---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We fail our children if we say, 'Don't do…"
description: "\"We fail our children if we say, 'Don't do as I do, but do as I say'.\" — Zig Ziglar"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ff/zig-ziglar-263_child_we-fail-our-children-if-we-say-don-t-do_651284.png"
---

#  We fail our children if we say, 'Don't do as I do, but do…

![“We fail our children if we say, 'Don't do as I do, but do as I say'.” quote by Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ff/zig-ziglar-263_child_we-fail-our-children-if-we-say-don-t-do_651284.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ff/zig-ziglar-263_child_we-fail-our-children-if-we-say-don-t-do_651284.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ff/zig-ziglar-263_child_we-fail-our-children-if-we-say-don-t-do_651284.png)

> “We fail our children if we say, 'Don't do as I do, but do as I say'.”

[Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Modeling good behavior is essential; hypocrisy undermines teaching.

**In simple terms:** Don’t say one thing and do another.

Key Takeaway

Lead by example, not just words.

Themes

leadership integrity parenting

Mood

reflective serious

Type

motivational ethical

When to use this quote

- family life
- coaching
- organizational culture

Key Concepts

behavioral modeling ethical consistency

Questions to Reflect On

- How can we align actions with advice?
- What consequences arise from hypocrisy?

A Different Perspective

People may resist change despite advice.

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[Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/)

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## More by Zig Ziglar

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