Since truth and constancy are vain,
Since neither love, nor sense of pain,
Nor force of reason, read more

Since truth and constancy are vain,
Since neither love, nor sense of pain,
Nor force of reason, can persuade,
Then let example be obey'd.

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Example has more followers than reason. We unconsciously imitate what pleases us, and approximate to the characters we most admire.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.

I do not give you to posterity as a pattern to imitate, but as an
example to deter.

I do not give you to posterity as a pattern to imitate, but as an
example to deter.

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no read more

Choose your friends by their character and your socks by their color. Choosing your socks by their character makes no sense, and choosing your friends by their color is unthinkable.

Men think they may justly do that for which they have a
precedent.
[Lat., Quod exemplo fit, id read more

Men think they may justly do that for which they have a
precedent.
[Lat., Quod exemplo fit, id etiam jure fieri putant.]

He follows his father with unequal steps.
[Lat., Sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis.]

He follows his father with unequal steps.
[Lat., Sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis.]

I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust read more

I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men . . . in receiving
from the people the sacred trust confided to my illustrious
predecessor.

As a neighboring funeral terrifies sick misers, and fear obliges
them to have some regard for themselves; so, the read more

As a neighboring funeral terrifies sick misers, and fear obliges
them to have some regard for themselves; so, the disgrace of
others will often deter tender minds from vice.
[Lat., Avidos vicinum funus ut aegros
Exanimat, mortisque metu sibi parcere cogit;
Sic teneros animos aliena opprobria saepe
Absterrent vitiis.]