1. An Exemplary and Virtuous Personal Life

World Scripture

If a ruler himself is upright, all will go well even though he does not give orders. But if he himself is not upright, even though he gives orders, they will not be obeyed.
Analects 13.6 (Confucianism)

When the king is deceitful, who will not be deceitful? When the king is unrighteous, who will not be unrighteous?
Somadeva, Nitivakyamrita 17.183 (Jainism)

Concerned alone with the upholding of the world,
You should act.
Whatever the best man does, others do that also.
The world follows the standard he sets for himself.
Bhagavad-Gita 3.20-21 (Hinduism)

When cattle are crossing, if the old bull swerves,
They all go swerving, following his lead.
So among men, if he who’s reckoned best
Lives not aright, much more do other folk.
If the ruler be unrighteous, the whole land dwells in woe.
When cattle are crossing, if the bull goes straight,
They all go straight because his course is straight.
So among men, if he who’s reckoned best
Lives righteously, the others do so too.
The whole land dwells in happiness if the ruler lives aright.
Anguttara Nikaya 2.75 (Buddhism)

When the righteous man is in the town, he is its luster, its majesty, and its glory. When he leaves it, its luster, its majesty, and its glory depart.
Genesis Rabbah 68.6 (Judaism)

Guide them by edicts, keep them in line with punishments, and the common people will stay out of trouble but will have no sense of shame. Guide them by virtue, keep them in line with the rites, and they will, besides having a sense of shame, reform themselves.⁹
Analects 2.3 (Confucianism)

Chi K’ang-tzu asked Confucius about government, saying, “Suppose I were to slay those who have not the Way in order to help those who have the Way, what would you think of it?” Confucius replied, saying, “If you desire what is good, the people will at once be good. The essence of the gentleman is that of wind; the essence of small people is that of grass. And when a wind passes over the grass, it cannot choose but bend.”
Analects 12.19 (Confucianism)

The Book of Songs says,
How profound was King Wen!
He maintained his brilliant virtue without interruptions
And regarded with reverence that which he abided.
As a ruler, he abided in benevolence (jen). As a minister, he abided in reverence. As a son, he abided in filial piety. As a father, he abided in deep love. And in dealing with the people of the country, he abided in faithfulness.
The Book of Songs says,
Look at that curve in the Ch’i River.
How luxuriant and green are the bamboo trees there!
Here is our elegant and accomplished prince.
His personal life is cultivated
As a thing is cut and filed
And as a thing is carved and polished.
How grave and dignified!
How majestic and accomplished!
Here is our elegant and accomplished prince.
We can never forget him.
“As a thing is cut and filed” refers to the pursuit of learning. “As a thing is carved and polished” refers to self-cultivation. “How grave and how dignified” indicates precaution. “How majestic and distinguished” expresses awe-inspiring appearance. “Here is our elegant and accomplished prince. We can never forget him” means that the people cannot forget his eminent character and perfect virtue.
Great Learning 3.3-4 (Confucianism)

Verily in the Messenger of God you have a good example for him who looks unto God and the Last Day, and remembers God much.
Qur’an 33.21

When [Jesus] had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
John 13.12-15

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2.21

If you have a good heart, you naturally become the object of others’ respect, but if you have a selfish motive, though you may receive respect to your face, behind your back people will ask, “What use is his being a lama, guru, etc?” Since they are free to speak they will do so, which may not be undeserved. Similarly, when a leader is strongly motivated by selfishness, though people may show respect and shower praises on him in his presence, later on if he meets with problems they will rejoice, which is natural.
Tenzin Gyatso, The Fourteenth Dalai Lama (Buddhism)

Teachings of Sun Myung Moon

People who live for the sake of the whole should be exemplary in all aspects of living: work, speech, and behavior. Then they will be automatically respected as elders.
(318:147, May 5, 2000)

What is goodness? It is to discard what is evil and seek what is good. This means you should embody goodness and practice it. You should become that kind of leader. What is a leader? He is the model and standard for others to follow. Although he is in the central position, he does not isolate himself from the people. Rather, he cares for the people, protects them and guides them towards goodness. That is why the people want to take him as their model and emulate him.
(118:38, May 2, 1982)

Be a man who can respect his own character. You should be able to hold your head high before all things, knowing that they respect you. Then you can say, “Follow my example.”
(Way of God’s Will 2.2)

To become a leader, first, you should be able to solve economic difficulties. Second, you should have skill at diplomacy. Third, you should be an eloquent speaker who can persuade the masses.
(85:263, March 3, 1976)

What was God’s purpose in sending saints and prophets to this earth? It was to educate all people about the meaning of God’s true love by demonstrating the character and exemplary life that God desires.
(219:110, August 27, 1991)