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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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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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Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
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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 rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
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Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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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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If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
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If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
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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 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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Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
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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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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 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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Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
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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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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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