Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bellow claims people ask for advice to find someone who agrees with them, not to get answers. They seek validation rather than guidance.
In plain terms
When asking for advice, people usually want someone to agree with their choice.
What can you take from it?
Advice often serves as a way to confirm what you already think.

Where it applies

  • making big choices
  • seeking support
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • Be clear if you want advice or agreement
  • Listen to counter-arguments

Questions to consider

  • Do you ask for advice or agreement?
  • What do you really want to hear?

Another view

Some people genuinely seek new perspectives, not just agreement.

More from Saul Bellow

  1. You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.

    Permalink to quote #50
  2. Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps.

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. What is art but a way of seeing?

    Permalink to quote #48

Related quotes

  1. No one wants advice, only corroboration.

    John SteinbeckJohn Steinbeck quote #72
  2. I have quite a few theories on how companies can help their bands achieve greater success and stop just hemorrhaging money, but that's not part of the question…

    Chester BenningtonChester Bennington quote #1
  3. 'Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.'

    Erica JongErica Jong quote #1