Speaking kind words to others is warmer than putting clothes on them; using harsh words to hurt others is deeper than a spear or halberd.

From: "Xunzi Honor and Disgrace" by Xunzi in the Pre-Qin Dynasty

Excerpt: Those who vent their anger are a disaster for people; those who are respectful and thrifty are the enemies of the five soldiers. Although there is the thorn of a spear, it is not as good as the benefit of being respectful and thrifty. Therefore, good words to others are warmer than cloth; hurtful words are deeper than spears and halberds. Therefore, if you cannot walk on thin ground, it is because the ground is uneasy. Those who are in danger and have nothing to do are just talking. If you have a big coating, you will give in, if you have a small coating, you will be in danger. Even if you are not careful, if you are not careful, you will not be able to do it.

Translation: Pride and arrogance are a disaster for people; respect and humility can prevent damage from various weapons. It can be seen that even the sharp points of spears are not as sharp as respect and humility. Therefore, saying kind words to others is warmer than putting clothes on them; using harsh words to hurt others is deeper than a spear or halberd.

So the vast land cannot be stepped on, not because the ground is unstable; there is no place to stand even if you stand on tiptoe, it is because talking is too hurtful. The roads are crowded and the paths are dangerous. Even if you don't want to be cautious, something seems to force you to be cautious. Extended information

Xunzi is the master of the thoughts of the pre-Qin scholars and the first thinker in ancient China to systematically discuss the concept of honor and disgrace. His concept of honor and disgrace had a profound impact on the formation and development of the Chinese nation's concept of honor and disgrace. Xunzi's thought has long been valued by academic circles and has produced numerous research results.

In the "Zheng Lun" chapter, Xunzi put forward the famous concepts of "righteousness", "rightness", "righteousness" and "situation". The three major representatives of Confucianism in the pre-Qin Dynasty, Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi's views on the concept of honor and disgrace are consistent. The concept of honor and disgrace mainly exerts its moral evaluation and selection functions through the motivating function of the sense of honor and the restraining function of the sense of shame. inspiration.