--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whoever would be a teacher of men let him…" description: "\"Whoever would be a teacher of men let him begin by teaching himself before teaching others; and let him teach by example before teaching by word. For h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/khalil-gibran-286_deserving_whoever-would-be-a-teacher-of-men-let-hi_1257788.jpg" --- # Whoever would be a teacher of men let him begin by… ![“Whoever would be a teacher of men let him begin by teaching himself before teaching others; and let him teach by example before teaching by word. For he who teaches himself and rectifies his own ways is more deserving of respect and reverence than he who would teach others and rectify their ways.” quote by Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/khalil-gibran-286_deserving_whoever-would-be-a-teacher-of-men-let-hi_1257788.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/khalil-gibran-286_deserving_whoever-would-be-a-teacher-of-men-let-hi_1257788.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e4/khalil-gibran-286_deserving_whoever-would-be-a-teacher-of-men-let-hi_1257788.jpg) > “Whoever would be a teacher of men let him begin by teaching himself before teaching others; and let him teach by example before teaching by word. For he who teaches himself and rectifies his own ways is more deserving of respect and reverence than he who would teach others and rectify their ways.” [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective teaching starts with self‑discipline and personal example before instructing others. **In simple terms:** Teach yourself first, then others. Key Takeaway Model behavior before giving advice. Themes self‑improvement leadership integrity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - coaching - parenting - management training - public speaking Key Concepts personal growth role modeling ethical conduct Questions to Reflect On - How can you demonstrate the values you teach? - What habits reflect your teachings? A Different Perspective Self‑discipline alone may not address others' unique needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mentorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentorship/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Reverence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reverence/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Teaching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching/) [Teaching others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teaching-others/) ## Related quotes > [I think it's easiest to teach by example. My dad didn't tell us to work hard; we just saw how hard he worked. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-o-donnell/i-think-it-s-easiest-to-teach-by-example-my-dad-didn-t-tell-us-to/) [Chris O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-o-donnell/) > [We must teach more by example than by word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mackillop/we-must-teach-more-by-example-than-by-word/) [Mary MacKillop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mackillop/) > [I think that the only way to teach is by example, as children will more easily follow what they see you do than what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/i-think-that-the-only-way-to-teach-is-by-example-as-children-will/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [Obviously, you want to teach your child between right and wrong, respect and being kind to others, whether it's their sisters or parents. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-manning/obviously-you-want-to-teach-your-child-between-right-and-wrong/) [Eli Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-manning/) > [I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we're here is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dizzy-gillespie/i-always-try-to-teach-by-example-and-not-force-my-ideas-on-a-young/) [Dizzy Gillespie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dizzy-gillespie/) > [Teach by example and treat yourself the way you would want your children to treat themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-weir/teach-by-example-and-treat-yourself-the-way-you-would-want-your/) [Ingrid Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-weir/) > [Always think of yourself as everyone's servant; look for Christ Our Lord in everyone and you will then have respect and reverence for them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-of-vila/always-think-of-yourself-as-everyone-s-servant-look-for-christ-our/) [Teresa of Avila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-of-vila/) > [“Lucien, women are wondrous, mysterious, and magical creatures, who should be treated not only with respect but with reverence, perhaps even awe. Now go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/lucien-women-are-wondrous-mysterious-and-magical-creatures-who-should/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [“He really wanted to remain angry, but somehow he had come to believe that women were wondrous, mysterious, and magical creatures who should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/he-really-wanted-to-remain-angry-but-somehow-he-had-come-to-believe/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [Democracy is not merely a form of Government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-r-ambedkar/democracy-is-not-merely-a-form-of-government-it-is-primarily-a-mode/) [B. R. Ambedkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-r-ambedkar/) > [In my heart there may be doubt that I deserve the Nobel award over other men of letters whom I hold in respect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/in-my-heart-there-may-be-doubt-that-i-deserve-the-nobel-award-over/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect. Reverence just doesnt enter into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/the-study-of-history-requires-investigation-imagination-empathy-and-2/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [This beautiful Earth