In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.
Xun KuangRead
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the reckless bravery of animals driven solely by basic instincts, highlighting a lack of moral understanding.
Xun Kuang uses the imagery of a dog and a boar to illustrate a type of bravery that is devoid of scruples or fear, primarily motivated by primal urges such as the pursuit of food and drink. This form of courage is described as blind, as it disregards moral considerations and the dangers posed by stronger opponents or larger numbers, suggesting a critique of valiance that lacks higher principles and awareness of right and wrong.
Themes
BraveryInstinctFoodMoralCourage
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be suitable in a discussion about the nature of bravery in human history.
More from Xun Kuang
All quotes →If there were no human nature, then there would be nothing for deliberate effort to be applied to. If there were no deliberate effort, then human nature would not be able to beautify itself.
Xun KuangRead
Pride and excess bring disaster for man.
Xun KuangRead
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 KuangRead
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 KuangRead
Similar quotes
In 'Self Comes to Mind' I pay a lot of attention to simple creatures without brains or minds, because those 'cartooned abstractions of who we are' operate on precisely the same principles that we do.
Antonio DamasioRead
If you stare at a wall from four in the morning till nine at night and you do that for a week, you are getting pretty close to nothingness.
Robert M. PirsigRead
When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Walt WhitmanRead
We want to go forward, but which way are we facing?
John LennonRead
We crave support in vanity, as we do in religion, and never forgive contradictions in that sphere.
George SantayanaRead