"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"
- Xun Kuang
About this Quote
In this quote, Xun Zi is mentioning that people have natural desires and tendencies to pursue beautiful sights and sounds through their eyes and ears. Nevertheless, if one succumbs to these desires without self-restraint, they may end up being unethical and abandon any concepts or propriety. Hence, Xun Zi is highlighting the importance of self-control and discipline in keeping moral behavior.
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said "Let us pray." We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land"