"The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery"
- Samuel Johnson
About this Quote
This quote by Samuel Johnson speaks to the difficulty of giving advice. It suggests that the suggestions that is desired is not always welcome, and that offering advice that is not desired can be seen as an insult. This is likely since when somebody is consulting, they are trying to find an option to an issue, and if the guidance they get is not what they were expecting, it can be viewed as a criticism of their own judgement. Furthermore, when somebody is not trying to find recommendations, offering it can be viewed as intrusive and ill-mannered. This quote highlights the difficulty of offering guidance, and the value of considering the context and the person's feelings prior to using recommendations. It is important to bear in mind that guidance ought to be provided with regard and sensitivity, and that it should be customized to the individual's requirements.
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