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Man's nature is evil goodness is the result of conscious activity.
Xunzi
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Xunzi
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More quotes by Xunzi
Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
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
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
Xunzi
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
Xunzi
They are done merely for ornament. ... the common people regard them as supernatural.
Xunzi
The noble person uses things the lesser man is used by things.
Xunzi
Human nature is what Heaven supplies.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
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.
Xunzi
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
Xunzi
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
Xunzi
Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they will struggle and snatch from each other, and inclinations to defer or yield will die.
Xunzi
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
Xunzi
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
