Fellowship- Advice on Advice

As can be seen from the title, I'm still reading The Fellowship of the Ring. It's been a bit slower than I expected, but I'm still enjoying it immensely.

I just wanted to post this small quotation. It's from an elf named Gildor.

"Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift,
even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill. But what would you?
You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how then shall I choose better
than you?"

This seemed like a particularly wise passage, and I felt like it should be singled out. People can deal out advice with no thought to the end of the course that choice will bring. No one knows exactly what the future holds, we can only use our previously gained wisdom to attempt to make the best choices possible in the moment.

This is not to discredit the usefulness of advice. Many times, it is good for one to have the opinion of an outside observer. But take every bit of advice with a grain of salt, for no one knows all of your life experiences but your own self.