He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.
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Sun Tzu
If you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner
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Sun Tzu
People can have a long-term life plan only if they know their private property is secure.
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Mencius
Let men decide firmly what they will not do, and they will be free to do vigorously what they ought to do.
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Mencius
I like fish, and I also like bear's paws. If I cannot have the two together, I will let the fish go, and take the bear's paws. So, I like life, and I also like righteousness. If I cannot keep the two together, I will let life go, and choose righteousness.
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Mencius
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.
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Xunzi
If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are many, what harm would they be to good order?
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Xunzi
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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Xunzi
Sacrifice is a state of mind in which our thoughts turn with longing [toward Heaven, the Ancestors], It is the supreme expression of loyalty, love, and respect.
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Xunzi
You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: why not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
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Xunzi
When a man sees something desirable, he must reflect on the fact that with time it could come to involve what is detestable. When he sees something that is beneficial, he should reflect that sooner or later it, too, could come to involve harm.
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Xunzi
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.
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Xunzi
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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Xunzi
Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth is not because the earth is not tranquil but because the danger to every step of the traveler lies generally with words.
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Xunzi
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.
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Xunzi
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
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Xunzi
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
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Xunzi
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
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Xunzi
I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance, but I found that I could see much farther by climbing to a high place.
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Xunzi