If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others. Xunzi More Quotes by Xunzi More Quotes From Xunzi I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study. Xunzi study moments thinking Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that. Xunzi nature humans said Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them. Xunzi vicious character mean If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony. Xunzi humor strong blood If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest. Xunzi fluency tongue mind The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things. Xunzi noble use men If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity. Xunzi foresight sincerity ease The drum is surely the lord of music, is it not? Xunzi music-is lord In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled. Xunzi nature kings men Misery is evil; quarreling, a misfortune. There is only one possibility of avoiding both: a clear division of society. [Otherwise] the strong tyrannize the weak, the intelligent frighten the stupid, the inferior resist the superior, and the young mock the old. Xunzi intelligent strong stupid 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. Xunzi humility teacher order Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing. Xunzi longing sacrifice feelings There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men. Xunzi scholar successful men Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same. Xunzi petty gentleman men The nature of man is evil; what is good in him is artificial. Xunzi human-nature evil men If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today; if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two. Xunzi wish two years Quarreling over food and drink, having neither scruples nor shame, not knowing right from wrong, not trying to avoid death or injury, not fearful of greater strength or of greater numbers, greedily aware only of food and drink - such is the bravery of the dog and boar. Xunzi knowing dog numbers When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state. Xunzi agriculture states heaven 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. Xunzi criminals nature giving The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound. Xunzi causes broken promise
