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

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Promise
Broken
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Pliable
Rigid
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Bounds

More quotes by Xunzi

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The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
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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.
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
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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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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.
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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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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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If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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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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You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
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Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
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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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I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
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The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
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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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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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They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.
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Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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