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There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Scholar
Merely
Public
Successful
Upright
Men
Scholars
Spirited
Cautious
Petty

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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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The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
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Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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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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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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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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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.
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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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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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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.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
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Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.
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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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If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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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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