What is the idiom for the situation "If people-in-authority don't follow their own set rules then what can one expect from rest of us" [closed]

Question

What is the idiom for a situation that "If people-in-authority don't follow their own set rules, then what can one expect from rest of us" in similar examples given below in different settings:

When HR themselves are tardy, undisciplined then what can you expect from the employees (punctuality and discipline)?

When traffic police themselves are offending (driving without belts, smoking while driving) what can you expect from the vehicle driving community in the city?

When parents themselves are undisciplined (smoking in front of children), what can you expect from the children themselves?

When the management is insincere, what can you expect from their staff?

Answer 1

Do as I say, not as I do

Model yourself after my instructions, not my actions. The phrase implies that the speaker is imperfect and makes mistakes, so one should follow their advice but not imitate them. My dad, a big smoker, always told me not to smoke. "Do as I say, not as I do," he used to say.

Better quote:

Prov. Take my advice, even though I am acting contrary to it. (Sometimes used as an apology for behaving hypocritically.) Jill: Why are you walking on the grass when I told you not to? Jane: But you're walking on the grass. Jill: Do as I say, not as I do.

free dictionary

Generally, in British English, this is always used from either a superior point of view, as a reply to a comment about how the figure of authority is doing something they've told people not to do... Or it's used as a pejorative term from those below the person who is "doing", often with sarcasm:

So it's a case of "Do as I say, not as I do" then is it?

Answer 2

While not an exact fit (because it doesn't necessarily involve figures of authority), what about the following:

If they don't practice what they preach why should we?

from def:

To do the things that you advise other people to do:

He's such a hypocrite! He never practises what he preaches.

(Cambridge)

Also, while not an idiom, hypocrite fits as well.

Answer 3

A “double standard” might be the appropriate term.

a rule or standard of good behaviour that, unfairly, some people are expected to follow or achieve but other people are not:

as in:

• The governor is being accused of (having) double standards in being tough on law and order yet allowing his own cabinet members to escape prosecution for fraud.

(Cambridge Dictionary)

Answer 4

"Lead by example," is a common phrase - often used in management training. The idea is that underlings will emulate the behavior of their perceived superiors in matters of dress and decorum in a particular setting. It worked better in the days before "sensitivity training".

(M-W)

Answer 5

Set a bad example is an expression you may use.

set an example:

set a good or bad example . Behave in a way that should (or will) be imitated, as in

• Dad was always telling Bill to set a good example for his younger brother, or They were afraid of setting a bad example for the other nations/. [Late 1700s]

(AHD)

Answer 6

The more colloquial idiom would be "Sauce for the Goose, is sauce for the Gander"

That is, rules that apply to those under authority must also apply to those in authority. Or, rules that apply to me must also apply to you.

All the other phrases are correct as well. A common idea with many expressions.

Another expression of this from US Colonial times:

"The Law condemns the man or woman

Who steals the goose from off the Common

But lets the greater villain loose,

Who steals the Common from the goose."

Answer 7

I don't think there's an exact idiom, but this quote from Shakespeare sums up what you were trying to express:

Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,

Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,

Whiles, like a puffed and reckless libertine,

Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,

And recks not his own rede.

_{Ophelia to Laertes - Hamlet 1.3.48-52}

Answer 8

Perhaps you can say

HR has an attitude of "rules for thee, but not for me".

Answer 9

a fish rots from the head down

When an organization or state fails, it is the leadership that is the root cause.

It's more on a leadership, but I believe it could do.

Examples:

1. The company was bound to be closed sooner or later considering the kind of mangers that they had hired. A fish rots from the head down after all.
2. A leader has to be of a strong will and good character otherwise as it is said, the fish rots from the head down. The whole organization would then have to suffer because of it.
3. His maid servant doesn’t do anything as asked for. But the fish rots from the head down, look at how unorganized his own life is.

Source: theidioms.com

Answer 10

My favourite idiom that I believe is applicable here is Physician heal thyself

The moral of the proverb is counsel to attend to one's own defects rather than criticizing defects in others

Also loosely related: First remove the log from your own eye

You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Answer 11

That's rich, HR complaining about my punctuality. That's rich, the traffic police telling me to use a belt.

From Urban Dictionary :

that's rich
when someone criticizes you for something that they themselves do.

when someone has the audacity to reprimand you when they are much worse than you.

Tony: Dude, you were wrong for standing up Kesley the other night.
John: Yet you're engaged yet you're f***ing two of your fiancee's best friends! That's rich, bro. Real f***ing rich.

[...]

by mizzraynay June 29, 2006