鲁迅弃医从文，以文章治疗中国人精神上的麻木，影响代代中国人的思想。在他眼中，中国人的面孔又是怎样的？
在要求天才的产生之前，应该先要求可以使天才生长的民众。譬如想有乔木，想看好花，一定要有好土；没有土，便没有花木了；所以土实在较花木还重要。(《未有天才之前》,1926)
Before we ask for geniuses to be born, we should first ask for a society where geniuses can thrive. This is the same as first having a fertile soil before we can expect to see great plants and flowers. There will be no flora without soil, hence the quality of the soil is first and foremost more important than the flora. (Taken from "Before Geniuses" 1926)
我总觉得洋鬼子比中国人文明，货只管排，而那品性却很有可学的地方，这种敢于指摘自己国度的错误的，中国人就很少。(《两地书之廿九》,1925)
I think westerners are more civilised than Chinese, and there is much to learn from their integrity. Too few Chinese have their fearlessness in criticising the wrongs of their countries.
(Taken from "Book of Two Places, Number 29", 1925)
在中国，尤其是在都市里，倘使路上有暴病倒地，或翻车捽摔伤的人，路人围观或甚至高兴的人尽有，有肯伸手来扶助一下的人却是极少的。(《经验》1933)
In China, especially in the city, when someone gets sick and collapses on the street, or falls off the wagon and gets hurt, there would most likely be more bystanders cding around to look or even taking pleasure in their misfortunes than people who would be willing to lend a helping hand. (Taken from "Experience" 1933)
中国人的性情是总喜欢调和折中的，譬如你说，这屋子太暗，须在这里开一个窗，大家一定不允许的。但如果你主张拆掉屋顶他们就来调和，愿意开窗了。(《无声的中国》,1927)
It is in Chinese's nature to mediate and compromise. Take for instance, if you were to complain that the house is too dark and would need to open a window somewhere here, they would never let you have your way. But if you propose to take the roof down, then they will make a compromise and let you have your window. (Taken from "The Silent China", 1927)
北京的羊肉铺常有几个人张嘴看剥羊，仿佛颇为愉快，人的牺牲能给他们的益处，也不过如此。而况事后走不几步，他们并这一点也就忘了。(《娜拉走后怎样》, 1926)
There would often be a few bystanders standing outside the mutton shops in Beijing, watching sheep being skinned with mouth agape, apparently taking pleasure in what they see. This is all the benefit they can get from another's sacrifice, a little entertainment which they would forget as soon as they walk away.(Taken from "What Happens After Nora Leaves", 1926)