that we have, this gift that the Universe has given us is precious beyond measure, precious beyond imagination, and we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-hancock/this-beautiful-earth-that-we-have-this-gift-that-the-universe-has/) [Graham Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-hancock/) > [Every time you get on your knees and pray to God, 'Holy' keeps the respect and reverence while 'Father' brings Him close & intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/every-time-you-get-on-your-knees-and-pray-to-god-holy-keeps-the/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect. Reverence just doesn't enter into it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/the-study-of-history-requires-investigation-imagination-empathy-and/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) ## More by Khalil Gibran > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/hate-is-a-dead-thing-who-of-you-would-be-a-tomb/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The truly just is he who feels half guilty of your misdeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-truly-just-is-he-who-feels-half-guilty-of-your-misdeeds/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“follow the steps trust them and yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/follow-the-steps-trust-them-and-yourself/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/i-have-never-agreed-with-my-other-self-wholly-the-truth-of-the-matter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-pray-in-your-distress-and-in-your-need-would-that-you-might-also/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it, And the clay that fills your ears shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-veil-that-clouds-your-eyes-shall-be-lifted-by-the-hands-that-wove/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/joy-and-sorrow-are-inseparable-together-they-come-and-when-one-sits/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled. And like the ether it lifts but the winged. Even like the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/like-the-ocean-is-your-god-self-it-remains-for-ever-undefiled-and/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) [Explore all 688 Khalil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More Deserving quotes > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Military caregivers play an essential role in the recovery process of our veterans and are more than deserving of our support.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-chestnut/military-caregivers-play-an-essential-role-in-the-recovery-process-of/) [Joey Chestnut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-chestnut/) > [No, no, football doesn't understand about 'deserving' something. You have to grab it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/no-no-football-doesn-t-understand-about-deserving-something-you-have/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [I was asked the other day if I would be interested in the Nobel Prize, but I think that for me it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/i-was-asked-the-other-day-if-i-would-be-interested-in-the-nobel-prize/) [Gabriel Garcia Marquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [The legislature have anxiously provided for those most useful and deserving body of men, the seamen and marines of this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-legislature-have-anxiously-provided-for-those-most-useful-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“having patience always gives you what you deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fatma-alfalasi/having-patience-always-gives-you-what-you-deserve/) Fatma Alfalasi > [I do firmly believe that universal forces are at work that pull us inexorably toward the deserving results of our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ringer/i-do-firmly-believe-that-universal-forces-are-at-work-that-pull-us/) [Robert Ringer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ringer/) > [We are all deserving of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-bullock/we-are-all-deserving-of-love/) [Sandra Bullock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-bullock/) > [Do it the hard way! Think ahead of your job. Then nothing in the world can keep the job ahead from reaching out for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlow-curtice/do-it-the-hard-way-think-ahead-of-your-job-then-nothing-in-the-world/) Harlow Curtice > [Im not single. Im not taken. Im simply reserved, for the one who fits the word deserving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laine/im-not-single-im-not-taken-im-simply-reserved-for-the-one-who-fits/) [Laine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laine/) > [Lil Wayne is a person who I think is really deserving of the success he's had. I'm someone who can stay in the studio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missy-elliot/lil-wayne-is-a-person-who-i-think-is-really-deserving-of-the-success/) [Missy Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missy-elliot/) > [Is Fate getting what you deserve, or deserving what you get?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/is-fate-getting-what-you-deserve-or-deserving-what-you-get/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Few needs are more pressing, or more deserving of our attention, than taking care of the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-richardson/few-needs-are-more-pressing-or-more-deserving-of-our-attention-than/) [Bill Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-richardson/) > [Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/love-is-willing-self-sacrifice-for-the-good-of-another-that-does-not/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) Browse all 385 Deserving quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whoever would be a teacher of men let him begin by teaching himself before teaching others; and let him teach by example before teaching by word. 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