This article contains Chinese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of Chinese characters. Xun Zi 荀子 Born 313 BC Died 238 BC (aged 74-75) Chu (state) Nationality Zhao (state) Occupation philosopher Influenced by Confucius Influenced Li Si, Han Fei Opponent(s) Mencius, Zisi Xun Zi (Chinese: 荀子; pinyin: Xún Zǐ; Wade–Giles: Hsün Tzu, ca. 312–230 BC) was a Chinese Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States Period and contributed to one of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Xun Zi believed man's inborn tendencies need to be curbed through education and ritual, counter to Mencius's view that man is innately good. He believed that ethical norms had been invented to rectify mankind..