Xun Zi quotes - page 2

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)
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
The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
Xun Zi
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
Xun Zi
Learning proceeds until death and only then does it stop. ... Its purpose cannot be given up for even a moment. To pursue it is to be human, to give it up to be a beast.
Xun Zi
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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
The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
Xun Zi
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
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
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)
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
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
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
Xun Zi
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Xun Zi
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
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
A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to immorality and lack of restriction, and any ritual principles and propriety will be abandoned.
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
Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
Xun Zi
A person is born with a liking for profit. (Xun Zi)
When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.
Xun Zi