An ounce of example is better than a ton of precept
A plainer variant of this saying is that ‘example’ is better than precept. This is absolutely true and wholesome. Most of us are imitative, particularly youth. It is common to experience that children copy their parents. They have neither the will nor the capacity to understand instructions. The large masses of people also are children in this sense. They understand what behaviour they see. A verse in the holy Gita rightly says that the example of great men is followed by people who are under an obligation to act and behave in an exemplary manner. The importance and effectiveness of the example are seen in the tendency to illustrate in writing and, more in staging dramas. The example in action drives lessons home easily and in less time. What may take days to read may be shown on the stage in a couple of hours, and with deeper effect. Therefore ‘example’ is better than precept.
