What does Bill Clinton mean when he says?

Question

"The world has long respected the power of our example over the example of our power."

He said that during his speech last night for the DNC.

Thanks, it will really be appreciated if you help me.

Answer 1

It means that people in other countries respect us (the US) when we we act respectfully, positively, or set a good example and use our power for compassionate reasons.

Conversely, when we use our power just to show off our power, then they don't respect us.

An example of this would be the world respecting us and wanting to copy the US in its outreach to countries that need food, but not respecting us when we flex our muscles to show our power by going into other countries to control what happens there (e.g. Iraq).

Answer 2

The world will respect what we do rather more than our swaggering and bullying.

Answer 3

It's code for "Suckers, I DID inhale... Muahahaahaahhaahah."  That's his villain laugh.

Answer 4

It's a good saying. But he should practice what he preaches.

What he means is we should set a good example for the world instead of giving them a demonstration of our power.