For more than two thousand years, the Xunzi has stood as one of the most powerful and provocative works of Confucian thought. Written by Xun Kuang, a master teacher of the late Warring States period, these essays ask a bold question: if human nature is not naturally good, how do we become good at all? His answer is a philosophy of disciplined practice — learning, ritual, music, and the careful training of the heart. Xun Kuang argues that we are shaped by what we study and repeat, and that a well-ordered society depends on ordinary people doing extraordinary work on themselves. This modern edition renders his arguments in clear, present-day English, preserving the force and clarity of the original while making it inviting to read. Whether you come to it for philosophy, for history, or for practical wisdom about habit and character, the Xunzi rewards every reader. Part of The Founding Texts Library.