"In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled."
"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."
"The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere."
"When you locate good in yourself, approve of it with determination. When you locate evil in yourself, despise it as something detestable."
"In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth."
"Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that."
"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?"
"Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity."
"A person is born with a liking for profit."
"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."
"A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to immorality and lack of restriction, and any ritual principles and propriety will be abandoned."
"Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into quarrels and conflicts, and go against the conventions and rules of society, and will end up a criminal."
"Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teacher's instructions, and guided by principles of ritual. Only then can he observe the rules of courtesy and humility, obey the conventions and rules of society, and achieve order."
"Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion."
"The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power."
"The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound."
"Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them."
"If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony."
"If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity."
"If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction."
"If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest."
"Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same."
"If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others."
"The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastically engages in deception, yet wants others to have affection for him. He conducts himself like an animal, yet wants others to think well of him."
