Quote #1

I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study. 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.

More from Xun Zi

  1. The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.
  2. When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable.
  3. In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of trut…
  4. Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that.
  5. 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?
  6. Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity. A person is born with a liking for profit. If he gives way to this, i…
  7. Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion.

All Xun Zi quotes