The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial.
XUNZIA 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.
More Xunzi Quotes
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Since 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.
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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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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 -
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
XUNZI -
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.
XUNZI -
Human nature is what Heaven supplies.
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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 -
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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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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I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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Man’s nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.
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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.
XUNZI