# What is the best advice you were ever given? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915 "2012-03-16T00:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/81 "2012-03-17T15:59:06Z")
“It’s good to help people. But don’t help them too much.” - my stepfather ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/82 "2012-03-17T18:35:04Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > “Money isn’t everything. But it sure helps.” Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make unhappiness a lot more pleasant. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/83 "2012-03-17T18:46:39Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Money can’t buy happiness, but it can make unhappiness a lot more pleasant. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can rent it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/84 "2012-03-17T19:09:21Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Measure twice, cut once. And it’s real-life companion: cut it large and beat it into place. “If it doesn’t fit, force it.” Not necessarily _good_ advice, but advice I’ve taken more than once. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/85 "2012-03-17T19:42:38Z")
“The only way to avoid temptation is to avoid temptation” I know this, I believe this, I repeat this. Now if only I could LIVE it, lol! ---
**Author:** ![Imago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/85e7bf/32.png) [@Imago](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imago)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/86 "2012-03-17T21:30:30Z")
From my father: “Just f\*\*\*ing google it!” ---
**Author:** ![Beastly\_Rotter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/45deac/32.png) [@Beastly\_Rotter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beastly_Rotter)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/87 "2012-03-17T21:34:40Z")
Always be sincere, whether you mean it or not. ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/88 "2012-03-17T22:31:50Z")
> [@Satchmo](#): > > From my Grandad: > > “It’s not so much that it takes all kinds, it’s that there ARE all kinds.” > (So get used to it.) Which reminds me of another great Twain quote: “The trouble ain’t that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain’t distributed right.” ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/89 "2012-03-17T22:35:02Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > “If it doesn’t fit, force it.” > > Not necessarily _good_ advice, but advice I’ve taken more than once. 🙂 Two variations on the above: “Don’t force it; use a larger hammer.” “If it doesn’t fit, force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.” ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/90 "2012-03-17T22:44:31Z")
Learn how to trade derivatives. Accepted dream job in Chicago last week. ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/91 "2012-03-17T22:46:53Z")
“Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy comfort.” I wish I’d caught on to this earlier in life. It took me many years to figure out that _comfort_ and \*happiness \*are not the same thing. I wasn’t hooked on money, though-- I was hooked on drugs. Drugs can definitely provide comfort, excitement, relaxation, and even fun…but never happiness. ---
**Author:** ![brittekland](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aeb1de/32.png) [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/92 "2012-03-18T07:08:45Z")
“Safety First!” ---
**Author:** ![Molotok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@Molotok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Molotok)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/93 "2012-03-18T07:37:03Z")
Two pearls of wisdom from my parents: - If you want crumbed steak, crumb it yourself. They use crumbing as a way to sell meat that’s turning green. - Don’t move _from_ a place, but _to_ a place. If you move _from_ a place, your demons travel with you. Deal with the demons, THEN move. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/94 "2012-03-18T17:32:18Z")
“Everything in your life is usefel if you know when to use it.” I file everything away in my brain. I can bring out things from 20 years ago if need be. ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/95 "2012-03-18T17:52:47Z")
Another favorite from Twain: **"Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest."** ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/96 "2012-03-18T18:07:02Z")
Don’t take anyone’s advice. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/97 "2012-03-19T01:12:13Z")
“Don’t sweat the petty things and don’t pet the sweaty things.” ---
**Author:** ![azraiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@azraiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/azraiel)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/98 "2012-03-19T03:48:14Z")
“Always use a condom, y’hear? Women have hormones, too.” Thanks, Gramps. (I mean it. Thank you, gramps.) ---
**Author:** ![Jasper\_Kent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@Jasper\_Kent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasper_Kent)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/99 "2012-03-19T13:19:56Z")
Life isn’t fair. Knowledge is power. Pain is inevitable; happiness is optional. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915/100 "2012-03-19T13:30:11Z")
Always contribute to your 401K. -Dad StG [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-advice-you-were-ever-given/615915.md?page=6)