The noble person uses things; the lesser man is used by things.

- Xunzi

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

- Xunzi

Pride and excess bring disaster for man.

- Xunzi

If you wish to see the thousand years, look at today; if you wish to understand the millionfold, then look at the one or the two.

- Xunzi

Man's nature is evil; goodness is the result of conscious activity.

- Xunzi

The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.

- Xunzi

If there is no dull and determined effort, there will be no brilliant achievement.

- Xunzi

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

- Xunzi

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.

- Xunzi