quotations about example
The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.
CHARLES MORELL
The Tales of the Genii
Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done, that did not produce its like.
ROCHEFOUCAULD
Moral Reflections
Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.
GEORGE WASHINGTON
letter to Lord Stirling, Mar. 5, 1780
Example is one of the most potent instructors, though it teaches without a tongue; it is the practical school of mankind, working by action, which is always more forcible than words. Precept may point us the way, but it is silent, continuous example, conveyed to us by habits, and living with us in fact, that carries us along.
SMILES
attributed, Day's Collacon
Yes, we need to make examples. But examples to follow. What we need ... are heroes.
JEAN-JACQUES ANNAUD & ALAIN GODARD
Enemy at the Gates
Precepts guide, but examples drag along.
ROMAN PROVERB
Be a pattern to others, and all will go well: for as a whole city is affected by the promiscuous passions of great men, so it is likewise reformed by their moderation.
CICERO
attributed, Treasury of Spiritual Wisdom
The crime of a bad example is the same whether men follow it or not, because he that gives bad example to others, does what in him lies to draw them into sin; and if they do not follow it, that is no mitigation of his fault.
JOHN TILLOTSON
The Works of the Most Reverend John Tillotson
Sheep follow sheep.
TALMUD
Ketuboth 62
I may do some good before I am dead--be a sort of success as a frightful example of what not to do; and so illustrate a moral story.
THOMAS HARDY
Jude the Obscure
You cannot expect your team to rise above your example.
ORRIN WOODWARD
L.I.F.E: Living Intentionally For Excellence
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves.
TRYON EDWARDS
attributed, Treasury of Spiritual Wisdom
People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy after.
OLIVER GOLDSMITH
The Deserted Village
Happy thou that learnest from another's griefs, not to subject thyself to the same.
TIBULLUS
Carmina
From the loving example of one family a whole State may become loving, and from its courtesies, courteous; while from the ambition and perverseness of the one man the whole State may be thrown into rebellious disorder. Such is the nature of influence.
CONFUCIUS
The Wisdom of Confucius
Example is more forcible than precept; people look at my six days in the week, to see what I mean on the seventh.
LORD BURLEIGH
attributed, Day's Collacon
A good example is the best sermon.
ENGLISH PROVERB
No man is so insignificant as to be sure his example can do no hurt.
LORD CLARENDON
attributed, Day's Collacon
If our words are not consistent with our actions, they will never be heard above the thunder of our deeds.
H. BURKE PETERSON
"Prepare the Heart of Your Son", Ensign, Nov. 1982
No precepts are sufficiently able to enforce what our example tends to destroy.
NORMAN MACDONALD
Maxims and Moral Reflections