Short lists of important advice for life have been shared for generations, first in books and letters, then in chain emails, and today on social media. They are popular because each line is easy to remember, yet carries a lesson that can take a lifetime to master. In this article we look at where lists like this one come from, explore the main themes behind the advice, explain a useful grammar point hidden in the title, and suggest practical ways to turn these simple sentences into daily habits.
The List of Advice
ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.
EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.
TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.
THIRTEEN! . When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.
EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.
A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.
Where Do Lists Like This Come From?
The list above belongs to a family of texts that circulated widely by email in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Versions of it were often forwarded under titles such as Instructions for Life, and some copies attached the name of a famous spiritual leader or writer. However, there is no reliable evidence that any single well-known person wrote the full list in this form. It is more likely that the text grew over time, as different people added, removed, or reworded lines before passing it on.
This kind of anonymous wisdom has a long history. Proverbs, sayings, and moral maxims exist in almost every culture, from ancient Chinese and Greek collections to the rich tradition of Arabic proverbs. What makes them last is not the name of the author but the fact that readers recognize something true about human experience in them.
Why Numbered Lists Work
Numbered lists are easy to read, easy to share, and easy to return to. Each item stands alone, so a reader can pick one idea for the day without reading a long essay. Teachers and trainers often use the same format because it helps learners remember key points and discuss them one by one.
A Quick Grammar Note: Advice or Advises?
Because this article appears in an English language section, it is worth looking closely at the title. In standard English, advice is an uncountable noun. That means we do not usually add an s to make it plural, and we do not say an advice. Instead, we say some advice, a piece of advice, or a lot of advice. The word advise, spelled with an s, is a verb meaning to give advice. So advises is the verb form used with he, she, or it, as in My teacher advises me to read every day.
- Correct: She gave me some good advice.
- Correct: Here is a useful piece of advice.
- Correct: The doctor advises patients to sleep well.
- Incorrect: She gave me many advices.
A more natural title for the list would therefore be Important Advice or Important Pieces of Advice. This small detail is a common mistake for learners, and noticing it is a great example of how everyday texts can teach grammar.
The Main Themes Behind the Advice
Kindness and Generosity
Several lines encourage readers to give more than people expect and to do it cheerfully. The idea is that generosity is not only about money. It can mean giving time, attention, patience, or a sincere compliment. Many people find that small acts of kindness improve their own mood as well as the mood of others.
Honest Communication
Some of the strongest advice is about words: meaning what we say, looking people in the eye when we apologize, and choosing a partner we genuinely enjoy talking to. Good communication is often described by counselors as one of the foundations of healthy relationships. Words that match our actions build trust over time.
Respect and Responsibility
The list mentions the three R's: respect for self, respect for others, and responsibility for all your actions. This simple formula summarizes a mature approach to life. Respecting yourself means caring for your health, values, and limits. Respecting others means listening, avoiding insults, and accepting differences. Responsibility means admitting mistakes and working to correct them instead of blaming others.
Learning from Mistakes
One line says that when you lose, you should not lose the lesson. Failure is painful, but it often contains information that success does not provide. People who reflect on what went wrong, and what they could do differently, usually grow faster than people who simply try to forget a bad experience.
Dreams and Courage
The advice not to laugh at anyone's dreams, and the reminder that great achievements involve great risk, both point to the value of hope and courage. Supporting someone's ambition, even when it seems unrealistic, can give them the confidence to try. At the same time, taking reasonable risks is part of any meaningful goal.
How to Apply the Advice in Daily Life
- Choose one line per week. Write it on a card or set it as a phone reminder, and look for chances to practice it.
- Practice fair disagreement. In your next argument, focus on the problem, not the person, and avoid name calling.
- Apologize properly. When you are wrong, say so clearly, look the person in the eye, and offer to fix the situation.
- Protect friendships. Before reacting to a small dispute, ask yourself whether the issue is worth more than the relationship.
- Slow down your speech. Taking a moment before answering helps you think clearly and choose kinder words.
- Reflect at the end of the day. Ask what you learned, what went well, and what you would like to improve tomorrow.
Using the List to Learn English
Lists like this are excellent material for language learners because the sentences are short, practical, and full of useful structures. Readers can study imperatives such as Give, Marry, and Remember, which are used to give instructions. They can notice negative imperatives such as Don't believe and Never laugh. They can also learn expressions like look someone in the eye, fight fairly, and take steps to correct a mistake.
Simple Exercises
- Rewrite five lines of the list in your own words.
- Translate three lines into your native language and compare the meaning.
- Write your own list of ten pieces of advice using imperative sentences.
- Discuss with a friend which line you agree with most, and why.
A Note of Balance
Not every line in such lists will suit every reader or every culture. For example, advice about love at first sight or the length of an engagement reflects personal and cultural views rather than universal rules. The best way to read the list is as a starting point for reflection, keeping the ideas that match your values and thinking carefully about the ones that do not.
FAQ
Who wrote this list of life advice?
The author is unknown. Similar lists were widely shared by email and are sometimes credited to famous people, but those attributions are not reliably documented.
Is advices a correct English word?
As a noun, no. Advice is uncountable, so we say some advice or a piece of advice. Advises is correct only as a verb, as in He advises his students.
How can I remember the three R's?
Think of them as three circles: yourself, other people, and your actions. Respect the first two and take responsibility for the third.
Conclusion
This short list of important advice offers simple but powerful reminders about kindness, honesty, respect, responsibility, and courage. Its real value appears when we stop reading and start practicing, one line at a time. For English learners, it is also a friendly text for studying imperatives, everyday expressions, and the difference between advice and advise, making it useful for both personal growth and language growth.
