Friday, October 31, 2008

Empirical

In a 1793 letter to King George III declining a trade relationship, Chinese emperor Qian Long bragged
our Celestial Empire possesses all things in prolific abundance and lacks no product within its own borders.

and

I set no value on objects strange or ingenious, and have no use for your country's manufactures.

Sounds like one of the big public OPs.

Perhaps its relevant to note that the insular attitude did not ultimately serve China well.

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