View source for Xunzi (philosopher)

{{Short description|Chinese Confucian philosopher (c.310–after 238 BCE)}}
{{About|the Chinese philosopher|his eponymous text|Xunzi (book)}}
{{Infobox philosopher
| name             = Xunzi {{nobold|({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|荀|子}}}})}}<br />Xun Kuang {{nobold|({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|荀|況}}}})}}
| image            = Portrait of Xun Zi.jpg
| caption          = Imaginary portrait of Xunzi, [[Qing dynasty]] (1636–1912), [[Palace Museum]]
| birth_date       = {{circa|310}} BCE
| birth_place      = [[Zhao (state)|State of Zhao]], [[Zhou dynasty]]<br/>Modern-day [[Shanxi]], China
| death_date       = After {{circa|238}} BCE (aged mid 70s)
| death_place      = [[Chu (state)|State of Chu]], [[Zhou dynasty]]
| era              = [[Hundred Schools of Thought]]<br/>([[Ancient philosophy]])
| region           = [[Chinese philosophy]]
| school_tradition = [[Confucianism]]
| notable_students = [[Han Fei]], [[Li Si]]
| main_interests   = [[Ritual]] ([[Li (Confucianism)|Li]]), [[Human nature]], [[Education]], [[Music]], [[Heaven]], [[Dao]], [[Rectification of names]]
}}
{{infobox Chinese
| c = 荀況
| l = 
| p = Xún Kuàng
| w = Hsün<sup>2</sup> K'uang<sup>4</sup>
| gr = Shyun Kuanq
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|x|ün|2|-|k|uang|4}}
| j = Seon<sup>4</sup> Fong<sup>3</sup>
| y = Sèuhn Fong
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|s|eon|4|-|f|ong|3}}
| wuu = 
| tl = Sûn Hóng
| mc = Zwin Xüàng
| oc-bs = *s-N-qʷin [m̥]ang-s
| altname2 = Xunzi
| t2 = 荀子
| s2 = 荀子
| p2 = Xúnzǐ
| gr2 = Shyuntzyy
| w2 = Hsun<sup>2</sup> Tzu<sup>3</sup>
}}

'''Xunzi''' ({{zh|c={{linktext|荀|子}}}}, {{lit|Master Xun}}; {{circa|310|after 238}} BCE), born '''Xun Kuang''' ({{zh|c={{linktext|荀|況}}}}), was a [[Chinese philosophy|Chinese philosopher]] of [[Confucianism]] during the late [[Warring States period]]. After his predecessors [[Confucius]] and [[Mencius]], Xunzi is often ranked as the third great Confucian philosopher of antiquity. By his time, Confucianism had suffered considerable criticism from [[Daoist]] and [[Mohism|Mohist]] thinkers, and Xunzi is traditionally regarded as a synthesizer of these traditions with earlier Confucian thought. The result was a thorough and cohesive revision of Confucianism, which was crucial to the philosophy's ability to flourish in the [[Han dynasty]] and throughout the later history of [[East Asia]].{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 1}} His works were compiled in the eponymous ''[[Xunzi (book)|Xunzi]]'', and survive in excellent condition. Unlike other ancient compilations, his authorship of these texts is generally secure, though it is likely that [[Western Han dynasty]] historian [[Liu Xiang (scholar)|Liu Xiang]] organized them into their present form centuries after Xunzi's death.{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§1 "Xunzi and ''Xunzi''"}}

Born in the [[Zhao (state)|State of Zhao]], Xunzi studied at the prestigious [[Jixia Academy]], where he learned about every major philosophical tradition of his time. After his graduation, Xunzi traveled to Chu where he mastered poetry, and then returned to Qi as a highly regarded teacher at the academy. His students [[Han Fei]] and [[Li Si]] each had important political and academic careers, though some of their [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalist]] sentiments were at odds with his philosophy. Other students such as {{ill|浮丘伯|zh|lt=Fuqiu Bo}}, [[Zhang Cang]] and {{ill|毛亨|zh|lt=Mao Heng}} authored important editions and commentaries on the Confucian classics.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xii}} Later in his life, Xunzi served in the court of [[Lord Chunshen]] and passed away sometime after Lord Chunshen's death. The constant warfare of his time informed his work profoundly, as did his interactions with leaders and witnessing the downfall of various states.

