Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
XUNZIWhen 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.
More Xunzi Quotes
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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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The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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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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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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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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?
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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.
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
XUNZI