The temptation is to become rather possessive of newcomers. Perhaps we try to give them advice about their affairs which we aren't really competent to give or ought not give at all. Then we are hurt and confused when the advice is rejected, or when it is accepted and brings still greater confusion.
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"You can't make a horse drink water if he still prefers beer or is too crazy to know what he does want. Set a pail of water beside him, tell him how good it is and why, and leave him alone.
"If people really want to get drunk, there is, so far as I know, no way stopping this--so leave them alone and let them get drunk. But don't exclude them from the water pail, either."
I sometimes forget how much good stuff is in our little book of "As Bill Sees It". There are some passagages I need help to understand, but then there are ones like this one. So simple, to the point, and true.
