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.

Quote by Xun Zi

Topics: Xun Zi Quotes

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

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

The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.

The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.

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...

Pride and excess bring disaster for man.

Pride and excess bring disaster for man.

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...

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.

Human nature is what Heaven supplies.

Human nature is what Heaven supplies.

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...

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,...

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...

I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than...

I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than...

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

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

A person is born with a liking for profit.

A person is born with a liking for profit.

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.

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...

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...

A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for...

A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for...

When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish...

When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish...

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...

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...