Example is leadership. (Albert Schweitzer)
How would you interpret this saying?

Vedi una traduzione

Setting an example, good or bad, invites others to follow in your footsteps.

It's similar in theme to the saying "lead from the front," or "lead by doing." It's different slightly in that it's not necessarily advice, but more of a statement of observation, like a physical law.

If you're interested in how to read it grammatically, "example" is used here without an article (no 'an' or 'the') to refer to all examples, as a concept. So, the concept of "Examples," and all that that idea may entail, acts as the subject. "Example" equates to ('is') "leadership," and all that THAT idea may entail.

Generally, quotes that are short and succinct are more memorable and profound, to English speakers at least. This is also referenced in a famous quote by William Shakespeare: "Brevity is the soul of wit."