Original Text:
子曰其身正不令而行其身不正虽令不从
Translation:
Other Translations:
The Master said, “When the ruler is correct, his will is put into effect without the need for official orders. When the ruler’s person is not correct, he will not be obeyed no matter how many orders he issues.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.
The Master said, If the person himself is correct, then although you do not order him to do so, he will act. But if the person himself is not correct, then although you order him, he will not obey.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.