Xun Zi – 19 Quotes

19 Quotes by Xun Zi

The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.

– Xun Zi

When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.

– Xun Zi

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.

– Xun Zi

The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one’s inner power.

– Xun Zi

Human nature is what Heaven supplies.

– Xun Zi

Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.

– Xun Zi

Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.

– Xun Zi

Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.

– 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

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

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

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

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

Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.

– Xun Zi

If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.

– Xun Zi

If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.

– Xun Zi

In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.

– Xun Zi

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.

– 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