Chapter 811 - 99: The scholars are bold, Taoist Sect strides forward_2
"In that case, I’m just a new academic gatekeeper."
"The world is changing; things are not simply black and white. Do you remember when I asked you about the theory of human nature’s innate evil?"
Li Guanyi replied, "Heaven and Earth converge, and all things thrive; Yin and Yang meet, and change arises; stealth nature combines, and the world is governed."
Wang Tong said, "I merely tapped into the ancient strength of Confucianism to momentarily dust off the many schools of thought. But as long as humans exist, there will be selfishness and mixed thoughts. A year or ten years is nothing, but after several decades or centuries, problems will reemerge."
"To solve problems once and for all is a child’s wishful thinking."
"After a hundred years, two hundred years, the same issues will arise again."
"But, fear not. There will always be endless successors."
"Innovate continuously; today’s new will become tomorrow’s old. Constant renewal and smoothing out accumulated evils can lead us further."
Confucianism’s theory of human nature’s innate evil acknowledges human beings’ natural inclinations but also believes that education and self-discipline can lead toward good. Trees may grow twisted but can be guided to become towering straight trees. Steel may rust, but honing can make it sharp.
So, too, with people.
Wang Tong remarked, "What I wanted to accomplish in my youth, I have already done. The path ahead is yours." His fingers gently tapped on the bamboo slip, slowly unfurling it to reveal names one by one.