【原文】

子曰：〝其身正，不令而行；其身不正，虽令不从。〞

【參考译文】

孔子说：〝执政者自身行为端正，不发号令，老百姓也会跟着走；执政者自身行为不端正，就是三番五次下令，老百姓也不会听从。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "If the ruler is personally upright, the common people will obey him without the need to be given orders. If a ruler is not personally upright in his behaviour, the common people will not obey him even after repeated injunctions. "

【原文】

子曰：〝如有王者，必世而后仁。〞

【參考译文】

孔子说：〝即使有圣明君主出现，也要经过三十年才能实现仁政。〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "Even if there were sagacious rulers, it would take a generation to establish a benevolent government. "

【原文】

子曰：〝苟正其身矣。于从政乎何有？不能正其身，如正人何？〞

【參考译文】

孔子说：〝执政者如果自身行为端正，治理国家还有什么困难呢？如果自身行不端正，又怎能匡正他人呢？〞

【English Translation】

Confucius said: "Why should a ruler have any difficulties in running a country if he is upright? If he is not upright himself, how can others be made upright? "