Pen Name
He first used Su Beng as his pen name for Taiwan’s 400 Year History in 1962. In choosing his pen name, he wanted to express his motivation for writing Taiwan’s 400 Year History. Su Beng believes that once the Taiwanese people understand their unique history, they will be able to know who they are, what they want for themselves and their nation. The two characters which make up his name are 史 (Hoklo: sú, Mandarin: shĭ)- history and 明 (Hoklo: bêng, Mandarin: míng)-clear. Taken together, these two characters mean, “history clearly”, “to know history clearly.”
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Famous quotes containing the word pen:
“Words are but air; the pen leaves a mark.”
—Chinese proverb.
“Its whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
Or will ye die by my wee pen knife?
Its I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife,
But I’ll rather die by your wee pen knife.
He ‘s killed this may and he ‘s laid her by,
For to bear the red rose company.”
—Unknown. Babylon; or, The Bonnie Banks o’ Fordie (l. 9–14)