--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man's nature is evil; goodness is the…" description: "\"Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.\" — Xunzi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg" --- # Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious… ![“Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.” quote by Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg) > “Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.” [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human nature tends toward selfishness; goodness arises only through deliberate, conscious effort and moral cultivation. **In simple terms:** People are naturally selfish; goodness is chosen. Key Takeaway Practice conscious moral effort. Themes human nature morality consciousness ethics self‑improvement Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - education - leadership - community building - legislation - personal development Key Concepts philosophy ethics social theory Questions to Reflect On - How can societies nurture conscious goodness? - What practices foster moral awareness? A Different Perspective Some argue innate goodness exists. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Conscious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conscious/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-goodness-2619244/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Man Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-nature/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-evil-911728/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) ## Related quotes > [Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/human-nature-is-evil-and-goodness-is-caused-by-intentional-activity/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That in man which cannot be domesticated is not his evil but his goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/that-in-man-which-cannot-be-domesticated-is-not-his-evil-but-his/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [Up until today evil has lured goodness into evil, but goodness has not been able to lure evil into goodness. This may be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-myung-moon/up-until-today-evil-has-lured-goodness-into-evil-but-goodness-has-not/) [Sun Myung Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-myung-moon/) > [The chief beginning of evil is goodness in excess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/menander/the-chief-beginning-of-evil-is-goodness-in-excess/) [Menander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/menander/) > [Evil is thus a kind of parasite on goodness. If there were no good by which to measure things, evil could not exist. Men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/evil-is-thus-a-kind-of-parasite-on-goodness-if-there-were-no-good-by/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Nothing is of its nature evil, and nothing is of its nature good. Evil is only excess, good is simply balance. All things are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-parsons/nothing-is-of-its-nature-evil-and-nothing-is-of-its-nature-good-evil/) [John Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-parsons/) > [Nature is not evil. The world occasionally shrugs its shoulders, and people get knocked off. The earth, for geological reasons that are well known,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-winchester/nature-is-not-evil-the-world-occasionally-shrugs-its-shoulders-and/) [Simon Winchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-winchester/) > [The process of nature cannot be evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-process-of-nature-cannot-be-evil/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [The truest definition of evil is that which represents it as something contrary to nature; evil is evil because it is unnatural; a vine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/the-truest-definition-of-evil-is-that-which-represents-it-as/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [The true nature of evil is that it is so very casual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-st-james/the-true-nature-of-evil-is-that-it-is-so-very-casual/) [James St. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-st-james/) > [“Say to yourself first thing in the morning: today I shall meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, aggressive, treacherous, malicious, unsocial. All this has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/say-to-yourself-first-thing-in-the-morning-today-i-shall-meet-people/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“How do we still believe that human nature is not evil when 60 years old men rape 3 years innocent girls?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/how-do-we-still-believe-that-human-nature-is-not-evil-when-60-years/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [I don't think that humans are, in our nature, we're evil or anything like that. But I do think there's a demon in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-peele/i-don-t-think-that-humans-are-in-our-nature-we-re-evil-or-anything/) [Jordan Peele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-peele/) > [It is also important to understand that a hidden nature is not always an evil nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-goodman/it-is-also-important-to-understand-that-a-hidden-nature-is-not-always/) [Alison Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-goodman/) > [...in the ways of Nature there is no evil to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/in-the-ways-of-nature-there-is-no-evil-to-be-found/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## More by 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/if-you-wish-to-see-the-thousand-years-look-at-today-if-you-wish-to/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/the-nature-of-man-is-evil-what-is-good-in-him-is-artificial/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/if-there-is-no-dull-and-determined-effort-there-will-be-no-brilliant/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/not-having-heard-something-is-not-as-good-as-having-heard-it-having/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/they-are-done-merely-for-ornament-the-common-people-regard-them-as/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/the-drum-is-surely-the-lord-of-music-is-it-not/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/you-look-upon-the-seasons-with-expectation-and-await-them-wy-not/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/sacrifice-is-a-state-of-mind-in-which-our-thoughts-turn-with-longing/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) > [The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/the-noble-person-uses-things-the-lesser-man-is-used-by-things/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/one-must-remember-equality-yet-also-be-aware-of-difference-for-if-the/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/men-of-all-social-stations-live-together-they-are-equal-in-their/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/misery-is-evil-quarreling-a-misfortune-there-is-only-one-possibility/) [Xunzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) [Explore all 13 Xunzi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/) ## More Activity quotes > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/) [Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/) > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/) [Gero Miesenbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gero-miesenbock/) > [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/) [Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/) > [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) [Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Xunzi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-result-of-conscious-activity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Activity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-result-of-conscious-activity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/658/xunzi-35969_activity_man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-res_2156569.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.” — Xunzi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Xunzi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xunzi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Man's nature is evil; goodness is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-result-of-conscious-activity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xunzi/man-s-nature-is-evil-goodness-is-the-result-of-conscious-activity/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```