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.

Quote by Xun Zi

Topics: Xun Zi Quotes

A person is born with a liking for profit.

A person is born with a liking for profit.

A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to...

A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to...

Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by...

Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by...

Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth...

Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth...

Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the...

Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the...

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

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

There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely...

There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely...

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil...

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil...

The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in...

The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in...

If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he...

If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he...

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with...

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with...

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

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

In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies...

In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies...

If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are...

If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if one's desires are...

Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.

Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.

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

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

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious...

If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious...

I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance,...

I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance,...

Pride and excess bring disaster for man.

Pride and excess bring disaster for man.

In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and...

In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and...