Xunzi's writings respond to dozens of other thinkers, whom he often directly names and criticizes. His well-known notion that "Human nature is evil" has led many commentators to place him opposite of Mencius, who believed human nature was intrinsically good. Though like Mencius, Xunzi believed that education and ritual were the key to self-cultivation and thus the method to circumvent one's naturally foul nature.{{sfn|Cheng|2016|loc=§ "Confucius and Disciples"}} His definition of both concepts was loose, and he encouraged lifelong education and applied ritual to every aspect of life. Other important topics include the promotion of [[music]] and the [[Rectification of names|careful application of names]]. Though he still cited the ancient sages, he differed from other Confucian philosophers by his insistence on emulating recent rulers rather than those of long ago.{{sfn|Cheng|2016|loc=§ "Confucius and Disciples"}}

Repeated oversimplifications and misunderstandings on Xunzi's teachings, particularly his view on human nature, led to gradual dismissal and condemnation of his thought from the [[Tang dynasty]] onwards. By the rise of [[Neo-Confucianism]] in the 10th century, Mencius gradually upended Xunzi, particularly by the choice to include the ''[[Mencius (book)|Mencius]]'' in the [[Four Books]].{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 13}} Since the 20th century, a reevaluation of Xunzi's doctrine has taken place in East Asia, leading to recognition of his profound impact and relevance to both his times and present day.{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§9 "Xunzi’s Reception after His Death"}}

==Sources and context==
Detailed information concerning Xunzi is largely nonexistent.{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 2}} Yet when compared to the scarcity of knowledge for many other ancient Chinese philosophers, there is meaningful and significant extant information on the life of Xunzi.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=3}} The [[sinologist]] John H. Knoblock asserts that the sources available "permit not only a reconstruction of the outlines of career but also an understanding of his intellectual development".{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=3}} Xunzi's writings have survived in exceptionally good condition, and while they provide biographical details, the authenticity of this information is sometimes questionable.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xiii}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=29}}{{efn|{{harvnb|Goldin|1999|p=xiii}} notes that the information on Xunzi in his writings may have never been intended as biographical, and rather served as anecdotes for the sake of teaching.}} In addition to these, the main source for Xunzi's life is [[Sima Qian]]'s ''[[Shiji]]'' ({{lang|zh-Hant|史記}}; ''Records of the Grand Historian''), which includes a biography of Xunzi (''SJ'', 74.12–14) and mentions of him in the biographies of both [[Li Si]] (''SJ'', 78.15) and [[Lord of Chunshen]] (''SJ'', 87.1–2, 14).{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|pp=29–30}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=256}}{{efn|It is worth noting that historical accuracy in the ''[[Shiji]]'' is also sometimes questionable, especially on its coverage of philosophers such as Xunzi.{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§1 "Xunzi and ''Xunzi''"}}}} The [[Western Han dynasty]] historian [[Liu Xiang (scholar)|Liu Xiang]] revised and expanded Sima Qian's initial biography for the preface of the first edition of Xunzi's writings.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}} Some minor references to Xunzi also exist in [[Ying Shao]]'s paraphrase of Liu Xiang's preface, as well as brief mentions in the ''[[Han Feizi]]'', ''[[Zhan Guo Ce]]'' and ''[[Discourses on Salt and Iron|Yantie Lun]]''.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}}{{efn|Scholars such as Wang Zhong and Hu Yuanyi later improved the outline of Xun Quang's life, culminating in a synthesis of information by the [[Qing dynasty]] historian {{ill|Wang Xianqian|de}}.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}} The early 20th century saw a new generation of scholars, particularly from the [[Doubting Antiquity School]], improve the information and as recently as the late 20th century scholars from [[Beijing University]] have improved these outlines further.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}}}}

The [[Warring States period]] ({{circa|475–221 BCE}}), an era of immense disunity and warfare, had been raging for over a hundred years by the time of Xunzi's birth in the late 4th century BCE.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=3}} Yet this time also saw considerable innovations in [[Chinese philosophy]], referred to as the [[Hundred Schools of Thought]]. The primary schools were [[Confucianism]], [[Daoism]], [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalism]], [[Mohism]], the [[School of Names]], and the [[School of Naturalists|Yin–Yang School]].{{sfn|Cheng|2016}} Xunzi was a philosopher in the tradition of Confucianism, begun by [[Confucius]] who lived over two centuries before him.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|pp=xii–xiii}}

