Quote

The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.

Xunzi

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Xunzi
Pliable
Rigid
Bound
Bounds
Promise
Broken
Cause
Causes

More quotes by 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
Image
Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they will struggle and snatch from each other, and inclinations to defer or yield will die.
Xunzi
Image
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.
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
The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
Xunzi
Image
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.
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
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
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
Xunzi
Image
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Xunzi
Image
If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.
Xunzi
Image
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
Xunzi
Image
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.
Xunzi
Image
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
Xunzi
Image
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
Xunzi
Image
I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance, but I found that I could see much farther by climbing to a high place.
Xunzi
Image
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.
Xunzi
Image
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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