Difference. (1) There are different ways to achieve life tasks. Mencius believed that the task of life is to learn and cultivate. Human beings are born with a good nature, but this does not mean that everyone will have good deeds. Good deeds must be maintained and promoted through the influence of the acquired environment. Xunzi believed that human beings are born with the natural attribute of seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages, which will inevitably lead to bad social consequences such as competing with each other and destroying social stability. Therefore, we must rely on acquired power - learning and etiquette to restrain people's desires, so as to make people's hearts good. (2) The connotations of opinions are different. Mencius is an advocate of the theory of good nature. The theory of good nature means that people are born with the possibility of being good. Xunzi advocated the theory of evil nature. He believes: "The evil of human nature and the good are false." Human nature is evil, at least there is the possibility of evil. If it is not restricted, it will develop into evil behavior. (3) Different perspectives for defining human nature. Mencius' definition of human nature is closely related to the difference between humans and animals: the presence or absence of benevolence, righteousness and morality. Mencius used human social and moral attributes to explore human nature. Xunzi’s definition of human nature defines human natural attributes as human essential attributes. He defined the essential attributes of adults by their innate natural attributes. (4) The starting point of moral practice is different. Mencius emphasized the goodness of nature and encouraged the use of moral education to develop "good principles". Therefore, he emphasized that from the inside to the outside, oneself and others, and standardizing the system from spiritual emotions. However, Xunzi emphasized the evil nature, and morality became something to be sought from outside. He believed that people must be moralized through the constraints of external rules and regulations. Relatively speaking, more emphasis is placed on the role of etiquette and law systems. Connection (1) The starting point of the theory of human nature is one-sided. Mencius believed that people are inherently kind. Evil appears because human nature has not developed the "four ends" in its acquired cultivation. Xunzi believes that human nature is simply evil, and people are born with various desires, and these desires are the root of evil. The reason why people can perform good deeds is the result of acquired education and etiquette constraints. (2) All attach great importance to the role of the environment. Mencius believed that the development of the "four hearts and four virtues" depends on the acquired environment. If a person grows up in a good environment, he can evoke the inherent kindness in his nature and make this kindness flourish. Eventually, people become saints. Otherwise, people will behave badly. Xunzi believed that human physiological needs and endless desires are the root of evil, but that ideal personality can be achieved through acquired transformation and practice. Through acquired learning and education, people can effectively curb their natural nature and sublimate their good nature. (3) All theories of human nature contain the idea of ??equality. Xunzi believed that the human nature of saints and ordinary people is the same. We can see the idea of ??equality from it, but this idea of ??equality is only formal equality, but it has historical and progressive significance at the time. The simple ideas of equality fostered by Xunzi and Mencius in their theories of human nature were a powerful guarantee that the landlord class revolution would inevitably occur and win. [3] (4) The fundamental purpose of the view of human nature is the same. Mencius advocated good nature, and his ultimate goal was to make people do good deeds and be happy to do good, which would inevitably bring about social stability and unity and peace in the world. Xunzi advocated evil nature, and he wanted to make people become hypocritical and encourage people to do good deeds. Therefore, all considerations lead to the same goal, and different paths lead to the same destination. Source: Education and Teaching Forum