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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.

Xunzi

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Xunzi
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More quotes by Xunzi

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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 nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.
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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.
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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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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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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.
Xunzi
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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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The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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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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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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
Xunzi
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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.
Xunzi
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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
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If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
Xunzi
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A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violence and crime, and any sense of loyalty and good faith will be abandoned.
Xunzi