Get 30 FREE sermons.

Sermon Illustrations > Trust > Ask Me Something in Chinese

Ask Me Something in Chinese


John F. Parker in Washington Roll Call, Reader's Digest, May, 1981

William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of State in Woodrow Wilson's Cabinet, was interviewing a man who was seeking a diplomatic post in China. Bryan warned the applicant that it was necessary to qualify as a linguist. "Can you speak the Chinese language?" he asked.

The man was equal to the occasion. Looking Bryan squarely in the eye, he replied, "Try me. Ask me something in Chinese."