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The straightening board was created because of warped wood, and the plumb line came into being because of things that are not straight. Rulers are established and ritual and rightness are illuminated because the nature is evil.

— Xunzi Sources of Chinese Tradition (1999)

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More quotes by Xunzi

A questioner asks: If human nature is evil, then where do ritual and rightness come from? I reply: ritual and rightness are always created by the conscious activity of the sages.

Sources of Chinese Tradition (1999)

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.

Fayek S. Hourani (2012)

The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere.

Errick A. Ford (2010)

In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.

Joan Klostermann-Ketels (2011)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Xunzi (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.