“Self-care and Care for Others”

pp. 397 - 414

Don’t pry, meddle, or become impertinent. Some folks act as if they are responsible for looking after everybody. Pp. 400-401: “They must see everything that is out of order and make suggestions here, and give advice there, and make inquiry yonder. They run from one to another, with incessant clatter, offering advice which is cheap to give and dear to take.” Rather “let men give succor when succor calls. Let men give counsel sparingly, even when counsel is asked. Let men intrude nothing of themselves upon those who do not need intrusion.” In short, don’t act as if you are uniquely competent to advise others.

Sermons of Henry Ward Beecher