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The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.

Xunzi

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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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Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth is not because the earth is not tranquil but because the danger to every step of the traveler lies generally with words.
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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 gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
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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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The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
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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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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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I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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Human nature is what Heaven supplies.
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If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.
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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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When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
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They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.
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