Xun Zi
Xun Zi
Xun Kuang, also widely known as Xun Zi,, was a Chinese Realist Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States period and contributed to one of the Hundred Schools of Thought...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryChina
chinese-philosopher human nature
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
chinese-philosopher concerned sacrifices
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
chinese-philosopher involve later man sees sooner time
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.
cannot chinese-philosopher human nature people study work
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
chinese-philosopher entire found less tried valuable
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
born chinese-philosopher envy faith feelings gives good lead violence
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.
chinese-philosopher ease foresight knowledge unify
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
caused chinese-philosopher goodness human nature
Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
cannot chinese-philosopher
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
chinese-philosopher opens
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
breadth chinese-philosopher danger generally lies tranquil traveler walk
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.
achieve changed chinese-philosopher courtesy guided obey observe principles rules
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.
believe chinese-philosopher desires eager himself man others petty wants
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.
born chinese-philosopher desires gives immorality lack lead principles ritual sights
A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to immorality and lack of restriction, and any ritual principles and propriety will be abandoned.