Xun Zi Quotes (38 quotes)

Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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?“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Human nature is what Heaven supplies.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„A person is born with a liking for profit.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„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.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.“
― Xun Zi ―
Picture of quotation author Xun Zi
„Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.“
― Xun Zi ―

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Author information

Xun Zi
Nationality: Chinese
Author Profession: Philosopher

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