Xunzi on achieve
Xunzi48 quotes · See all“Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.”
More from 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.
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
XunziXunzi If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
XunziXunzi If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
XunziXunzi 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 have affection for him. He conducts himself like an animal, yet wants others to think well of him.
XunziXunzi 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?
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
XunziXunzi There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
XunziXunzi Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi 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.
XunziXunzi When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
XunziXunzi
Original quotes
From our community writers
My heart keeps room for you always even when you can’t be here.
Holly DuxburyHolly Duxbury You are seeing humanity at its worst and best. A collision of the circumstance.
Samantha King HolmesSamantha King Holmes Treat her like a dream. Follow her, pursue her, and always remind her that you’ll never give up on her.
Jenny AJenny A I care but I’m done trying. I love but I’m done showing.
Divya khandalDivya khandal Never feel defined by your size, measures, and beauty standards.
Jacklyn TysonJacklyn Tyson The wild is always changing like a reminder. You do not have to be the same to be beautiful.
Sabina LauraSabina Laura Bees and butterflies in my belly with you on my mind they chase each other around.
Jenny WinbladhJenny Winbladh I long for you but you long for someone else, I deny the one who wants me cause I want someone else.
Rupi KaurRupi Kaur
Meet the writers
More on achieve
Not at all. Once they have achieved equality, they will be your masters . . .
Cato the ElderCato the Elder The courage to work, the courage to achieve – to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?
Kwame NkrumahKwame Nkrumah Those who try to achieve success without hard work ultimately deceive themselves-or worse-deceive others.
Tim CookTim Cook Always, Always have a plan
Rick RiordanRick Riordan Courage is the capacity to meet the anxiety which arises as one achieves freedom. It is the willingness to differentiate, to move from the protecting realms of parental dependence to new levels of freedom and integration.
Rollo MayRollo May I motivate others by making sure that they understand to go after their dreams and dont let anyone tell you you cant. If you are motivated enough and put the work in that you can achieve anything in life that you set your mind to.
Magic JohnsonMagic Johnson As yet we know nothing of what goes to create or evoke the active spark of life.
Bram StokerBram Stoker Thus I have hopes of being able to achieve something of value through my current studies or with any new ideas that come in the future.
John Forbes NashJohn Forbes Nash
