Although he did not finish high school in China, Tung Pok Chin had studied Chinese classical poetry, literature, and history in depth. He could recite portions of the Confucian classics from memory.
Concerned that the FBI's harassment might force his family to relocate to China, Chin made sure that his children, Wilson and Winifred, were fluent in Chinese and knowledgeable about Chinese history and culture. Chin required that his children speak only Chinese at home. He tutored them personally. Each afternoon and evening after the children had completed their public school homework, Chin and his children recited passages from the Confucian classics. The children then copied down the passage in pen and again with calligraphy brushes. Chin also instructed his children in Chinese history, geography, classical poetry, and martial arts.
For a first person account of this see, "Fragments of a Childhood..." by Winifred C. Chin.
"I could never really understand the accusations of the U.S. government
against me. I was hurt. In my heart I felt like an American; America had
been my home for over two decades; my children were born here; I served in
the U.S. Navy; and I was as patriotic as anyone. Now, because of a few
poems and articles, they wanted to deport me. But my worst fear was the
possibility that my children would never truly be a part of Gold Mountain.
No matter how 'American' they were, they too would always look different --
Chinese -- and be easy to single out. That is why I had started to teach
them Chinese. I thought that if the situation ever got too unbearable, then
at least they would have the option of 'returning' to China when they came
of age."
"To me, he was the Chinese equivalent of the European Renaissance man. He knew about everything. . . . He had a love for learning and he instilled it upon us. He loved to learn. He loved to teach. And we knew that. He taught in a way that made things come alive and he wrote in a way that he could preserve everything for the next generation."
Chapter I: "The Master [Confucius] said, 'Is it not pleasant to learn with a constant perserverance and application? 'Is it not delightful to have friends coming from distant quarters? 'Is he not a man of complete virtue, who feels no discomposure though men may take no note of him?' " ....
Chapter IV: "The philosopher Tsang said, 'I daily examine myself on three points: whether, in transacting business for others, I may have been unfaithful; whether, in intercourse with friends, I may have been insincere; whether I may not have mastered and practised the instructions of my teacher.' "
