"Les bons conseils sont toujours sûrs d'être ignorés mais ce n'est pas une raison pour ne pas les donner."

Let's break down the essence of this quote. At its core, it's saying that even though people often don't follow good advice, it still holds value to give it anyway. How many times have you found yourself nodding politely as someone offers you advice you know you won't follow? We all do it. But that doesn’t mean the act of giving advice is pointless.

Historically, advice-givers have been around forever—think of the ancient philosophers or your own parents. Socrates was famous for his wisdom, yet many of his contemporaries didn’t heed his advice. Why? Perhaps it's human nature to want to carve out our own paths, make our own mistakes, and learn from personal experience rather than someone else’s words. Yet, those pieces of advice often linger in the back of our minds, ready to resurface when we need them most.

Consider this example: You’ve got a friend, let's call her Sarah, who’s entering a new relationship. You’ve noticed some red flags about this new person. You gently suggest she might want to take things slow, maybe even take a step back. She nods, says she’ll think about it, but you can tell she’s already brushed off your advice. Months down the line, the relationship ends, and Sarah comes to you saying, "I should have listened to you." Your advice wasn’t followed at the time, but it was there when she needed it—a little nugget of wisdom she could reflect on later.

So, how should you apply this wisdom? Well, keep giving advice. Don’t be discouraged if it seems like it’s falling on deaf ears. The key is to offer it without attachment—don’t expect immediate action. Just understand that your words might plant a seed. Offer your insights compassionately and without judgment. Let the advice be a gift, not an obligation.

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop with a friend who’s stressed about a new job. You’ve been in a similar situation and you know the ropes. You share your experiences and offer tips on managing stress. Your friend might smile and thank you, but you can tell he’s already thinking about how he’ll handle it his way. And that’s okay. Maybe your advice will help him weeks from now when he’s in the thick of it.

We can’t control what others do with our advice, but we can control how we offer it. Think of it as a way to connect, to share a part of your experience. It’s like throwing a lifeline—they might not grab it right now, but it’s there when they’re ready. And sometimes, just knowing someone cares enough to offer guidance is valuable in itself.

So next time you’re in that coffee shop, or on the phone, or even just texting, don’t hesitate to share your wisdom. It’s a small act of kindness, a way to say “I’ve been there, and I care.” And that’s always worth something, even if it takes a while to be recognized.