Quote

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

Xunzi

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Xunzi
Human
Humans
Intentional
Caused
Goodness
Activity
Evil
Nature

More quotes by Xunzi

Image
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
Xunzi
Image
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
Image
The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
Xunzi
Image
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
Image
In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
Xunzi
Image
Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
Xunzi
Image
Men of all social stations live together: they are equal in their desires, yet vary in their methods they are equal in their passions, yet different in their intelligence that is their nature-given vitality.
Xunzi
Image
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
Xunzi
Image
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
Xunzi
Image
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.
Xunzi
Image
Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
Xunzi
Image
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
Xunzi
Image
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
Xunzi
Image
The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
Xunzi
Image
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
Xunzi
Image
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Xunzi
Image
They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.
Xunzi
Image
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
Image
When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
Xunzi
Image
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