==Life and career==
===Youth and time in Qi (c. 310–284)===
[[File:EN-WarringStatesAll260BCE.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Map of China during the [[Warring States period]], 260 BCE]]
Xunzi was born as Xun Kuang ({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|荀|況}}}}), probably around 310 BCE but certainly before 279 BCE.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xiii}} In his time, he was probably known as Xun Qing ({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|荀|卿}}}}), meaning 'Minister Xun',{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=3}} or 'Chamberlain Xun', after his later position.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|pp=xiii–xiv}} Some texts give his surname as [[Sun (surname)|Sun]] (孫) instead of [[Xun (surname)|Xun]], though this may have been to avoid [[naming taboo]] during the reign of [[Emperor Xuan of Han]] (73–48 BCE), whose given name was Xun.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=233, 239}}{{efn|There remains much uncertainty around the reason for variations on Xunzi's surname. See {{harvnb|Knoblock|1988|pp=233–239}} for a detailed overview and other possible explanations.}} He is best known by his honorary title Xunzi ({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|荀|子}}}}) translated to 'Master Xun', with ''[[Zi (title)|zi]]'' being a common [[epithet]] for important philosophers.{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 2}} His birthplace was [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]], a state in the modern-day [[Shanxi]] Province of north-central China.{{sfn|''Britannica''|2017|loc=§ para. 2}} It is possible Xunzi was descended from the Xun family, an elite clan that had diminished following the [[Partition of Jin]], though this is only speculation.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=3–4}} The [[Eastern Han dynasty]] historian [[Ying Shao]] records that in his youth Xunzi was a "flowering talent" in matters of scholarship and academics.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}} Essentially nothing else is known of Xunzi's background or upbringing, and thus any attempts to connect his philosophy with either topic are futile.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=4}}

Sometime between age 13 and 15 (297 and 295 BCE), Xunzi traveled to the north eastern state of [[Qi (state)|Qi]].{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xiii}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=4}}{{efn|Unlike the accounts of [[Sima Qian]] and [[Liu Xiang (scholar)|Liu Xiang]], the record from [[Ying Shao]] states that Xunzi was 48 to 50 when he traveled to [[Qi (state)|Qi]].{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§1 "Xunzi and ''Xunzi''"}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=256}} Most scholars disregard this account.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=256}} See {{harvnb|Knoblock|1982–1983|pp=33–34}} for further information on this matter}} There he attended the [[Jixia Academy]], which was the most important philosophical center in Ancient China, established by [[King Xuan of Qi|King Xuan]].{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|pp=30–31}} At the academy, Xunzi would have learned about all the major philosophical schools of his time,{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=4}} and been in the presence of scholars such as [[Zou Yan]], Tian Pian, and [[Chunyu Kun]].{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=30}} Xunzi would have learned the art of ''shuo'' ({{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|說}}}}), a formal argument of persuasion that philosophical authorities of the time used to advise rulers.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=4}} After his academy study, Xunzi unsuccessfully attempted to persuade [[Lord Mengchang]] against continuing the extreme policies of Qi, though the historicity of this event is not certain.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=4–5}} After the exchange, which is later recounted in his writings, Xunzi likely left Qi between 286 and 284 BCE.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=34}}

===Stay in Chu and return to Qi (c. 283–265)===
Xunzi traveled to the [[Chu (state)|state of Chu]] by 283 BCE,{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=34}} where he probably became acquainted with the nascent forms of the ''[[Fu (poetry)|fu]]'' poetry style, particularly because of the poet's [[Qu Yuan]] residency there.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=7}} Xunzi achieved considerable skill in the art, and his now-lost book of poems was well-regarded for many centuries.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=7}} Chu was under especially frequent attacks from the [[Qin (state)|Qin state]], events which Xunzi would later recount in a conversation with Li Si.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=7}} The solidity of Chu decreased so rapidly that Xunzi left around 275 BCE, returning to the more stable Qi state.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=8}} He was warmly welcomed back in Qi, and held in very high-regard as an intellectual.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=9}} The ''Shiji'' records that [[King Xiang of Qi]] had Xunzi sacrifice wine three times, a task that was reserved for the most respected scholar available.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=11}} The eminence at which he was held suggests that Xunzi became the head of the Jixia Academy, but he is known to have taught there regardless.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=11}} It was at this time that Xunzi composed much of his most important philosophical works, namely the chapters "Of Honor and Disgrace", "Of Kings and the Lords-Protector", "Discourse on Nature", "Discourse on Music", and "Man's Nature is Evil".{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=11}}

