Xun Zi
Xun Zi, also known as Hsun Tzu, was a prominent Chinese philosopher of the Warring States period, born around 310 BCE in the state of Zhao.
He is revered for his significant contributions to Confucian thought, particularly his interpretation of human nature and ethics. Unlike his predecessor Mencius, who maintained an optimistic view of human nature, Xun Zi argued that humans are inherently self-interested and require education and societal structures to cultivate virtue and morality.
His works, most notably the "Xunzi," articulate a vision of governance that promotes order and discipline, emphasizing the importance of rites and laws in shaping human behaviour. Through pragmatic realism, Xun Zi sought to address the tumultuous challenges of his time, making him a pivotal figure in Chinese philosophy and an essential voice in the discourse on ethics and politics.
Editors Pick
All Quotes by Xun Zi
Quarreling over food and drink, having neither scruples nor shame, not knowing right from wrong, not trying to avoid death or injury, not fearful of greater strength or of greater numbers, greedily aware only of food and drink - such is the bravery of the dog and boar.
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Xunzi
In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
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Xunzi
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.
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Xunzi
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
Men of all social stations live together: they are equal in their desires, yet vary in their methods; they are equal in their passions, yet different in their intelligence; that is their nature-given vitality.
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Xunzi
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
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Xunzi
Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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Xunzi
If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.
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Xunzi
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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Xunzi
Misery is evil; quarreling, a misfortune. There is only one possibility of avoiding both: a clear division of society. [Otherwise] the strong tyrannize the weak, the intelligent frighten the stupid, the inferior resist the superior, and the young mock the old.
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Xunzi
If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today; if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two.
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Xunzi
One must remember equality, yet also be aware of difference, for if the people are allowed to act as it pleases them without coming up against displeasure, if one gives rein to its desires without setting [any] limit, it becomes confused and can no longer take delight in anything.
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Xunzi
The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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Xunzi
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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Xunzi
When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
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Xunzi
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.
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Xunzi