“A person is born with a liking for profit.”
- Xun Zi
“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.”
“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.”
“Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.”
“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.”
“Human nature is what Heaven supplies.”
“Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving.”
“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.”
“I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study.”
“If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.”
“If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony.”
“If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.”
“If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.”
“If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.”
