Quote

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

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Xunzi
Good
Desires
Would
Patterns
Harm
Desire
Order
Approves
Many
Conforms
Even
Conform
Heart
Proper

More quotes by 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
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
The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
Xunzi
Image
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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 gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Xunzi
Image
You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
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
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
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
Xunzi
Image
Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
Xunzi
Image
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
Xunzi
Image
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
Xunzi
Image
The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
Xunzi
Image
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
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