All Xun Zi Quotes
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.
Xun Zi
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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?
Xun Zi
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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
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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.
Xun Zi
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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.
Xun Zi
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The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
Xun Zi
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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
Xun Zi
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
Xun Zi
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Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
Xun Zi
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If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
Xun Zi
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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
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There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
Xun Zi
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