--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instruction, and advice, and commands…" description: "\"Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe y..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bf/j-c-ryle-789_action_instruction-and-advice-and-commands-will_1849636.jpg" --- # Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little… ![“Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are in earnest, and really wish them to obey you, so long as your actions contradict your counsel... Think not your children will practise what…” quote by J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bf/j-c-ryle-789_action_instruction-and-advice-and-commands-will_1849636.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bf/j-c-ryle-789_action_instruction-and-advice-and-commands-will_1849636.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bf/j-c-ryle-789_action_instruction-and-advice-and-commands-will_1849636.jpg) > “Instruction, and advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are in earnest, and really wish them to obey you, so long as your actions contradict your counsel... Think not your children will practise what they do not see you do. You are their model picture, and they will copy what you are... will seldom learn habits which they see you despise, or walk in paths in which you do not walk yourself.” [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children judge parents by what they see, not what they hear; actions must align with advice to be credible. **In simple terms:** Kids copy what parents do, not what they say. Key Takeaway Live what you preach. Themes parenting integrity role modeling Mood reflective serious Type advice ethical When to use this quote - family life - teaching - leadership - personal development Key Concepts moral consistency behavioral influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your daily habits match your guidance? - What habits do you model for your children? A Different Perspective Advice without action loses impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Patterns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patterns/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Habits are learned. And children learn their habits by watching what we do, not by listening to what we say. 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Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Amidst the flood of dangerous reading, I plead for my Master's book; I call upon you not to forget the book of the soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/amidst-the-flood-of-dangerous-reading-i-plead-for-my-master-s-book-i/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Persecution, in short, is like the goldsmith's stamp on real silver and gold - it is one of the marks of a converted man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/persecution-in-short-is-like-the-goldsmith-s-stamp-on-real-silver-and/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [The parent who tries to train without setting a good example is building with one hand, and pulling down with the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/the-parent-who-tries-to-train-without-setting-a-good-example-is/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [We are all naturally self-righteous. 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