Xun Zi Quotes

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 Zi

Him, Others, Deception

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 Zi

Faith, Good, Hate

In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.
Xun Zi

Truth, Fear, Small

If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Xun Zi

Through, Others, Gentleman

Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.
Xun Zi

Music, Human, Emotion

Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
Xun Zi

Nature, Evil, Human

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

Beautiful, Person, Him

The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.
Xun Zi

Broken, Themselves, Cause

When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
Xun Zi

Teacher, Moral, Principles

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

Mind, Rest, Tongue

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.
Xun Zi

Place, Far, Once

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.
Xun Zi

Strength, Food, Death

The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.
Xun Zi

Power, Honor, Reflection

I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.
Xun Zi

Thinking, Study, Moment

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 Zi

Nature, Men, Bad

Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
Xun Zi

Feelings, Concerned, Longing

Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.
Xun Zi

Character, Mean, Others

When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.
Xun Zi

Good, Yourself, Evil

If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
Xun Zi

Knowledge, Deep, Sincerity

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
Xun Zi

Bravery, Stay, Guidance

Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
Xun Zi

Same, Loved, Whether

A person is born with a liking for profit.
Xun Zi

Person, Born, Liking

If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.
Xun Zi

Humor, Strong, Calm

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

Nature, Tired, Emotional

There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.
Xun Zi

Men, Successful, Petty

Share with your Friends

Everyone likes a good quote - don't forget to share.

Biography

Nationality: Chinese

Type: Philosopher

Born: 310 BC

Died: 237 BC

Links

Find on Amazon: Xun Zi

Cite this Page: Citation

Popular Topics

Friendship Quotes

Motivational Quotes

Inspirational Quotes

Related Authors

Confucius
Lao Tzu
Sun Tzu
Mencius
Zhuangzi
Xi Zhi
Hu Shih
More

Get Social with BrainyQuote

BrainyQuote Desktop

BrainyQuote Mobile

Site

Quote of the Day

Social

BQ on Pinterest

Syndication

Funny Quote Feed

Love Quote Feed

Nature Quote Feed

About Us