Tsinghua University's original motto of 16 is "strive for self-improvement, be virtuous and carry things;" Independent spirit, free thinking. "At present, there are only the first eight words left in Tsinghua University's school motto,' Self-improvement, kindness and morality'.

"Strive for self-improvement, be virtuous and carry things" is extraordinary. The Book of Changes, which became famous all over the world because of Mr. Liang Qichao's speech in Tsinghua, became the school motto.

"Independent spirit, free thinking." It comes from the inscription written by Mr. Chen Yinque, a master of Chinese studies in Tsinghua University, for Wang Guowei's Monument, "... I have no freedom of thought, or I will die. ..... Only this independent spirit and free thought have been worshipped for thousands of years, and they have grown up with the world, making a total of three lights in Yong Guang. "

President Zhou Yichun defined the word 16 as the motto of Tsinghua University, which also reflected his consistent position.