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.
XUNZISince the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by teachers and to be orderly they must acquire ritual and moral principles.
More Xunzi Quotes
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The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial.
XUNZI -
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.
XUNZI -
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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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
XUNZI -
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?
XUNZI -
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
XUNZI -
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
XUNZI -
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
XUNZI -
They are done merely for ornament. … the common people regard them as supernatural.
XUNZI -
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.
XUNZI -
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
XUNZI -
Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
XUNZI -
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.
XUNZI -
Man’s nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.
XUNZI -
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
XUNZI