Premier Mao Chi-kuo today returned to his old elementary school in Taichung City, encouraging students to take enjoyment in learning, have fun in playing, use their imagination, and live everyday to the fullest.
In his address to students of Da Tung Elementary School, the premier borrowed a quote from Albert Einstein: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand."
Premier Mao returned to the school on an invitation from one of its students, Lin Wen-yun, winner of the 2014 Formosa Daughter's Award for special creativity. He also wanted to thank the teachers for their instruction and encourage the young students there. Mao hoped all students can be like Lin and show their care for society through art, creativity or other means.
Thinking about his elementary school days brings back many fun memories of life at Da Tung, the premier told teachers and students. He talked about the school's architectural history, and how some parts have changed while others remained the same. He also hopes to come back more often and wished happy memories to every generation of students there.
To encourage students to develop their interests, Premier Mao demonstrated his calligraphy skills and shared his experiences cultivating that hobby. He had been interested in calligraphy early on and took it up again in college in order to balance heavy engineering studies with something fun from the arts. Through calligraphy, he also learned to appreciate art, music and other forms of aesthetic expression, all of which have been a big help in molding the mind.
"I encourage everyone to develop a hobby because it will enrich your life," he told students.