If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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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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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When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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They are done merely for ornament. … the common people regard them as supernatural.
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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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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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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.
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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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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.
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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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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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Man’s nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial.
XUNZI