If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
XUNZIMisery is evil; quarreling, a misfortune. There is only one possibility of avoiding both: a clear division of society. [Otherwise] the strong tyrannize the weak, the intelligent frighten the stupid, the inferior resist the superior, and the young mock the old.
More Xunzi Quotes
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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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Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
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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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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one’s inner power.
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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 the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
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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.
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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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Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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Human nature is what Heaven supplies.
XUNZI