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
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true gentleman embodies virtues like generosity and tolerance, which allows him to teach and guide others.
In this quote by Xunzi, he emphasizes the qualities that define a gentleman, highlighting that true ability is complemented by magnanimity, generosity, tolerance, and straightforwardness. These virtues not only elevate the gentleman himself but also create an environment conducive to teaching and influencing others positively, demonstrating that character and moral integrity are essential in effective leadership and interpersonal relationships.
Themes
GentlemanVirtuesAbilityToleranceTeaching
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about leadership qualities, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of moral character.
More from Xunzi
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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In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled.
XunziRead
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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