It is ok for somebody to tell you what to do?

Question

My dilema is:
can you tell somebody what to do if it is for his own good?
Where is the line between advice and forcing him?
You agree that is good to keep telling him what to do until he listens to you, and you don't take no for an answer?
Or is best, and right, to give him an advice once or twice and let him decide even he is making big mistake: like droping out of colleage?
Let's say that that person is your family and is an adult.
Some say that "porpouse justify the means" here.
Sory for my bad english.

Answer 1

If the person is an adult, telling him what to do will probably have little or no effect. There is a line between advice and forcing, but you can't force an adult to do anything (unless you cause them to fear for their life if they don't do what you say). Nagging him to do what you say is not likely to have the result you want, either. Even though he is making, in your opinion, a big mistake, it is his decision to make. All you can do is tell him that you think it is the wrong thing for him to do, and why you think that, and then hope he thinks it through and makes a better decision. And always remember he is your family, and be there to support him if he really screws up.

Answer 2

As the old saying goes "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink"

Personally I would say that everyone on this Earth has their own mistakes to make and their own lessons to learn. Sounds to me as though you could talk to this person from now until doomsday and they will do whatever they see as best for them.

Unfortunately this is life. All you can do is offer your advice as best you see it and hope that they see it for themselves in time. I would say however that if somewhere down the road they see the mistake DON'T use the " I told you so " line with them. It won't do you any favours in future dealings with this person.

Answer 3

If you care about someone, you have the right to give your opinion about what they should do, and provide your reasons.

You only have the right to "force" them if their actions cause direct legal or medical harm to themselves or others (such as commiting a crime, killing/abusing/poisoning someone).

Ultimately, however, you have to let people make their own mistakes and live their own life. You can offer your advice and your wisdom and your help, but you can't force them to do what you want.


Just so you know, the correct spelling is "purpose", but the quote is "the ends justify the means."

Answer 4

You can give someone advice, but you can't force them to take it, even if it seems not following your advice would hurt them. Some people have to learn by doing, not by listening and following advice. To force someone is to take control of their life and live it for them. You cannot and don't want to do that.

Answer 5

I like what you said about giving the advice once or twice then dropping it. People have to learn their own lessons in life, sometimes telling them never works-they have to experience the reality (unfortunately)

Answer 6

Noone can tell you what to do. You can get advice but it is up to you to follow it or not.

Answer 7

once you get the indoors Peace you experience chuffed,different sensible different happiness are purely time being and not passable for lengthy lasting.in this form I stay each and each & each and every 2nd chuffed, there fore each and every 2nd is my chuffed era!

Answer 8

they can give advise....but no one can tell you what to do