Xunzi

Confucian philosopher who opposed Mencius's optimism, arguing that human nature is originally bad — desires tend toward excess — and that ritual and education impose order on natural tendencies.

Human nature is bad: unrestricted desires produce conflict. Ritual and moral education correct and channel these tendencies. The sage kings invented ritual not discovered it. Developed a theory of zhengming (rectification of names) — language shapes reality and must be controlled. Xunzi's students include Han Fei and Li Si — the Legalists.