The quote suggests that advice can be compared to snowfall. Just as snow softens upon landing, becoming more easily absorbed into the landscape and sticking around longer, advice that gently penetrates a person's thoughts tends to stay there for a longer time and influences their decisions deeply.
This metaphor highlights the importance of how advice is delivered. When advice is offered in a gentle and considerate manner, it has a greater chance of being internalized and acted upon by the recipient. A harsh or abrasive delivery can cause the listener to reject or forget the advice quickly, much like hard snow that melts away rapidly. The softness referred to here can be understood as empathy, understanding, and patience on the part of the advisor. It implies that effective communication is not just about what is said but also how it is said.
The quote was penned by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, an influential Romantic poet and philosopher who lived from 1772 to 1834. He is best known for works such as "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and his collaboration with William Wordsworth on the publication "Lyrical Ballads." Beyond poetry, Coleridge was also a significant figure in literary criticism and philosophy, contributing insightful commentary on subjects ranging from politics to theology. His quote about advice reflects his broader interest in how language shapes our perceptions and experiences.
