Since this was the early period of European sea voyages, and since Ricci had studied mathematics under the famed Christopher Clavius, Ricci thought he could gain access to the court by bringing knowledge of geography, mathematics, and astronomy.
輔大哲學系主任張振東更進一步提醒現代從事文化交流工作者，應效法利氏精神，他說：「文化交流貴在相互尊重，可惜繼利瑪竇之後來華的傳教士不明白這一點，認為允許祭祖敬孔是叛教的行為，應嚴加禁止，遂導致雍正禁教，全面驅逐傳教士。」學問淵博，傾囊相授