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The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
Xunzi
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Xunzi
Nature
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Men
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Evil
More quotes by Xunzi
The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
Xunzi
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
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
Xunzi
The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
Xunzi
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
Xunzi
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
Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
Xunzi
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
Xunzi
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
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
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
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
Xunzi
If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
Xunzi
One must remember equality, yet also be aware of difference, for if the people are allowed to act as it pleases them without coming up against displeasure, if one gives rein to its desires without setting [any] limit, it becomes confused and can no longer take delight in anything.
Xunzi
Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
Xunzi
Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
Xunzi
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
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
The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
Xunzi
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
