Duality of humans

The Confucian philosopher Xunzi once said, “ That which one has within oneself, one is sure not to go outside oneself for it. Looking at it in this way, people desire to become good because their nature is bad” (Pg 251). These words exhibit his profound understanding of human nature and our pursuit of goodness and morality, in which he captivates a dualistic understanding of human potential and desire. From the previous quote, the paradox of human nature can be seen, in which he explains the desire to become good comes from our awareness of our inherent flaws. He demonstrates this by articulating how the poor long to be rich, the low person longs to be noble, etc. This was quite thought-provoking because his observations allowed me to understand how recognizing our self-deficiencies leads to the progression of self-betterment within ourselves, Ultimately making our pursuit of goodness and morality not only something external but a personal journey rooted within the understanding of our own nature. This resonated with me because it forces not only myself but also others to reflect and think about learning ourselves and how to become better as a person. It also forces us to contemplate past, present, and future life decisions, compelling us to take the transformative journey toward moral improvement. In summary, Xunzi shows how our desires and natural inclinations are connected. He guides us toward an understanding that our path toward virtue is deeply rooted in an honest recognition of our nature. Through his perspective, he ignites a spark that illuminates and transforms our understanding of ourselves.