【原文】

子曰：〝其身正，不令而行；其身不正，雖令不從。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝執政者自身行為端正，不發號令，老百姓也會跟著走；執政者自身行為不端正，就是三番五次下令，老百姓也不會聽從。〞

【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，必世而後仁。〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝即使有聖明君主出現，也要經過三十年才能實現仁政。〞

【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。于從政乎何有？不能正其身，如正人何？〞

【參考譯文】

孔子說：〝執政者如果自身行為端正，治理國家還有什麼困難呢？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? "