Men trust their eyes rather than their ears; the road by precept is long and tedious, by example short and effectual.
The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.
The first precept in Buddhism is "Do not kill." This precept is not merely a legalistic prohibition, but a realization of our affinity with all who share the gift of life. A compassionate heart provides a firm ground for this precept.
Example teaches better than precept. It is the best modeler of the character of men and women. To set a lofty example is the richest bequest a man can leave behind him.
Jesus was short on sermons, long on conversations; short on answers, long on questions; short on abstraction and propositions, long on stories and parables; short on telling you what to think, long on challenging you to think for yourself.
Example is the best precept.
Example is better than precept.
Example is more powerful than precept.
Example, not precept, is the best teaching aid.
Example is always more efficacious than precept.
Brotherhood is an ideal better understood by example than precept!
The central activity of leadership is teaching - first by example, second by precept.
To disarm a zealot, teach him truth by precept, and mildness by example.
My dad was a tough man. I think that would be putting it mildly. Short on praise, short on communications. Long on leading by example. Lots of integrity, and lots of passion for things. But he was a tough guy.
Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are a thousand who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances.
The right of holding slaves is clearly established in the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and example.