expression
dignified without being overbearing; gentle yet commanding respect
A set phrase describing a person who possesses authority and dignity but remains warm and approachable, not intimidating. Often used in descriptions of ideal leadership or character. The expression has a classical, literary flavor.
See also: 威有って猛からず (いあってたけからず)
彼は威ありて猛からずという言葉がぴったりの人物だ。
He is exactly the kind of person described by the phrase 'dignified without being overbearing.'
あの先生は威ありて猛からず、生徒たちから慕われている。
That teacher is dignified yet gentle, and is adored by the students.
A variant of the same expression using 有って (atte) instead of ありて (arite). The meaning is identical, but ありて is a more classical form.
A classical Japanese expression combining 威 (i, 'dignity, authority'), ありて (arite, classical continuative form of あり 'to be'), 猛から (takekara, classical negative base of 猛し 'fierce, overbearing'), and ず (zu, classical negative auxiliary). The phrase literally means 'having authority but not being fierce.' It is a set phrase, likely of literary origin, used to describe an ideal balance of strength and gentleness.