Chapter 464 - 238: Debate and Controversy, The Female Master is Moved_4
Is it not evident that the so-called postnatal education is actually innate? In that case, if people can be taught to be good, it is because they inherently possess goodness, a good root, a good starting point. Isn’t this then human nature?
Wan Yan Wu Hai’s remarks once again plunged the crowd into contemplation.
Those who initially supported Jiang Shouzhong’s view unconsciously acknowledged Wan Yan Wu Hai.
Facing the counterargument, Jiang Shouzhong was not in the least bit flustered and smiled, saying,
"You previously said, ’Lay down the butcher’s knife, and instantly become a Buddha,’ but if everyone is inherently good, who would pick up the butcher’s knife in the first place?"
Wan Yan Wu Hai’s expression drastically changed.
Jiang Shouzhong continued, "The cultivation that you and I speak of requires teaching and restraint to learn, and only then comes goodness. But let me ask you, does doing evil require teaching? Does it need to be learned?
If I bully someone, covet a woman, or eye someone’s treasure... are these evils something I learned?
The court bans certain romantic novels from circulating in the marketplace, yet many people still eagerly pursue them. Is this taught?
You say that if everyone is evil, then everyone is selfish. I agree. But precisely because of this, no one can afford to be selfish. From this restraint and balance, moderation arises, and this is the earliest source of goodness..."