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They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Merely
Regard
Common
Done
People
Ornament
Ornaments
Supernatural

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The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two.
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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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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.
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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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In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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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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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
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Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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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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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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