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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Activity
Evil
Nature
Human
Humans
Intentional
Caused
Goodness

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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 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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If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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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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There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
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They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.
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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.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
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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.
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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Human nature is what Heaven supplies.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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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 the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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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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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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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.
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The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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