graduation ceremony:
I suggest that you not only think about being useful, but also think more about the value of being useless. There are already too many useful things in this world, and all causal logic follows the connection and promotion of utility. Those marginal and secondary qualities have broken away from the causal chain and have been eliminated. Life and existence are originally filled with a hazy shape and have elasticity, but now they are increasingly filtered clean, becoming smooth, hard, and singular.
English Translation: Nothing But Yourself#
My understanding of this statement is:
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A "free" person should have at least one thing that belongs entirely to themselves, whether it be their soul or body.
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The brilliance of life lies precisely in those useless things. Continuously doing useful things is extremely boring.
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The principles and spiritual beliefs in our hearts need to be defended! When no one is willing to stand up, please forget about life and death and be born towards the "Way."