Read in Korean

Thomas Rainwater’s line from Yellowstone, “There’s no such thing as a good man, Kayce. All men are bad. But some of us try real hard to be good,” is both thought-provoking and humbling. Spoken by a Native American businessman to Kayce Dutton, this line captures the moral complexity of the characters in the drama and resonates deeply with audiences. Yellowstone revolves around the Dutton family, who own the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. The series explores themes of power, greed, loyalty, and morality as the Duttons fight to protect their land from external threats, including Rainwater, who seeks to reclaim what he believes rightfully belongs to his people.

Rainwater’s words reflect a broader truth about human nature—one that feels uncomfortably close to home. It challenges us to look past the simple dichotomy of “good” versus “bad” and instead focus on the struggle to make moral choices in a flawed and complex world.

This struggle is also deeply embedded in Eastern philosophy, which has long debated the nature of humanity. Mencius argued, “Humans are inherently good.” He famously used the example of a child playing dangerously near a well: anyone who sees this would instinctively feel compassion and want to help.

On the other hand, Xunzi took a contrasting stance, claiming, “Humans are inherently inclined toward evil.” To Xunzi, “evil” didn’t mean people are born malicious. Rather, it meant that humans are naturally self-serving, prioritizing their own desires and interests. Left unchecked, this self-centeredness could easily lead to harmful behavior.

Because of this, Xunzi believed in the necessity of rules, laws, and education to guide people. He argued that external structures are essential to curbing human nature and fostering a sense of order and morality. His ideas later influenced the development of Legalism in Chinese philosophy.

History seems to validate Xunzi’s perspective. Since the emergence of private property and social hierarchies, a small minority has always held the majority of wealth and power. Even as societies advance and resources increase, this inequality persists. Such patterns suggest that human nature, in its raw state, isn’t inherently good.

This darker side of human behavior is also evident in unregulated spaces, such as the internet. In environments where anonymity reigns, harmful behaviors like trolling and cyberbullying often emerge. Without rules or accountability, people can easily act in ways that prioritize their own interests at the expense of others.

But does this mean humans are fundamentally evil? Or are we simply selfish beings who act out of self-interest? Perhaps even our virtuous actions stem from a desire for personal benefit. And yet, it’s equally undeniable that humans are capable of altruism—of compassion and selflessness. This duality explains why some of us strive to be “good” despite our flaws.

Rainwater’s statement, “There’s no such thing as a good man. But some of us try real hard to be good,” captures this paradox beautifully. It acknowledges the imperfections of human nature while celebrating the effort to rise above them. Maybe it’s this struggle—the attempt to be good, even when it’s difficult—that makes us truly human.