We are so happy to advise others that occasionally we even do it in their interest.
—Jules Renard (1864–1910) French Writer, Diarist
We give advice, but we cannot give the wisdom to profit by it.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
I owe my success to having listened respectfully to the very best advice, and then going away and doing the exact opposite.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn.
—Unknown
There are none so deaf as those who will not hear advice.
—Indian Proverb
One good punch on your enemy’s nose, gives more pleasure than hearing well-meaning advice from your elders.
—Tibetan Proverb
With the modern diseases (once TB, now cancer) the romantic idea that the disease expresses the character is invariably extended to assert that the character causes the disease—because it has not expressed itself. Passion moves inward, striking and blighting the deepest cellular recesses.
—Susan Sontag (1933–2004) American Writer, Philosopher
Let no man value at a little price a virtuous woman’s counsel.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
He who calls in the aid of an equal understanding, doubles his own; and he who profits by a superior understanding, raises his powers to a level with the height of the understanding he unites with.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
You can give a piece of advice, but not good luck along with that.
—Norwegian Proverb
When a man has been guilty of any vice of folly, the best atonement he can make for it is to warn others not to fall into the like.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Misdirected life force is the activity in disease process. Disease has no energy save what it borrows from the life of the organism. It is by adjusting the life force that healing must be brought about, and it is the sun as transformer and distributor of primal spiritual energy that must be utilized in this process, for life and the sun are so intimately connected.
—Kabbalah Teaching Jewish Mystical, Theosophical Tradition
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer, but wish we didn’t.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
I agree with every word you write, and I can prove this in no better way than by taking your advice from beginning to end.
—Ellen Glasgow (1873–1945) American Novelist
I have lived some thirty-odd years on this planet, and I have yet to hear the first syllable of valuable or even earnest advice from my seniors.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Many a man wins glory for prudence by seeking advice, then seeking advice as to what advice would be best to take, and finally following appetite.
—Austin O’Malley (1858–1932) American Aphorist, Ophthalmologist
People are changed, not by coercion or intimidation, but by example.
—Unknown
He who builds according to every man’s advice will have a crooked house.
—Danish Proverb
The best advice one can give to the hungry is bread.
—Italian Proverb
A woman listens only to the advice of a fool.
—African Proverb
Men give away nothing so liberally as their advice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
A woman’s first advice is her best.
—German Proverb
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.
—Unknown
A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.
—Unknown
The best practical advice I can give to the present generation is to practice the virtue which the Christians call love.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Listening to good advice is the way to wealth.
—Persian Proverb
My advice to you is to get married. If you find a good wife, you’ll be happy; if not, you’ll become a philosopher.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A leader must have the courage to act against an expert’s advice.
—James Callaghan (1912–2005) British Labour Statesman, Prime Minister
The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The counsel you would have another keep, first keep yourself.
—Common Proverb