In his time, Xunzi was called "the most revered of teachers" (''zui wei laoshi''; {{lang|zh-Hant|{{linktext|最|爲|老|師}}}}).{{sfn|Goldin|2018|loc=§1 "Xunzi and ''Xunzi''"}} His most famous pupils were [[Han Fei]] and [[Li Si]], each who would have important political and academic careers.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xii}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=15}} Xunzi's association with Li Si, the future [[Grand chancellor (China)|Chancellor]] (or Prime Minister) of the [[Qin dynasty]] would later tarnish his reputation.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Xunzi |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Xunzi/ |access-date=2022-05-27 |website=World History Encyclopedia |language=en}}</ref> Other students of his included {{ill|浮丘伯|zh|lt=Fuqiu Bo}}, [[Zhang Cang]] and {{ill|毛亨|zh|lt=Mao Heng}}, all of whom authored important editions and commentaries on the Confucian classics.{{sfn|Goldin|1999|p=xii}} The timeline for his academy teaching is unclear, though he seemed to have considered other posts after being [[Defamation|slandered]].{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=16}} He left Qi in around 265 BCE, around the time when [[Jian of Qi|King Jian]] succeeded Xiang.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=16}}

===Travels and later career (c. 265 – after 238)===
{{quote box|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|width=22em|align=right|quote=Xunzi notes that despite Qin's achievements, it is "filled with trepidation. Despite its complete and simultaneous possession of all these numerous attributes, if one weights Qin by the standard of the solid achievements of True Kingship, then the vast degree to which it fails to reach the ideal is manifest. Why is that? It is that it is dangerously lacking in Ru [Confucian] scholars"|source={{transliteration|zh|[[Xunzi (book)|Xunzi]]}}, chp. 16: "On Strengthening the State", 16.6{{sfn|''Xunzi'' in Knoblock|1990|p=247}}}}

Xunzi's writings suggest that after leaving Qi he visited Qin, possibly from 265 BCE to 260 BCE.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=34}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=17}} He aimed to convert the state's leaders to follow his philosophy of leadership, a task which proved difficult because of the strong hold that [[Shang Yang]]'s [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalist]] sentiments had there.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=17}} In a conversation with the Qin official Fan Sui, Xunzi praised much of the state's achievements, officials and governmental organizations.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=20}} Still, Xunzi found issues with the state, primarily its lack of Confucian scholars and the fear it inspires, which Xunzi claimed would result in the surrounding states uniting up against.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=20–21}} Xunzi then met with [[King Zhaoxiang of Qin|King Zhaoxiang]], arguing that Qin's lack of Confucian scholars and educational encouragement would be detrimental to the state's future.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=20–21}} The king was unconvinced by Xunzi's persuasion, and did not offer him a post in his court.{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=22}}

In around 260 BCE, Xunzi returned to his native Zhao, where he debated military affairs with Lord Linwu ({{lang|zh-Hant|臨武君}}) in the court of [[King Xiaocheng of Zhao]].{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|p=24}} He remained in Zhao until {{circa|255}} BCE.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=34}}

In 240 BCE [[Lord Chunshen]], the prime minister of Chu, invited him to take a position as Magistrate of Lanling ({{lang|zh-Hant|蘭陵令}}), which he initially refused and then accepted. However, Lord Chunshen was assassinated In 238 BCE by a court rival and Xunzi subsequently lost his position. He retired, remained in Lanling, a region in what is today's southern [[Shandong]] province, for the rest of his life and was buried there. The year of his death is unknown, though if he lived to see the ministership of his student Li Si, as recounted, he would have lived into his nineties, dying shortly after 219 BCE.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=34}}{{sfn|Knoblock|1988|pp=31–35}}

