On the riverside road on the left bank of the Seine River in the seventh district of Paris, a common 17th century building is nailed with a common historical building sign in France on the facade, which is simply engraved with a few lines of words: "Voltaire, born in Paris on November 21, 1694, died in this house on May 30, 1778". In February 1778, Voltaire left the French Swiss border town where he had lived for 20 years and spent the last few months of his 84 years in this house. At that time, this ideological fighter who often criticized the European reality by praising the Chinese image had been crowned the "king of French Thought". His philosophical works, novels, poems, dramas and numerous pamphlets, essays and letters criticizing the current evils have been scattered in Europe like raindrops. People who are prudent and judgmental have been passing them around and impressed. Here, celebrities from all walks of life and Parisians came to pay their respects, and as soon as he was free, he buried himself in writing. According to historical records, he worked at his desk in a study on the third floor facing the backyard. A portrait of Confucius, a Chinese thinker whom he admired, was hung above his desk. More than 20 years ago, when writing the item "on China" in the dictionary of philosophy, Voltaire wrote: "I know a philosopher who hung a portrait of Confucius in his study. Under this portrait, he wrote four poems: only reason can benefit intelligence, but sincerity and faith can enlighten the people; sage's words are not premonitory, and all other natives follow the great achievements." Because of his praise for Confucianism, Voltaire also won the nickname of "Confucius in Europe". This enlightenment thinker had a deep look at and exploration of Oriental thought. Nearly two and a half centuries later, Voltaire's name is often seen in France. The French Swiss border town where he spent his later years is now called "fene Voltaire"; Many cities have streets, alleys and squares named after Voltaire; Voltaire's remarks are often quoted by political, commercial, cultural and educational personages, and have also entered the French college entrance examination philosophy composition proposition for many times. In Paris, a marble statue in front of Voltaire's coffin solidifies the life of this literati, philosopher and fighter into eternity in the basement of the pantheon of the saint of the French nation, which commemorates the great man of the French nation: standing tall, staring at the front, holding a quill pen in his right hand and a roll of paper in his left hand, he is always thinking and writing. Visitors stopped to look at it. A couple from the northern industrial zone of France talked quietly with the reporter. They appreciated Voltaire's cry for justice and his clever and spicy words. They also praised his love for Chinese civilization and his persistence and defense of the ideal of human civilization. China is indeed Voltaire's complex. In his dictionary of philosophy, he often affirmed China's strengths. When he wrote "Chinese orphans" with the Chinese Yuan Dynasty drama "Zhao orphans" as the inspiration, he praised the Chinese people's indomitable spirit in the face of violence and barbarism under the influence of Confucian culture. Today, "Voltaire and China" has become one of the subjects of Western China Studies and comparative studies of Chinese and western philosophy. French writer Leia Bessie pointed out that there was a wave of Chinese culture fever in Europe in the 18th century, and the Confucius theory just returned from China by missionaries was particularly attractive. Voltaire transcended the realistic framework and put forward a broader and more inclusive vision of civilization. "Voltaire inspired Westerners to look elsewhere to understand their relationship with the other." Bessie said, "exchanges and mutual learning are bound to benefit each other. Voltaire achieved this by exposing himself to a broader vision of civilization, understanding and appreciating humanism in Chinese philosophy." (Xinhua News Agency)
Edit：Li Ling Responsible editor：Chen Jie
Source：Xinhuanet
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