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
Advice is sought to confirm a position already taken.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
People are changed, not by coercion or intimidation, but by example.
—Unknown
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
Good advice is as good as an eye in the hand.
—French Proverb
When we turn to one another for counsel we reduce the number of our enemies.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
—U.S. Proverb
Advice: The suggestions you give someone else which you hope will work for your benefit.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
The best advisers, helpers and friends, always are not those who tell us how to act in special cases, but who give us, out of themselves, the ardent spirit and desire to act right, and leave us then, even through many blunders, to find out what our own form of right action is.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
Read carefully anything that requires your signature. Remember the big print giveth and the small print taketh away.
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (b.1940) American Self-Help Author
Most people when they come to you for advice, come to have their own opinions strengthened, not corrected.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
When a man seeks your advice he generally wants your praise.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
The one thing people are the most liberal with, is their advice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim
A woman’s first advice is her best.
—German Proverb
To accept good advice is but to increase one’s own ability.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
A thing to which a fool does not consent, know as the right thing.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
The diseases which destroy a man are no less natural than the instincts which preserve him.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
Old men are fond of giving good advice, to console themselves for being no longer in a position to give bad examples.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
We are so fond on one another because our ailments are the same.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly where each tooth point goes; The butterfly upon the road Preaches contentment to that toad.
—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) British Children’s Books Writer, Short story, Novelist, Poet, Journalist
It is only too easy to make suggestions and later try to escape the consequences of what we say.
—Jawaharlal Nehru (1889–1964) Indian Head of State
I am, at heart, a tiresome nag complacently positive that there is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise.
—Gore Vidal (1925–48) American Novelist, Essayist, Journalist, Playwright
He that has no children brings them up well.
—Common Proverb
Don’t follow any advice, no matter how good, until you feel as deeply in your spirit as you think in your mind that the counsel is wise.
—David Seabury (1885–1960) American Psychologist
No one wants advice—only corroboration.
—John Steinbeck (1902–68) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Journalist
Wise men don’t need advice. Fools won’t take it.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Nothing is given as easily as advice.
—French Proverb
It is wrong to follow the advice of an adversary; nevertheless, it is right to hear it, that you may do the contrary, and this is the essence of good policy.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
If advice will not improve him, neither will the rod.
—Greek Proverb
Go to friends for advice; to women for pity; to strangers for charity; to relatives for nothing.
—Spanish Proverb
People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to see our own way more clearly
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
When we feel a strong desire to thrust our advice upon others, it is usually because we suspect their weakness; but we ought rather to suspect our own.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Most people who ask for advice from others have already resolved to act as it pleases them.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
He that won’t be counseled can’t be helped.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
A word to the wise is infuriating.
—Unknown
If your strength is small, don’t carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don’t give advice.
—Chinese Proverb
Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
—Unknown
Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it.
—English Proverb
Good counsel rejected returns to enrich the givers bosom.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Advice after injury is like medicine after death.
—Danish Proverb
Virtue depends partly upon training and partly upon practice; you must learn first, and then strengthen your learning by action. If this be true, not only do the doctrines of wisdom help us but the precepts also, which check and banish our emotions by a sort of official decree.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
It is advantageous to follow advice, for you will succeed in life.
—Philippine Proverb
Men give away nothing so liberally as advice.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
A word to the wise ain’t necessary—it’s the stupid ones who need the advice.
—Bill Cosby (b.1937) American Actor, Comedian, Activist, Producer, Author
Is not disease the rule of existence? There is not a lily pad floating on the river but has been riddled by insects. Almost every shrub and tree has its gall, oftentimes esteemed its chief ornament and hardly to be distinguished from the fruit. If misery loves company, misery has company enough. Now, at midsummer, find me a perfect leaf or fruit.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
It is a good divine that follows his own instructions. I can easier teach twenty men what were good to be done, than to be one of twenty to follow mine own teaching.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Most of us ask for advice when we know the answer but want a different one.
—Ivern Ball (1926–92) American Writer, Aphorist