Of things that come to pass, it is human ill omens that are to be feared…when the government is unstable and loses leadership over the people… when buying food is expensive…when government orders are not clear and policies are not timely…these are called human ill omens. When cultural propriety and righteousness are not cultivated, when insiders and outsiders are not properly differentiated, when men and women engage in perverse, disorderly conduct, then fathers and sons are suspicious of one another, superiors and inferiors desert one another, and bandits (gangs) and other difficulties arrive together – these are called human ill omens. Ill omens thus arise from disorder…and the disasters that follow are most wretched. These are worth marveling at, and also worth fearing.

The Xunzi provides the most comprehensive explanation of Ru philosophy of any single text. Here Xunzi explains the various aspects of the Dao and the importance of li, yi, ren in governing the state and becoming virtuous as an individual. He argues persuasively that human nature is bad, that the proper hierarchy and specialization based on virtue and ability benefits all, that human agency is greater than making appeals to Heaven, and that the pursuit of power and profit must come after prioritizing beautiful culture and moral righteousness.

Listen to Master Dusk Lantern explain the insights of Xunzi by listening to his words below.

Introduction to Xunzi

More podcast on “Xunzi” to come.