Xunzi on breath
Xunzi48 quotes“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.”
More from Xunzi
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 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 Man’s nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.
XunziXunzi Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
XunziXunzi
Original quotes
From our community writers
Don’t compare her to sunshine and roses when she’s clearly orchids and moonlight.
Melody LeeMelody Lee Oh moonlight, continue to shine on me. As you light up the sky, maybe some peace will come to me.
ShamaShama Stop counting the reasons why they should be loved and start counting the many reasons why you are the one who is worth loving.
Ayaka HaseAyaka Hase Sure, there are oceans and seas and magnificent things – but none of them are you.
L.T. PhoenixL.T. Phoenix I wish you the wildest of dreams.
Kate WestKate West The way you look at me, The way you make me feel whole, The way you make me feel safe, thats poetry to me.
Barbara GianquittoBarbara Gianquitto You cannot leave and have me too I cannot exist in two places at once-when you ask if we can still be friends.
Rupi KaurRupi Kaur Live to be happy not to impress.
Hayley EvansHayley Evans
Meet the writers
More on breath
I wish to spend a lifetime near a lighthouse where loneliness will be the glimmer of luminous prancing upon ocean waves… rising and falling only for my breathing.
Munia KhanMunia Khan When I used to be on stage, I used to be out of breath; I couldn’t walk that far. Now, I got so much energy. I can do a whole show.
Biz MarkieBiz Markie There is nothing prettier in the whole wide world than a girl in love with every breath she takes.
AtticusAtticus It pains to be insulted every time you breathe when I am your oxygen but you have to wish to breathe.
Dr. Zainab AnsariDr. Zainab Ansari Did you ever take a deep breath and appreciated the people, things and memories that stayed in your life
Laura ChouetteLaura Chouette I think I will always be half a breath between the hurting and the healing.
Sabina LauraSabina Laura The turmoil of her past is blazing my breath.
Rahil KhanRahil Khan She was the freedom of his existence that rushed in like tsunami, that ignited his breaths into calm.
Dr. Zainab AnsariDr. Zainab Ansari
