I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
XUNZIWhen people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
More Xunzi Quotes
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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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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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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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The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.
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You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
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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.
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If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
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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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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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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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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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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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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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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.
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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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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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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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Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.
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Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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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.
XUNZI