Xun Kuang

Born in Zhao around 310 BCE, Xun Kuang studied at the Jixia Academy in Qi, absorbing every major philosophical school of the Warring States period before traveling to Chu to master poetry. He returned as a celebrated teacher whose students included Han Fei and Li Si - both later architects of Legalism, though their harsh politics diverged from his thought. While other Confucians invoked ancient sages, Xunzi insisted on learning from recent rulers, watching state after state collapse in the wars around him. His writings took on dozens of rivals by name, and his loose definitions of education and ritual stretched them into every corner of life. After serving in Lord Chunshen's court, he died sometime after 238 BCE, leaving behind the Xunzi in remarkably intact form. Misreadings of his "evil nature" doctrine got him dismissed by the Tang dynasty and buried by Neo-Confucianism's rise, until the 20th century pulled him back as the pragmatist Confucianism had underestimated.