Sometimes, the person who gives us advice may not always set the best example. They might have made mistakes in the past, or they might still not follow certain good practices themselves. Because of this, we often feel they aren’t credible enough to advise us.
This feeling becomes stronger when that person is someone close — a spouse, parent, sibling, or in-law. In such relationships, ego easily gets in the way. We hesitate to listen because we fear that accepting their advice might make us appear weak or inferior.
But this is where most people go wrong. We assume that only a perfect person can give good advice. The truth is — nobody is perfect. Every person, no matter how wise or successful they seem, has areas where they fall short. Even the people we admire most have flaws known only to those close to them.
So, a person doesn’t have to be flawless to offer something valuable. Someone might fail in certain areas of life, yet their experience or insight in another area can be genuinely helpful. What matters is not who says it, but what is being said.
If the advice is logical, practical, and beneficial, accept it — even if it comes from someone who has made mistakes. Don’t let ego block your growth. Wisdom can come from anyone, even those who’ve stumbled before you.
As a famous Tamil proverb reminds us:
“Take the good even from a bad person, and reject the bad even from a good person.”
When you learn to see beyond the person and focus on the truth of the message, you grow faster, make wiser decisions, and move closer to peace and success.
