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
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.
avoid aware bravery death dog drink fearful food greater knowing neither nor scruples strength trying
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.
against anybody chinese-philosopher follows gives led nature quarrels states
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.
chinese-philosopher
A person is born with a liking for profit.
chinese-philosopher human nature
Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
chinese-philosopher concerned sacrifices
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
chinese-philosopher involve later man sees sooner time
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.
chinese-philosopher entire found less tried valuable
I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
born chinese-philosopher envy faith feelings gives good lead violence
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.
chinese-philosopher ease foresight knowledge unify
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
caused chinese-philosopher goodness human nature
Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
chinese-philosopher opens
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
breadth chinese-philosopher danger generally lies tranquil traveler walk
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.
achieve changed chinese-philosopher courtesy guided obey observe principles rules
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.