Chapter III · Śloka 23
यदि ह्यहं न वर्तेयं जातु कर्मण्यतन्द्रितः ।
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥
मम वर्त्मानुवर्तन्ते मनुष्याः पार्थ सर्वशः ॥
yadi hy ahaṃ na varteyaṃ jātu karmaṇy atandritaḥ |
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||
mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ||
For if I were ever to cease from tireless action, O Pārtha, men would in every way follow my path.
Krishna explains that because all people emulate great leaders, his own neglect of duty would set a ruinous precedent. The welfare of the entire world rests on the example set by those in exalted positions.