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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

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Xunzi
Recognized
Controlled
Tendencies
Kings
Nature
Lawlessness
Men
Corrected
Antiquity
Sage

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If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
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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.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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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.
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