Full Idea
According to virtue theory, education through moral exemplars is more effective than education focused on principles and obligations, because it is far more concrete.
Gist of Idea
Moral education is better by concrete example than abstract principle
Source
Daniel Statman (Introduction to Virtue Ethics [1997], §3)
Book Reference
'Virtue Ethics', ed/tr. Statman,Daniel [Edinburgh 1997], p.13
A Reaction
Aristotle's view is that virtues must be developed from childhood, when principles don't mean much. The problem is that young people may witness highly virtuous behaviour in their exemplars, but totally fail to appreciate it without mention of principles.