Chinese idiom · 成语
以身作则
Meaning
To lead by example; to set a model with actions.
Character by character
Origin and story
ethical expressionThe principle behind this expression is familiar from the Analects: when a leader's own conduct is upright, people respond without being ordered; when it is not, commands fail to secure their cooperation. That passage explains the ethical idea but does not contain the exact four-character idiom. An exact literary use appears in chapter 25 of Ba Jin's Family, describing Xu Qianru as a pioneer who takes action despite obstacles. The expression brings the principle into everyday language: one's own behavior becomes the example others can follow. It applies as naturally to parents and teachers as to public leaders.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
为了让孩子少看手机，爸爸决定以身作则，吃饭时先把手机收起来。
To encourage his child to use the phone less, Dad decided to lead by example and put his own phone away at meals.
Praises practicing the behavior you expect from others, rather than only telling them what to do.