What every one asks, what every one gives, but what very few take—advice.

Seeking guidance and offering opinions are easy; taking someone else’s counsel seriously can be much harder.

The proverb draws a wry contrast between people’s interest in advice and their reluctance to let it change what they do.

Use it when someone repeatedly asks for suggestions but ignores them, or when a conversation turns to how freely people give advice they would hesitate to follow themselves.