"We are inclined to think that the wisest men and women in the world 

 ask advice fairly often, and ai'e as open about their affairs as circumstances 

 permit. They ask it not only of experts, but they ask it sometimes of their 

 ordinary acquaintance, not to obtain direct guidance, but to get a new light, 

 just as they read a new book on their own subject, not on the chance that they 

 may reverse their own point of view, but in the assurance that they will enlarge 

 it. More wisdom is required in taking than iu giving advice. It should seldom 

 be taken whole. The great thing, as we believe, is to take none which is out of 

 character. To do so is to regret it. If we are natiu-ally slow of decision, we 

 shall be hurried into promptness at our peril. If we are by nature placable and 

 polite, we must not take advice to be arbitrary even in the best cause. If we 

 are impulsive, we should take counsel with a man of the same temperament and 

 stronger mind ; not with the phlegmatic, though he be the wisest slow coach on 

 earth. We all know our own defects, and if we are decent people at all our 

 moral constitution has set up certain compensations. To disturb these is to 

 court failure. So far as the isolated act is concerned, rashly accepted advice 

 may be good enough— and successful enough -but how are we to go on? We 

 have started on a course which is out of character, and we shall stumble until 

 Ave get back into our stride."— Extract from The Spectator. 



First Edition 1908 



Second Edition .... 1914 

 Third {Revised) Edition . . 1920 



