"All people are two-faced beasts. On the one hand, they are benevolent, righteous and moral, with three cardinal principles and five permanent principles; on the other hand, they are male thieves and female prostitutes, bloodthirsty and lustful. Facing the body of a beautiful woman being cut with a knife, those who come to watch the execution, whether they are gentlemen or virtuous ladies, are all excited by the evil taste. The Lingchi beauty is the most tragic and poignant performance in the world. Those who watch this performance are actually more ferocious than us who hold the knife."
This passage comes from Mo Yan's "Sandalwood Punishment". Facing these trembling performances, fear will emerge in everyone's heart. Even if the fear has reached the limit of their psychological endurance, they still have to rush to see this "performance" without crowds of people, and insist on watching. The "evil" of human nature is fully displayed here.
I have always agreed with Xunzi's proposition that "human nature is inherently evil", just like what is mentioned in the Bible, "I was born in sin, and there was sin in my mother's womb." Each of us is born with "original sin", and should be conscientious and live in the world with a tolerant and grateful heart. But I have to say that this world is not so beautiful. Darkness and death will always occupy our hearts.
