I say that human nature is the original beginning and the raw material, and deliberate effort is what makes it patterned, ordered, and exalted. Xun Kuang More Quotes by Xun Kuang More Quotes From Xun Kuang The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere. Xun Kuang roads person will travel Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity. Xun Kuang human-nature goodness nature evil The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastically engages in deception, yet wants others to have affection for him. He conducts himself like an animal, yet wants others to think well of him. Xun Kuang think man animal believe In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth. Xun Kuang picture understand truth fear Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that. Xun Kuang good human-nature nature said The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound. Xun Kuang bound themselves cause broken 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 Kuang bad nature kings men I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study. Xun Kuang day moment study thinking If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others. Xun Kuang others ability gentleman way Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same. Xun Kuang loved man capable gentleman If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction. Xun Kuang stay fierce guidance bravery 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 Kuang person society humility teacher Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing. Xun Kuang longing concerned devotion feelings 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 Kuang eyes born beautiful way 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 Kuang your rest tongue mind If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity. Xun Kuang them deep sincerity knowledge Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them. Xun Kuang others will character mean 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 Kuang good loyalty hate faith 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 Kuang teachers bad nature people When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable. Xun Kuang yourself good you determination
