“I set an example. That's all anyone can do.”

— Tom Robbins , Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1976)
Context: I set an example. That's all anyone can do. I'm sorry the cowgirls didn't pay better attention, but I couldn't force them to notice me. I've lived most of my entire adult life outside the law, and never have I compromised with authority. But neither have I gone out and picked fights with authority. That's stupid. They're waiting for that; they invite it; it helps keep them powerful. Authority is to be ridiculed, outwitted and avoided. And it's fairly easy to do all three. If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe in love, acting lovingly; if you believe every which way, then act every which way, that's perfectly valid — but don't go out trying to sell your beliefs to the system. You end up contradicting what you profess to believe in, and you set a bum example. If you want to change the world, change yourself.

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American writer 1932

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“Example is not the main thing. It is the only thing. That is, if the one giving the example is not saying to himself, 'Behold I am giving an example.' That spoils it. Anyone thinking of the example he will give to others has lost his simplicity. Only as a man has simplicity can his example influence others.”

Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French-German physician, theologian, musician and philosopher

Sometimes presented in paraphrased form, such as "Example is not the main thing in influencing others, it is the only thing" https://books.google.com/books?id=5Za7o6teOHoC&pg=PR18&dq=%22example+is+not+the+main+thing%22+schweitzer&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFh4m9vqvMAhUG02MKHRqZDtsQ6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=%22example%20is%20not%20the%20main%20thing%22%20&f=false.
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“The best way to describe anyone is to give an example of the kind of thing he would do.”

Isaac Asimov (1920–1992) American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, known for his works of science fiction …

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General sources

“Setting a good example for children takes all the fun out of middle age.”

William Feather (1889–1981) Publisher, Author

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“Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

Susan Boyle (1961) British singer

As quoted in "Susan Boyle redeems us from superficiality" by Melanie Reid in TImes Online (18 April 2009) http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/melanie_reid/article6115397.ece

“I think it is the duty of every citizen, in the present condition of the Country, to do all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony. It is particularly incumbent upon those charged with the instruction of the young to set them an example.”

Robert E. Lee (1807–1870) Confederate general in the Civil War

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“I also have to speak out for people around me who are afraid, who think it is not worth it or who have totally given up hope. So I want to set an example: you can do it and this is okay, to speak out.”

Ai Weiwei (1957) Chinese concept artist

2010-, I have to speak for people who are afraid, 2010

“We all know that a good example is more effective than advice. So set a good example, and it won't take long for others to follow.”

Anne Frank (1929–1945) victim of the Holocaust and author of a diary

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“The more I prayed for my enemies, the softer my heart became. When I felt real forgiveness, my heart was set free. If I can do it, all of you can do it too.”

Phan Thi Kim Phuc (1963) Child depicted in the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken during the Vietnam War on June 8, 1972

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“I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do…”

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, and activist, and First Lady of the United States

“I don't back any party, I'm better off setting an example.”

Amir Khan (boxer) (1986) British boxer

Interview with BBC Sport 17 January 2015

“I set an example. That's all anyone can do.”

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