When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.
XunziRead
In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that historical rulers were aware of the inherent flaws in human nature and the need for governance to manage them.
Xunzi's quote reflects the philosophical perspective that human beings are born with negative tendencies, such as selfishness and disorder. It emphasizes the importance of wise leadership and laws in shaping and correcting these tendencies to ensure a just and orderly society, highlighting the role of governance throughout history in managing human behavior.
Themes
Human NatureGovernanceLawlessnessLeadershipPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on ethics, one might use this quote to discuss the nature of human behavior and the role of authority.
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All quotes βWhen 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.
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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?
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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.
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If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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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.
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