Xun Kuang Biography

Xun Kuang, Philosopher
Attr: See page for author, Public domain
Born as荀況
Known asXunzi
Occup.Philosopher
FromChina
Born310 BC
State of Zhao, Zhou dynasty (now Shanxi, China)
Died237 BC
State of Chu, Zhou dynasty
Early Life
Xun Kuang, likewise known as Xunzi, was born around 310 BCE in the state of Zhao, in modern-day Henan Province, China. His family came from the lower aristocracy, which permitted him to get a good education. Information about his family and individual life are scarce, but it is understood that he grew up in an age of terrific turmoil and saw the steady disintegration of the Zhou dynasty, in addition to the rise of the powerful Qin and other rival states.

Philosophical Background
Xun Kuang, as a Confucian philosopher, engaged with an intellectual custom that dated back initially to the teachings of Confucius (551-479 BCE) and was additional established by his followers, most especially by Mencius (372-289 BCE). Xunzi was a strong advocate of ritual, order, and discipline as the keys to accomplishing social and political consistency.

While Mencius, a fellow Confucian thinker, believed that humanity is inherently good and can be cultivated through moral education, Xunzi held the opposite view that human nature is inherently evil and required mindful effort, education, and adherence to rituals to be corrected. This debate between Mencius and Xun Kuang's views was among the main debates in Chinese approach, shaping the course of Confucian idea for centuries.

Career and Influence
Xun Kuang spent his early profession studying with various Confucian masters and subsequently taught at the Jixia Academy in the state of Qi. The Jixia Academy drew in prominent thinkers from all over China, leading to robust discussions and the exchange of concepts that helped form Xun Kuang's thoughts. Some of his coworkers and perhaps coaches at the academy included Shen Dao, Zhuangzi, and Mencius. Xunzi later on ended up being a tutor and an adviser to the rulers of the Qi and Chu states.

Aside from mentor and taking part in political affairs, Xun Kuang wrote thoroughly. His magnum opus is the "Xunzi", a collection of his essays advocating for strong federal government, highlighting rituals, and promoting education as a way of developing moral character. His works cover various topics, including principles, politics, education, music, and language.

Xun Kuang's philosophical ideas were so influential that he became one of the most substantial figures in the Confucian custom. His teachings were deeply situated within Chinese culture for centuries, forming Chinese idea and political systems even beyond the end of the Qin dynasty.

Later Life and Death
In his later years, Xun Kuang retired from political life and continued to teach and compose. With the increase of the Qin dynasty, Confucianism started to lose favor, and Legalism - a political approach that emphasized strict adherence to the law instead of the moral example of rulers - acquired prominence. In spite of this, Xun Kuang's works continued to be respected and studied.

Xun Kuang is believed to have died around 237 BCE. Though his passing significant completion of a significant age in Chinese viewpoint, his contributions to the development of Confucian idea and Chinese intellectual history would sustain for centuries. It was not until the Han dynasty that Confucianism restored its appeal and prominence, with a few of Xun Kuang's concepts discovering their method back into mainstream conversation, shaping Chinese culture and society ever since.

Our collection contains 33 quotes who is written / told by Xun.

Related authors: Confucius (Philosopher), Philo (Philosopher), Mencius (Philosopher), Zhuangzi (Philosopher), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

Xun Kuang Famous Works:
Source / external links:

33 Famous quotes by Xun Kuang

Small: The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere
"The person attempting to travel two roads at once will get nowhere"
Small: If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which
"If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others"
Small: If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony
"If the blood humor is too strong and robust, calm it with balance and harmony"
Small: I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study
"I once tried thinking for an entire day, but I found it less valuable than one moment of study"
Small: Pride and excess bring disaster for man
"Pride and excess bring disaster for man"
Small: Now it is human nature to want to eat to ones fill when hungry, to want to warm up when cold, to want t
"Now it is human nature to want to eat to ones fill when hungry, to want to warm up when cold, to want to rest when tired. These all are a part of people's emotional nature"
Small: Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamen
"Music is a fantastic peacekeeper of the world, it is integral to harmony, and it is a required fundamental of human emotion"
Small: Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that
"Mencius said that human nature is good. I disagree with that"
Small: In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obs
"In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth"
Small: In antiquity the sage kings recognized that mens nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being
"In antiquity the sage kings recognized that men's nature is bad and that their tendencies were not being corrected and their lawlessness controlled"
Small: If what the heart approves conforms to proper patterns, then even if ones desires are many, what harm w
"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?"
Small: If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them
"If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest"
Small: If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction
"If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction"
Small: The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of ones inner power
"The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power"
Small: Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by teachers and to be orderl
"Since the nature of people is bad, to become corrected they must be taught by teachers and to be orderly they must acquire ritual and moral principles"
Small: Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing
"Sacrifices are concerned with the feelings of devotion and longing"
Small: Quarreling over food and drink, having neither scruples nor shame, not knowing right from wrong, not tr
"Quarreling over food and drink, having neither scruples nor shame, not knowing right from wrong, not trying to avoid death or injury, not fearful of greater strength or of greater numbers, greedily aware only of food and drink - such is the bravery of the dog and boar"
Small: Thus, anybody who follows this nature and gives way its states will be led into quarrels and conflicts,
"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"
Small: Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same conversely the petty man is loathed a
"Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same"
Small: When a man sees something desirable, he must reflect on the fact that with time it could come to involv
"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"
Small: Therefore, a person should first be changed by a teachers instructions, and guided by principles of rit
"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"
Small: There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those
"There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men"
Small: The rigid cause themselves to be broken the pliable cause themselves to be bound
"The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound"
Small: The petty man is eager to make boasts, yet desires that others should believe in him. He enthusiastical
"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"
Small: I once tried standing up on my toes to see far out in the distance, but I found that I could see much f
"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"
Small: Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving
"Human nature refers to what is in people but which they cannot study or work at achieving"
Small: Human nature is what Heaven supplies
"Human nature is what Heaven supplies"
Small: Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they
"Human nature is such that people are born with a love of profit If they follow these inclinations, they will struggle and snatch from each other, and inclinations to defer or yield will die"
Small: Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity
"Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity"
Small: A person is born with feelings of envy and hate. If he gives way to them, they will lead him to violenc
"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"
Small: A person is born with desires of the eyes and ears, and a liking for beautiful sights and sounds.
"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"
Small: A person is born with a liking for profit
"A person is born with a liking for profit"
Small: If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity
"If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity"