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

Xunzi

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Xunzi
Ornament
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Merely
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Common
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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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Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by teachers and to be orderly they must acquire ritual and moral principles.
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The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
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Now it is human nature to want to eat to ones fill when hungry, to want to warm up when cold, to want to rest when tired. These all are a part of people's emotional nature.
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If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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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 you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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The nature of man is evil what is good in him is artificial.
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If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not?
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Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
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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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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.
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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?
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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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If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
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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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The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
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Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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