==Philosophy==
{{Confucianism}}

===Human nature – ''xing''===
The best known and most cited section of the ''Xunzi'' is chapter 23, "Human Nature is Evil". [[Human nature]], known as ''xing'' ({{lang|zh-Hant|性}}), was a topic which Confucius commented on somewhat ambiguously, leaving much room for later philosophers to expand upon.{{sfn|Knoblock|1982–1983|p=85}} Xunzi does not appear to know about [[Shang Yang]],{{sfn|Graham|2015|p=268}} but can be compared with him. While Shang Yang believed that people were selfish,{{sfn|Pines|2023|loc=}} Xunzi believed that humanity's inborn tendencies were evil and that ethical norms had been invented to rectify people. His variety of Confucianism therefore has a darker, more pessimistic flavor than the optimistic Confucianism of [[Mencius]], who tended to view humans as innately [[Good and evil|good]]. Like most Confucians, however, he believed that people could be refined through education and ritual.{{sfn|Robins|2007|loc=§2 "The Way of the Sage Kings"}}{{sfn|Manson|1987}}
{{Blockquote||text=<poem><!--{{lang|zh|}}-->Now, since human nature is evil, it must await the instructions of a teacher and the model before it can be put aright, and it must obtain ritual principles and a sense of moral right before it can become orderly.</poem>
|source={{transliteration|zh|[[Xunzi (book)|Xunzi]]}}, chapter 23b: "Human Nature is Evil"{{sfn|''Xunzi'' in Knoblock|1994|p=151}}
}}Both Mencius and Xunzi believed in human nature and both believed it was possible to become better, but some people refused it.{{sfn|Goldin|2018}} Mencius saw Xing as more related to an ideal state and Xunzi saw it more as a starting state{{sfn|Goldin|2018}}

Even though Mencius had already died when the book was written, the chapter is written like a conversation between the two philosophers. Xunzi's ideas about becoming a good person were more complex than Mencius's. He believed that people needed to change their nature, not just give up on it. Some people thought Xunzi's ideas were strange, but new discoveries suggest that it might have actually been Mencius who had unusual ideas about human nature.{{sfn|Goldin|2018}}

The chapter is called "Human Nature is Evil," but that's not the whole story. Xunzi thought that people could improve themselves by learning good habits and manners, which he called "artifice." (偽) He believed that people needed to transform their nature to become good. This could be done by learning from a teacher and following rituals and morals.{{sfn|Goldin|2018}}

Even though some people doubt if the chapter is real, it's an important part of Xunzi's philosophy. People still talk about it today and think about the differences between Xunzi and Mencius's ideas about human nature and how to become a better person.{{sfn|Goldin|2018}}

Xunzi only stated that the "heart" can observe reason, that is, it can distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil,<ref>"Exposing the Hidden Chapter": "Therefore, the human heart is like a bowl of water. If it is level and not stirred, then the muddy sediment will settle at the bottom and the clear water will rise to the top. Then one can see the eyebrows and observe reason. If a gentle breeze passes over it, the muddy sediment will be stirred up from the bottom, and the clear water will become turbulent at the top, and then one cannot obtain the correct form of the big picture. The heart is also like this. Therefore, take it away with reason and nourish it with clarity. Nothing can incline it, and it can be used to determine right from wrong and resolve doubts."</ref> but it is not the source of value. So where does the standard come from? According to Xunzi's theory of evil human nature, morality will ultimately become a tool of external value used to maintain social stability and appeal to authoritarianism. Mencius' theory of good human nature, on the other hand, states that humans are inherently good and we have an internal value foundation (the Four Beginnings).

===Music – ''yue''===
[[Music]] is discussed throughout the ''Xunzi'', particularly in chapter 20, the "Discourse on Music" (''Yuelun''; {{lang|zh-Hant|樂論}}).{{sfn|Hutton|Harold|2016|p=269}} Much of the Xunzi's sentiments on music are directed towards [[Mozi]], who largely disparaged music.{{sfn|Cook|1997|p=21}} Mozi held that music provides no basic needs and is a waste of resources and money.{{sfn|Wang|2009|p=654}} Xunzi presents a comprehensive argument in opposition, stating that certain music provides joy, which is indeed essential to human wellbeing.{{sfn|Wang|2009|p=657}} Music and joy are respectively translated as ''yue'' and ''le'', and their connection in Xunzi's time may explain why both words share the same Chinese character: {{lang|zh-Hant|樂}}.{{sfn|Wang|2009|p=657}} Xunzi also points out the use of music for social harmony:

