If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
XUNZISacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
More Xunzi Quotes
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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.
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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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In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men’s nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one’s inner power.
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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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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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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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If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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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 noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.
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Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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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One must remember equality, yet also be aware of difference, for if the people are allowed to act as it pleases them without coming up against displeasure, if one gives rein to its desires without setting [any] limit, it becomes confused and can no longer take delight in anything.
XUNZI