If you have not first pondered the entire situation of the man whom you wish to help, and if you have not brought with you instructions for him to follow henceforth in leading his life, he will not receive great good from your help.
Interpretation
True help is understanding the whole situation of the one you're trying to assist.
This quote emphasizes the importance of comprehensively understanding someone's circumstances before offering them help. It suggests that effective assistance goes beyond simply providing aid; it requires thoughtful consideration and guidance tailored to that individual's needs to ensure that the help provided is truly beneficial and leads to lasting positive change in their life.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a motivational speech about the importance of empathy in leadership.
At the end of the table, the secretary was reading the decision in some case, but in such a mournful and monotonous voice, that the condemned man himself would have fallen asleep while listening to it. The judge, no doubt, would have been the first of all to do so, had he not entered into an engrossing conversation while it was going on.
You can't imagine how stupid the whole world has grown nowadays.
Two turtle doves will show thee Where my cold ashes lie And sadly murmuring tell thee How in tears I did die
Nothing could be more pleasant than to live in solitude, enjoy the spectacle of nature, and occasionally read some book.
I here ask pardon of all my compatriots for everything of which I have been guilty towards them. I know that, by my ill-considered and immature works, I have brought distress to many and that I have even provoked others to attack me openly and, in general, have produced displeasure in many.
There are certain words which are nearer and dearer to a man than any others.
I found that while life drags on when you're losing, it marches on when you're winning.
Be deaf, be blind, be dead to gossip, and it will grow disgusted with you and select a more sensitive victim.
If you hear how wonderful you are often enough, you begin to believe it, no matter how you try to resist it.
I've reached the age of self-knowledge, so I don't know anything. People who claim that they know something are responsible for most of the fuss in the world.
The longer I live, the more I observe that carrying around anger is the most debilitating to the person who bears it.
So as grave and learned men may doubt, without any imputation to them; for the most learned doubteth most, and the more ignorant for the most part are the more bold and peremptory.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.