The most important skill to learn is how to learn.

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.

与孟子不同，荀子主张“性恶”，认为人性本恶。因而更强调人为的作用，通过后天的人为的努力才能达到“善”。没有本性那么人为的努力就不能对症下药，没有人为的努力，本性就不能改善。所以主张“性伪合”，天生的本性和后天的努力对人都有重要影响，而后天的努力更为重要，它是我们能够自己掌控的，“学不可以已”的意义就更大。

A man's real possession is his memory. In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.