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
Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that humans are inherently prone to evil, and that virtuous behavior must be cultivated through conscious effort.
Xunzi, a Chinese philosopher, posits that human nature leans towards evil, implying that without deliberate action to promote goodness, individuals will default to harmful tendencies. This perspective challenges more optimistic views of human nature by asserting that ethical behavior is not innate, but rather a product of social and personal effort.
Themes
Human NatureEvilGoodnessIntentionalityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing moral theories.
More from Xunzi
All quotes →When 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.
XunziRead
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?
XunziRead
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.
XunziRead
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.
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.
XunziRead
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