Example has more followers than reason.—We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.—A generous habit of thought and action carries with it an incalculable influence.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
I think it’s an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person’s life in a positive light, and that’s what I want to do. That’s what it’s all about.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
Example moves the world more than doctrine. The great exemplars are the poets of action, and it makes little difference whether they be forces for good or forces for evil.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
A man is fortunate if he encounters living examples of vice, as well as of virtue, to inspire him.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
Without heroes, we are all plain people and don’t know how far we can go.
—Bernard Malamud (1914–86) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Judgement can be acquired only by acute observation, by actual experience in the school of life, by ceaseless alertness to learn from others, by study of the activities of men who have made notable marks, by striving to analyze the everyday play of causes and effects, by constant study of human nature.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Learn to see in another’s calamity the ills which you should avoid.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
‘Tis no shame to follow the better precedent.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
Nothing is so infectious as example, and we never do great good or evil without producing the like. We Imitate good actions by emulation, and bad ones by the evil of our nature, which shame imprisons until example liberates.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be one uniting all working people, of all nations, and tongues, and kindreds. Nor should this lead us to a war upon property, or the owners of property. Property is the fruit of labor; property is desirable; is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich and, hence, is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus, by example, assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Emulation is a noble and just passion, full of appreciation.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
From the errors of others, a wise man corrects his own.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
We blacks look for leadership in men and women of such youth and inexperience, as well as poverty of education and character, that it is no wonder that we sometimes seem rudderless… . We see basketball players and pop singers as possible role models.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Imitation is a necessity of human nature.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Our chief want in life is somebody who will make us do what we can.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Example is not the main thing in influencing others—it’s the only thing.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Philosopher, Musician, Physician
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
I studied the lives of great men and famous women; and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
Very few men are wise by their own counsel, or learned by their own teaching; for he that was only taught by himself had a fool as his master.
—Ben Jonson (1572–1637) English Dramatist, Poet, Actor
There is a difference between imitating a good man and counterfeiting him.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
One filled with joy preaches without preaching.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
People never improve unless they look to some standard or example higher and better than themselves.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
To be ignorant of the lives of the most celebrated men of antiquity is to continue in a state of childhood.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Nothing arouses ambition so much in the heart as the trumpet-clang of another’s fame.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
One does not become a guru by accident.
—James Fenton (b.1949) English Poet, Journalist
Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
The action of a fool cannot serve as a precedent.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
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