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

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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.

Xunzi

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Breath Transit

There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
XUNZI

Caution Merely Petty Scholar Successful Upright
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.

XUNZI

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.
XUNZI

Anybody Conflicts Convention Give led Quarrel
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

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

Gude Instruction Ritual
The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one’s inner power.

XUNZI

The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one’s inner power.
XUNZI

Coming Honor Inner Must One
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.

XUNZI

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
XUNZI

Bravery Daring Fierce Guidance Impulsive Instruction Violent
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.

XUNZI

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.
XUNZI

Become Correct Must Taught Orderly Since
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
XUNZI

Ease Foresight Penetrate Sincerity
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

Drink Fearful Know Over Quarrel Scruples
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

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

Feel Given Them Way
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 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

Approve Conform Even Many Order Pattern Proper
Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.

XUNZI

Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.
XUNZI

Have Having Heard Seen Something
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.
XUNZI

Fill Now One Rest Wantmwam
They are done merely for ornament. … the common people regard them as supernatural.

XUNZI

They are done merely for ornament. … the common people regard them as supernatural.
XUNZI

Merely Ornament Supernatural
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

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

Against Aware Displeasure.One Must Remember People Allow
The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.

XUNZI

The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
XUNZI

Bound Broken Pilable Themselves
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.

XUNZI

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
XUNZI

Devotion Feel Longing

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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More Xunzi Quotes