"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"
- Xun Kuang
About this Quote
This quote by Xun Zi suggests that in order to achieve order in society, a person should first be changed by a teacher's directions and directed by principles of ritual. This suggests that a person needs to be willing to find out and accept the mentors of an instructor in order to understand the guidelines of courtesy and humility, and the conventions and rules of society. By following these teachings, a person can find out to respect and comply with the rules of society, and in turn, achieve order. This quote highlights the significance of education and assistance in order to produce an unified and organized society. It also recommends that a person needs to be willing to discover and accept the teachings of an instructor in order to understand the rules of society and have the ability to abide by them. Ultimately, this quote recommends that education and assistance are essential in order to create a serene and organized society.
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"