Of all commentaries upon the Scriptures, good examples are the best and the liveliest.
—John Donne (1572–1631) English Poet, Cleric
No rules exist, and examples are simply life-savers answering the appeals of rules making vain attempts to exist.
—Andre Breton (1896–1966) French Poet, Essayist, Critic
Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.
—Robert Fulghum (b.1937) American Unitarian Universalist Author, Essayist, Clergyman
There is nothing so annoying as a good example!!
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The conscience of children is formed by the influences that surround them; their notions of good and evil are the result of the moral atmosphere they breathe.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
It is a trite but true definition that examples work more forcibly on the mind than precepts.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.
—Danish Proverb
An ounce of practice is worth a pound of preaching.
—Common Proverb
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He teaches me to be good that does me good.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.
—Steve Jobs (1955–2011) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson
He teaches me to be good who does me good.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
A world of mischief may be done by a single example of avarice or luxury.—One voluptuous palate makes many more.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Friendship: Never explain—your friends do not need it, and your enemies will not believe it anyway. A real friend never gets in your way, unless you happen to be on the way down. A friend is someone you can do nothing with and enjoy it. However much we guard ourselves against it, we tend to shape ourselves in the image others have of us. It is not so much the example of others we imitate, as the reflection of ourselves in their eyes and the echo of ourselves in their words.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach twenty men what were good to be done, than to be one of twenty to follow mine own teaching.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Human models are more vivid and more persuasive than explicit moral commands.
—Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004) American Historian, Academic, Attorney, Writer
It is the glory of the true religion that it inculcates and inspires a spirit of benevolence.—It is a religion of charity, which none other ever was.—Christ went about doing good; he set the example to his disciples, and they abounded in it.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
We are all of us more or less echoes, repeating involuntarily the virtues, the defects, the movements, and the characters of those among whom we live.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
The pulpit teaches to be honest, the marketplace trains to overreaching and fraud—Teaching has not a tithe of the efficacy of example and training.
—Horace Mann (1796–1859) American Educator, Politician, Educationalist
If birds of a feather flock together, they don’t learn enough.
—Robert Half
We are too quick to imitate depraved examples.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
The presence of a noble nature, generous in its wishes, ardent in its charity, changes the lights for us: we begin to see things again in their larger, quieter masses, and to believe that we too can be seen and judged in the wholeness of our character.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
People look at you and me to see what they are supposed to be. And, if we don’t disappoint them, maybe, just maybe, they won’t disappoint us.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
Would you persuade, speak of Interest, not of Reason.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.
—James Baldwin (1924–87) American Novelist, Social Critic
Live with wolves, and you will learn to howl.
—Spanish Proverb
Others will follow your footsteps easier than they will your advice.
—Unknown
Example is a bright looking-glass, universal and for all shapes to look into.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
A wise and good man will turn examples of all sorts to his own advantage. The good he will make his patterns, and strive to equal or excel them. The bad he will by all means avoid.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
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