The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.
Interpretation
People often resist advice that they truly need while disregarding advice that is unhelpful.
Samuel Johnson highlights the paradox of human nature regarding advice. Individuals frequently dismiss critical suggestions, even if they are genuinely beneficial, while embracing opinions that may be less relevant or useful. This tendency reflects a deeper complexity in our relationships to knowledge and guidance, showcasing how pride or discomfort can override common sense.
In practice
In a discussion about seeking personal growth, this quote could be used to illustrate the importance of being open to constructive criticism.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
If you take the approach that βgoodβ is not an accident - that everyone and everything that shows up in your life is there for a reason - youβll begin to see every event (no matter how difficult or challenging) as a chance for enrichment and advancement in your life.
Think of me as a fellow patient in the same hospital who, having been admitted a little earlier could give some advice.
Come, live with the doors of the senses guarded, diligent and mindful, vigilant and mindful, with the ways of the mind well watched, possessed of a mind that is awake and observing.
Saki says that youth is like hors d'oeuvres: you are so busy thinking of the next courses you don't notice it. When you've had them, you wish you'd had more hors d'oeuvres.
First appearance deceives many.
I'm still learning, you know. At 80, I feel there is a lot I don't know.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.