Xun Zi
Xun Zi
Xun Kuang, also widely known as Xun Zi,, was a Chinese Realist Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States period and contributed to one of the Hundred Schools of Thought...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionPhilosopher
CountryChina
believe chinese-philosopher desires eager himself man others petty wants
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.
born chinese-philosopher desires gives immorality lack lead principles ritual sights
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.
attempting chinese-philosopher travel
The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
chinese-philosopher daring impulse stay
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
becoming chinese-philosopher clouded fear mentally obsessed order properly section understand
In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.
chinese-philosopher far farther high standing toes tried
I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance, but I found that I could see much farther by climbing to a high place.
antiquity bad chinese-philosopher corrected nature recognized sage tendencies
In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
capable chinese-philosopher whether
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
chinese-philosopher desires good harm proper
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?
chinese-philosopher eat fill human nature rest warm
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.
activity chinese-philosopher mind moderate quickness
If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.
acquire chinese-philosopher corrected nature orderly people ritual since taught teachers
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.
blood calm chinese-philosopher humor
If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
chinese-philosopher fantastic human integral music required
Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.