Xunzi may refer to:
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.
Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing.
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.
Sacrifice is a state of mind in which our thoughts turn with longing [toward Heaven, the Ancestors], It is the supreme expression of loyalty, love, and respect.
Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.
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.
When you concentrate on agriculture and industry and are frugal in expenditures, Heaven cannot impoverish your state.
If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Men of all social stations live together: they are equal in their desires, yet vary in their methods; they are equal in their passions, yet different in their intelligence; that is their nature-given vitality.
The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.
Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they will struggle and snatch from each other, and inclinations to defer or yield will die.
If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.
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.
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.
You look upon the seasons with expectation and await them: wy not seize the seasonal opportunities and exploit them?
They are done merely for ornament. . . . the common people regard them as supernatural.
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
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.
Human nature is what Heaven supplies.