Bhagavad Gita 3.21
Krishna to Arjunaयद्यदाचरति श्रेष्ठस्तत्तदेवेतरो जनः ।स यत्प्रमाणं कुरुते लोकस्तदनुवर्तते ॥ २१ ॥
Transliteration
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhastat tad evetaro janaḥsa yat pramāṇaṃ kurutelokas tad anuvartate
Whatever a person of standing does, others do as well. Whatever standard that person establishes, the world follows.
Original King of Dwarka translationReflection inspired by Bhagavad Gita 3.21
An example can travel farther than an explanation. The verse notices how a way of acting quietly becomes a measure for others.
Source & context
Krishna discusses the public consequences of action. Śreṣṭha denotes a person of standing or excellence, not a claim that social status confers moral perfection.