Borrowed this book of quotes,
"Bursting at the Seams" by
Killy John and Alie Stibbe.
There is this quote from
Hannah Whitall Smith about
giving advice which caught
my attention:
"The true secret of giving advice is,
after you have honestly given it,
to be perfectly indifferent whether
it is taken or not, and never persist
in trying to set people right."
A great reminder - "be perfectly
indifferent whether it is taken
or not".
Don't take it personally when the
the person doesn't take your advice.
Just give and leave it as that.
"And never persist in trying
to set people right."
Don't be presumptuous that you are
right and others are wrong. And even
if you are right, why "persist" in
trying to correct them?
I have another to add. A point I have
been made acutely aware of recently
and quite guilty of not practising.
And what is that?
As a German proverb has it:
Never give advice unless asked.
Why?
As Joseph Addison put it:
"There is nothing which we receive
with so much reluctance as advice."
"Everyone likes to give advice, but
no one likes to take it."
And usually the advice that is given
in a talking down, patronising or
didactic tone. Unknowingly.
So remember- Be slow to dish out
unsolicited advice. Be quick to want
to listen with the heart.
