有些人經常口邊掛着要環保，卻不時浪費食物、濫用塑膠，自然沒有說服力。與其滔滔不絕地說教，倒不如以身作則，俗語說言教不如身教，英文說就是Example is better than precept或者A good example is the best sermon。

通常example解作例子，但example亦可解作範例、榜樣，即是適當或良好的行為，可以作為典範，供他人借鑑，set an example是以身作則，成為榜樣。

He always submits assignments on time and is never late for class. He is a very good example to the class.

他常常準時交功課，上課從不遲到，是班上的楷模。

Parents should set an example for their children.

父母應該為子女樹立榜樣。

另一個字precept，意思是訓誡、思想行為的規矩，尤指道德方面的準則。

The newspaper follows the common moral precepts in doing their reporting.

那份報章報道新聞時遵循公用的道德準則。

We should act according to the accepted precept that everyone is equal.

我們應該依據人人平等這個公認的準則行事。

以身作則更能說服

Example is better than precept.（做好榜樣勝於諄諄教誨。）這句諺語的意思是做好榜樣，以身作則，比教誨、訓話更有效果、更有說服力。不可以只靠口頭訓誨，必須身體力行，才可以令人信服。要宣揚一些思想行為，身教勝過言教。

During the years she taught in the school, she had proved that example is better than precept. She seldom lectured but she tried her best to be a good person. She was respected by all her students.

在校任教的那些年，她證明了身教勝過言教。她很少說教，卻盡力做個好人，故此所有學生都尊重她。

You can't tell children to be honest if you cheat and lie. Example is better than precept. You teach them by your good actions.

如果你自己也欺騙和說謊，怎麼教孩子誠實做人？身教勝過言教，應以良好的行為教導孩子。

因此，提出主張或是宣揚教誨，不只靠演講，必要先做好榜樣。另一句類似的諺語A good example is the best sermon（好的榜樣就是最好的宣教），可以表達相同意思。

句中的sermon原來指布道，教會牧師就宗教或道德議題作的講道，後來亦用於指冗長的演說，帶有負面意思，指一些令人沉悶、絮絮不休的訓話。

This Sunday, the priest will give a sermon on love and care.

這個星期天，牧師的布道將談論愛與關懷。

I am not going to waste my time listening to the coach's sermons.

我不打算浪費時間聽教練絮絮不休地說教。

冗長的訓話並不是最好的教導方法，最好還是以身作則，做一個好榜樣，所以說 A good example is the best sermon，作風和行為最為重要。

It's really true that a good example is the best sermon. He does exercise regularly and his health improves. Now many of his friends follow suit.

好的榜樣就是最好的宣教，這說法千真萬確。他定時做運動，健康狀況改善了。現在，他很多朋友都效法他了。

If he wants to convince the public, he has to practise what he preaches. A good example is the best sermon.

如果他想公眾信服，必須言行一致，以行動實踐自己的說話。好的榜樣就是最好的宣教。

以身作則，做好榜樣比說話、教誨重要，身教勝言教，就是這兩句諺語的意思。

◆Lina CHU（linachu88@gmail.com）

隔星期四見報