Xunzi

Confucian philosopher

Ancient influential 130 sayings

Sayings by Xunzi

The nature of man is evil; his goodness is acquired.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 23, 'The Nature of Man is Evil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If a man's desires are not regulated by the Way, he cannot but dispute with others.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 18, 'Rectifying Names'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Learning is not a matter of a single day or two, but of accumulation.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The frog in the well cannot discuss the ocean, because he is limited by the size of his well.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 2, 'On Self-Cultivation'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

If the qi is not strong, the body cannot be healthy. If the mind is not steadfast, wisdom cannot be complete.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 2, 'On Self-Cultivation'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Heaven has its constant ways. It does not depend on a sage like Yao to exist, nor on a tyrant like Jie to perish.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 17, 'Discourse on Heaven'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The gentleman is cautious about what he does not know, and careful about what he does not see.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 3, 'On Self-Cultivation'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

To be good at learning is to follow the Way; to be good at doing is to practice the Way.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Learning reaches its completion when one has reached the stage of being a sage.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The petty man thinks that to make a small gain is to be wise. The superior man thinks that to make a small loss is to be foolish.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 2, 'On Self-Cultivation'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

No road is too long for one who advances with slow steps; no task is too difficult for one who does not give up.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The gentleman uses things, but is not used by things.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 2, 'On Self-Cultivation'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

A good general does not fight with his troops, but with his strategy. A good king does not govern with his strength, but with his virtue.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 15, 'Debating Military Affairs'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The gentleman is always in awe of the Way of Heaven.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 17, 'Discourse on Heaven'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The nature of man is to desire profit, and if he acts according to this nature, he will contend and snatch.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 23, 'The Nature of Man is Evil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The sage is one who transforms his nature and establishes artifice.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 23, 'The Nature of Man is Evil'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

Without ritual, there is no way to regulate human desires.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 19, 'Discourse on Ritual'
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Music is the harmony of Heaven and Earth.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 20, 'Discourse on Music'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The path to wisdom is to ask about things you don't know.

c. 3rd century BCE — Xunzi, Chapter 1, 'Exhortation to Learning'
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable