中国人创造了世界上独一无二的最为广博、持续的文明。他们的语言，无论是口头的还是书面的,近四千来几乎保持不变，将这个辽阔的国家连结在一起，并将过去与现在紧密联系在一起，传达了世界其它任何一个国家都无与伦比的统一的文化。

In contrast, the land of China is one of great geographical diversity. Bordered by mountains, steppes and desserts, the immense central plains are watered by great rivers, supporting a dense population, a large part of which has always been tied to the land, but which has also proved itself extraordinarily skilled in the production of material goods of a high quality.

与此相反，中国又是一个地理上多样性极大的地区之一。山脉、草原、沙漠为疆，被宽阔的河流环绕着的大平原养育着密集的人口，他们始终依恋着这片土地，并且他们以高质量的物质产品显示出他们高超的技能。

In spite of the vast size of the country, and the periodic eruptions of social unrest within or invasion from outside, China’s rulers have always sought a single, strong, unified state administered by an educated elite. The bonds of society have been held in place by language, codes of law, custom and ceremony, as well as by the wide distribution of the products of the arts and manufacturing. 　　

尽管这个国家幅员辽阔，并且内乱外侵不断，但中国的统治者总能通过依靠社会上的杰出人才探索出独一无二、强大和统一的国家管理方式。语言文化、法律法规、风俗习惯，以及艺术与制造产品的广泛交流将这个社会恰当地联系起来