Xunzi

荀子Qunyan Publishing House · ChinaSep 2020

5.0

Word count: 91K words
Chapters: 33

Summary

Xunzi is the most important work of the Confucian school in the late Warring States period. Xunzi (c. 313–238 BCE), personal name Kuang, was a native of the state of Zhao in the late Warring States period. His contemporaries honored him as Xun Qing; during the Han dynasty, to avoid the personal name of Emperor Xuan, Liu Xun, he was called Sun Qing. At the age of fifty he first traveled to study in the state of Qi, where he served as libationer at the Jixia Academy in Linzi (present-day Zibo, Shandong), the capital of Qi. Slandered, he went to the state of Chu and served as magistrate of Lanling (present-day Lanling County, Shandong). Later he lost office, lived at home, and wrote books setting forth his doctrines; after his death he was buried at Lanling (Xunzi's tomb is in Lanling County). The famous scholars Han Fei and Li Si were both his students. The book Xunzi comprises 32 chapters in all, texts compiled or recorded by him and his disciples of his own and others' words and deeds, though their views are consistent with Xunzi's consistent positions. Among the first 27 chapters, several, such as "On Military Affairs" and "Great Summary," may have been compiled by his students.

Editor's review

As the great synthesizer of pre-Qin Confucian thought, Xunzi's depth and systematicity are often underestimated. Unlike Mencius's doctrine of the goodness of human nature, Xunzi proposes that human nature is evil, holding that people are by nature drawn to benefit and avoid harm and must be educated and regulated through acquired ritual propriety and learning—a view with a more realistic, sober cast. The chapters collected here, such as "Encouraging Learning," "Discourse on Heaven," and "Discourse on Ritual," are tightly reasoned and powerfully argued, revealing the rational and practical side of Confucian thought. Xunzi's exposition of ritual propriety goes beyond mere moral etiquette, elevating it to the fundamental norm of social order and political governance, with far-reaching influence on the political philosophy of the Han dynasty and later ages. Reading Xunzi not only illuminates the tensions within Confucianism but also offers a clear-eyed perspective on human nature and social order. This edition from Democracy and Construction Press offers a reliable text and plain annotations, providing modern readers with a solid entry point.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in pre-Qin thought, especially differences within Confucianism
Social science enthusiasts concerned with social governance, institutional design, and human nature
Readers hoping to draw on classical wisdom to sharpen their reasoning and argumentation
Students and scholars studying ancient Chinese political philosophy and ethics

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting simple, inspirational life guidance
Readers interested only in strongly narrative or plot-driven history

Reading tips

Begin by reading "Encouraging Learning" closely to grasp Xunzi's core view of learning as accumulation and acquired effort
Read "Human Nature Is Evil" alongside Mencius's relevant discussions to appreciate the key divergence within Confucianism
When reading chapters such as "Discourse on Ritual" and "The Regulations of the King," consider their practical orientation in light of the social and historical context of the late Warring States period

About the publisher

Qunyan Publishing House China · Founded in 1989

Founded in 1989, Qunyan Publishing House has long been committed to publishing academic and educational books for mid- and high-level readers, and has built up a certain presence in Eastern philosophy, classical literature, and classic works. Representative titles available in the database include Records of the Grand Historian, Dream of the Red Chamber, Selections of Refined Literature, Complete Song Ci, Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, Record of Daily Knowledge, Taiping Huimin Hejiju Fang, and The Collected Works of Wang Yangming, covering common categories such as ancient poetry, medicine, and examinations. Its author resources include Sima Qian, Cao Xueqin, Xiao Tong, Li Shan, Pu Songling, and Gu Yanwu. The press also offers distinctive series such as the Biographical Series of the China Democratic League and the Historical Documents Series of the China Democratic League, and publishes research on historical documents, biographies, memoirs, and textbooks and academic works by League members. Public information is limited, and its overall publishing scale and complete catalogue require further verification.

版权信息
劝学第一
修身第二
不苟第三
荣辱第四
非相第五
非十二子第六
仲尼第七
儒效第八
王制第九
富国第十
王霸第十一
君道第十二
臣道第十三
致士第十四
议兵第十五
强国第十六
天论第十七
正论第十八
礼论第十九
乐论第二十
解蔽第二十一
正名第二十二
性恶第二十三
君子第二十四
成相第二十五
赋第二十六
大略第二十七
宥坐第二十八
子道第二十九
法行第三十
哀公第三十一
尧问第三十二

FAQ

Does Xunzi's doctrine that human nature is evil mean he is deeply pessimistic?

Not at all. Though Xunzi speaks of human nature as evil, he stresses even more the transformative power of acquired education and ritual and legal restraint; his aim is to achieve good governance through transforming nature by conscious effort, a constructive and practical spirit.

What are the main differences between Xunzi, the Analects, and Mencius?

The Analects consists largely of sayings; Mencius excels in analogy and momentum; Xunzi is distinguished by rigorous system and penetrating argument, with greater emphasis on institutional construction and objective laws ("Heaven's course is constant") and a more rational tone.

Is this edition suitable for readers new to Xunzi?

Yes. This edition provides necessary annotations and an introduction to help readers overcome the obstacles of classical Chinese and grasp the core ideas, making it a relatively reliable introductory text.

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About the author

荀子 Author

Xunzi is one of the representative figures of pre-Qin Confucianism and is generally known by the honorific name "Xunzi"; reliable public information about his real name, native place, and dates of birth and death is limited, making them difficult to verify. The library holds 24 of his works, with representative titles including Xunzi, Fei Shi Er Zi (Against the Twelve Masters), Quan Xue (Encouraging Learning), Fu Guo (Enriching the State), Li Lun (A Discussion of Rites), Xunzi (Fine Public Domain Edition), Jie Bi (Dispelling Blindness), and Tian Lun (A Discussion of Heaven). In terms of subject matter, these pieces span philosophical argument, discussion of ritual institutions, and prose miscellanies. They offer systematic reflection on human nature, Heaven and the Way, and problems of knowledge, while also displaying a rhetorical style that advances step by step and persuasively employs analogies, often using everyday examples to illuminate abstract ideas. His works circulate widely in the categories of Eastern philosophy and philosophical reading, and have had a lasting influence on later Confucian thought and argumentative prose writing.