Xun Zi Quotes


Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity. Xun Zi Nature 280
A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned. Xun Zi Faith 86
Now it is human nature to want to eat to ones fill when hungry, to want to warm up when cold, to want to rest when tired. These all are a part of people's emotional nature. Xun Zi Nature 85
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony. Xun Zi Humor 83
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving. Xun Zi Nature 82
Human nature is what Heaven supplies. Xun Zi Nature 69
In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled. Xun Zi Nature 65
Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion. Xun Zi Music 55
Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order. Xun Zi Society 55
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere. Xun Zi Travel 52
Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by teachers and to be orderly they must acquire ritual and moral principles. Xun Zi Nature 51
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that. Xun Zi Nature 46
Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into quarrels and conflicts, and go against the conventions and rules of society, and will end up a criminal. Xun Zi Society 42
Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they will struggle and snatch from each other, and inclinations to defer or yield will die. Xun Zi Nature 42

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Xun Zi Quotes

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