{{Blockquote|
|text=<poem>{{lang|zh|故樂在宗廟之中，君臣上下同聽之，則莫不和敬；閨門之內，父子兄弟同聽之，則莫不和親；鄉里族長之中，長少同聽之，則莫不和順。}}
Hence, when music is performed within the ancestral temple, lord and subject, high and low, listen to the music together and are united in feelings of reverence. When music is played in the private quarters of the home, father and son, elder and younger brother, listen to it together and are united in feelings of close kinship. When it is played in village meetings or clan halls, old and young listen to the music together and are joined in obedience.</poem>
|source={{transliteration|zh|[[Xunzi (book)|Xunzi]]}}, chapter 20: "Discourse on Music"{{sfn|''Xunzi'' in Knoblock|1994|p=81}}
}}

Many commentators have noted the similarities between the reasons for Xunzi's promotion of music and those of [[Ancient Greek philosophy|ancient Greek philosophers]].{{sfn|Hutton|Harold|2016|p=269}}{{sfn|Graham|2015|p=260}}

===Gentleman – ''junzi''===
Ultimately, he refused to admit theories of state and administration apart from ritual and self-cultivation, arguing for the gentleman, rather than the measurements promoted by the Legalists, as the wellspring of objective criterion. His ideal gentleman ([[junzi]]) king and government, aided by a class of erudites (Confucian scholars), are similar to that of Mencius, but without the tolerance of feudalism since he rejected hereditary titles and believed that an individual's status in the social hierarchy should be determined only by their own merit.{{sfn|Robins|2007|loc=§2 "The Way of the Sage Kings"}}

==Modern editions==
* {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Dubs |translator-first=Homer |translator-link=Homer H. Dubs |year=1927 |title=The Works of Hsüntze |publisher=[[Arthur Probsthain]] |location=London |ref=no }} Reprinted (1966), Taipei: Chengwen.
* {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Watson |translator-first=Burton |translator-link=Burton Watson |year=1963 |title=Hsün Tzu: Basic Writings |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |location=New York |isbn=978-0-231-12965-7 |oclc=50803310 |author-mask=2 |ref=no }}
* {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Knoblock |translator-first=John |year=1988–1994 |title=Xunzi: A Translation and Study of the Complete Works |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Stanford |author-mask=2 |ref=no }}
** {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Knoblock |translator-first=John |year=1988 |title=Xunzi: A Translation and Study of the Complete Works |volume=I: Books 1–6 |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Stanford |author-mask=2 |ref=no }}
** {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Knoblock |translator-first=John |year=1990 |title=Xunzi: A Translation and Study of the Complete Works |volume=II: Books 7–16 |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Stanford |ref={{sfnRef|''Xunzi'' in Knoblock|1990}} |author-mask=2 }}
** {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Knoblock |translator-first=John |year=1994 |title=Xunzi: A Translation and Study of the Complete Works |volume=III: Books 17–32 |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Stanford |ref={{sfnRef|''Xunzi'' in Knoblock|1994}} |author-mask=2 }}
* {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Hutton |translator-first=Eric |year=2014 |title=Xunzi: The Complete Text |publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] |location=Princeton |isbn= |doi=10.2307/j.ctt6wq19b |s2cid=246223800 |author-mask=2 |ref=no }}
* {{cite book |author=Xunzi (Xun Kuang) |translator-last=Hu |translator-first=Mingyuan |translator-link=Mingyuan Hu |year=2023 |title=Good Beyond Evil: Xunzi on Human Nature |publisher=Hermits United |location=London and Paris |isbn=978-1-7391156-2-3 |author-mask=2 |ref=no }}

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
'''Books and chapters'''
* {{cite book |last=Goldin |first=Paul Rakita |year=1999 |chapter=Introduction |title=Rituals of the Way: The Philosophy of Xunzi |publisher=[[Open Court Publishing Company]] |location=Chicago |isbn=978-0-8126-9400-0 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=oiliUDp5nJkC}} }}
* {{cite book |last=Graham |first=A. C. |author-link=A. C. Graham |year=2015 |orig-year=1989 |title=Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China |publisher=[[Open Court Publishing Company]] |location=Chicago |isbn=978-0-8126-9942-5 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=QBzyCgAAQBAJ}}}}
* {{cite book |editor-last=Hutton |editor-first=Eric L. |year=2016 |title=Dao Companion to the Philosophy of Xunzi |series=Dao Companions to Chinese Philosophy |volume=7 |publisher=Springer Publishing |location=New York |doi=10.1007/978-94-017-7745-2 |isbn=978-94-017-7745-2 }}
** {{cite book |last1=Hutton |first1=Eric L. |last2=Harold |first2=James |series=Dao Companions to Chinese Philosophy |volume=7 |editor-last=Hutton |editor-first=Eric L. |year=2016 |title=Dao Companion to the Philosophy of Xunzi |chapter=Xunzi on Music |pages=269–289 |doi=10.1007/978-94-017-7745-2_9 |isbn=978-94-017-7743-8 }}
* {{cite book |last=Knoblock |first=John |year=1988 |title=Xunzi: A Translation and Study of the Complete Works |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |location=Stanford |volume=1 |isbn= |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=C_KL80AaV8cC}} }}

