Quote

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

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Bravery
Fierce
Instruction
Guidance
Impulse
Violent
Stay
Daring

More quotes by Xunzi

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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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.
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Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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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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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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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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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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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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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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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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If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two.
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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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If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
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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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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.
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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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