The irony of advice

The aphorism I chose to analyze from the preface of Oscar Wildes, The Picture of Dorian Gray is, “The only thing that one should do with good advice is pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” Wilde is referencing how most of the time people chose to give great advice or words of wisdom to others, however they never seem to implement this advice to themselves or with conflicts arising in their own lives. I personally agree with this aphorism by Wilde because I have had experiences in my life where I seem to have all the right words or things to say to others in moments of need but cannot do the same for myself when it comes to my own life and issues ive had in friendships, relationships, or other circumstances that are similar to what my peers have gone through. Another literary work that coincides with Wildes aphorism that I had encountered in my high school English class is Scott. F. Geralds, The Great Gatsby. In the novel and film, the reader sees the characters Daisy and Nick Carraway provide advice to those around them but fail to correct their own actions and decisions that they have made. I recall early in the novel when daisy had stated that she hopes her daughter is a, “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”. This advice she shares is contradictory to herself and the life she has settled for because Daisy is anything but unaware of her situation with her adulterous husband and allows him to have an affair despite her own wishes because she wants this lavish lifestyle that her husband can provide her with. Nick Carraway is also a prime example of this aphorism by Wilde because he is socially aware of all the mistakes people are making around him and how poorly things could go, however he remains in these troubling situations despite knowing the wrongdoings of his peers. Nick Carraway often shares advice on not being judgmental towards others and being open minded, however he often passes judgement onto others especially Tom and Daisys relationship and their dynamic, especially how daisy refuses to leave him despite his infidelity. Nick also shares his thoughts about solely being an observer at Gatsbys party and not indulging in drinking like the other attendee’s. Despite his prior commitment to only observing he decides to engage in others’ behaviors at the party and gets drunk contradicting his agreement and advice to himself about remaining sober despite attending Gatsby’s party. Through these examples it has furthered my agreement of Oscar Wildes aphorism and proves to me that despite what advice people give to others, they will still contradict themselves and refuse to take their own advice despite knowing it is the right thing to do because of their own motives and wants when it comes to engaging with others and their decisions in social settings. I believe that Wildes aphorism applies to people today and how I’ve seen others around me directly go against their own advice to others because they don’t want the same for themself even if they know that they would be better off if they chose to follow their words of wisdom that they project onto other.