'''Journal and encyclopedia articles'''
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Cheng |first=Linsun |year=2016 |orig-year=2009 |encyclopedia=Berkshire Encyclopedia of China |title=Hundred Schools of Thought |publisher=[[Berkshire Publishing Group]] |location=Great Barrington |url-access=subscription |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780190622671.001.0001/acref-9780190622671-e-325 |isbn=978-0-9770159-4-8 }} {{subscription required}}
* {{cite journal |last=Cook |first=Scott |date=1997 |title=Xun Zi on Ritual and Music |journal=[[Monumenta Serica]] |volume=45 |pages=1–38 |doi=10.1080/02549948.1997.11731299 |jstor=40727390 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Goldin |first=Paul R. |date=6 July 2018 |encyclopedia=[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]] |title=Xunzi |publisher=[[Stanford University]] |location=Stanford |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/xunzi/ }}
* {{cite journal |last=Knoblock |first=John H. |date=1982–1983 |title=The Chronology of Xunzi's Works |journal=Early China |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |volume=8 |pages= 29–52|doi=10.1017/S0362502800005435 |jstor=23351544 |s2cid=170890374 }}
* {{cite journal |last=Manson |first=William C. |date=1987 |title=Incipient Chinese Bureaucracy and Its Ideological Rationale: The Confucianism of Hsün Tzŭ |journal=[[Dialectical Anthropology]] |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=271–284 |doi=10.1007/BF00252112 |jstor=29790241|s2cid=143724631 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Robins |first=Dan |date=13 February 2007 |encyclopedia=[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]] |title=Xunzi |publisher=[[Stanford University]] |location=Stanford |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2017/entries/xunzi/ }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Sung |first=Winnie |date=27 June 2018 |orig-date=8 June 2017 |encyclopedia=[[Oxford Bibliographies Online|Oxford Bibliographies]]: Chinese Studies |title=Xunzi |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford |doi=10.1093/OBO/9780199920082-0124 |url=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199920082/obo-9780199920082-0124.xml |url-access=subscription}} {{subscription required}}
* {{cite journal |author=Wang Keping |author-link=Wang Keping (academic) |date=2009 |title=Mozi Versus Xunzi on Music |journal=[[Journal of Chinese Philosophy]] |volume=36 |issue=4 |pages=653–665 |doi=10.1111/j.1540-6253.2009.01548.x |ref={{sfnRef|Wang|2009}}}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |date=9 June 2017 |title=Xunzi &#124; Chinese philosopher |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]] |location=Chicago |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Xunzi |ref={{sfnRef|''Britannica''|2017}} }}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last=Pines |first=Yuri |author-link=Yuri Pines |date=2023 |title=Legalism in Chinese Philosophy |encyclopedia=[[Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy]] |edition=Summer 2023 |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2023/entries/chinese-legalism/ |accessdate=19 February 2024 |editor-last1=Zalta |editor-first1=Edward N. |editor-link=Edward N. Zalta |editor-last2=Nodelman |editor-first2=Uri}}

==Further reading==
''See {{harvnb|Sung|2018}} and {{harvnb|Knoblock|1988|pp=308–322}} for extensive bibliographies''

* {{cite book |last=Cua |first=Antonio S. |author-link=Antonio Cua |year= |title=Human Nature, Ritual, and History: Studies in Xunzi and Chinese Philosophy |series=Studies in Philosophy and the History of Philosophy |volume=43 |publisher=[[Catholic University of America Press]] |location=Washington |isbn=978-0-8132-1385-9 |url={{google books|plainurl=y|id=10lgPpywnyYC}} }}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Cite IEP |url-id=xunzi |title=Xunzi (Hsün Tzu, c. 310—c. 220 B.C.E.) |first=David |last=Elstein }}
* [http://ctext.org/xunzi Full text of the Xunzi] (in Chinese)

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