Xun Zi

Confucianism revolves around cultivating the way of a "jun zi" (righteousness/gentlemen) and developing a moral character. Since Confucius, these ideas have influenced later masters such as Menicius (Meng Zi), who argues that "human nature" itself is good. On the other hand, Xun Zi argued against Meng Zi that "human nature" is evil. However, Xun Zi believed that everyone has the potential to become a sage; the perfected form of a gentlemen. From this assumption, there is a larger presence of the religious aspect in Xun Zi's teachings. In a Western form, the sage is more of a person with un-natural power, who cannot be corrupted by the world and his "perfected" ways of a "jun zi" cannot be "bent".  These "powers" that Xun Zi described gave a mythical and god-like character to the sage.

Another idea that Xun Zi contradicts previous Confucianism philosophers is that it is not necessary for a son to follow his father. This is critical since Confucianism stresses on filial piety for a righteous person. According to Xun Zi, if a demand from a father would cause destruction and a different path could bring harmony, then the son should choose the path that would bring harmony. Though this may sound logical and practical, Confucius may argue that the father is perfect and wise; his words would not deceive and mislead his son. In the Analects, the father is often portrayed as the wiser character and the son still has lots to learn. The father, to Confucius, is also a teacher and therefore will not provide a corrupted path for his son. Otherwise, he would not be considered to be a father.