"Do as I say , don't do as I do " is a phrase that we often hear. It means listen to me but don't copy what I do . But, in the words of John Baptist de La Salle, saying something isn't the same as doing something. You have to show what you mean in your actions instead of just saying something .

For example say "l'll clean my room later ". Wouldn't it be better to just do it - clean your room without being asked, or saying that you'll do it . De La Salle told his teachers, who called his Brothers, to trust in God and that He would look after them and the school. But he said this while living in the La Salle family house which was elegant and luxurious. He said that example makes a greater impression, and ever before he wrote those, he led by example. How did he do this?

He sold the family home and possessions and used the money for the school and to feed the poor of Reims who were starving because of the famine that was happening at the time. So he set the example for the Brothers to follow - he gave up the comfort and security of wealth to live in poverty with his teachers, doing God's work and educating the poor. In his own words, he made a greater impression with his example than by his words.