Xun Kuang Quotes

14 Sourced Quotes

If knowledge and foresight are too penetrating and deep, unify them with ease and sincerity.

Xun Kuang
The rigid cause themselves to be broken; the pliable cause themselves to be bound.

Xun Kuang
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.

Xun Kuang
Whether the gentleman is capable or not, he is loved all the same; conversely the petty man is loathed all the same.

Xun Kuang
If the gentleman has ability, he is magnanimous, generous, tolerant, and straightforward, through which he opens the way to instruct others.

Xun Kuang
If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.

Xun Kuang
Those whose character is mean and vicious will rouse others to animosity against them.

Xun Kuang
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.

Xun Kuang
The coming of honor or disgrace must be a reflection of one's inner power.

Xun Kuang
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.

Xun Kuang
If the quickness of the mind and the fluency of the tongue are too punctilious and sharp, moderate them in your activity and rest.

Xun Kuang
There are successful scholars, public-spirited scholars, upright scholars, cautious scholars, and those who are merely petty men.

Xun Kuang
Thus, that one can find no place to walk through the breadth of the earth is not because the earth is not tranquil but because the danger to every step of the traveler lies generally with words.

Xun Kuang
Not having heard something is not as good as having heard it; having heard it is not as good as having seen it; having seen it is not as good as knowing it; knowing it is not as good as putting it into practice.

Xun Kuang