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.

Quote by Xun Zi

Topics: Xun Zi Quotes

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 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 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...

When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual...

When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual...

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...

Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into...

Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into...

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...

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.

When a man sees something desirable, he must reflect on the fact that with time...

When a man sees something desirable, he must reflect on the fact that with time...

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.

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...

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.

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...

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...

Human nature is what Heaven supplies.

Human nature is what Heaven supplies.

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...

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

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

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...

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

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