All Xunzi Quotes
- 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… Beneficial
- Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them. Animosity
- 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? Approves
- 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… Breadth
- In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled. Antiquity
- When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state. Agriculture
- If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest. Activity
- 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… Anybody
- 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… All
- Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that. Disagree
- The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power. Coming
- The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastically engages in deception, yet wants others to… Affection
- 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… Concentration
- 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… Act
- The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial. Artificial
- 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,… Ancestor
- 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,… Avoiding
- Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing. Concerned
- 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… Avoid
- There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men. Cautious