Quote

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.

Xunzi

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Xunzi
Time
Harm
Later
Detestable
Fact
Involve
Facts
Beneficial
Come
Desirable
Must
Sooner
Something
Reflect
Men
Sees

More quotes by 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
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
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
Xunzi
Image
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
Xunzi
Image
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
Xunzi
Image
Misery is evil quarreling, a misfortune. There is only one possibility of avoiding both: a clear division of society. [Otherwise] the strong tyrannize the weak, the intelligent frighten the stupid, the inferior resist the superior, and the young mock the old.
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
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
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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
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
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
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Xunzi
Image
Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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
You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
Xunzi
Image
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
Xunzi
Image
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
Xunzi
Image
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.
Xunzi