Tolkien on giving advice

Gildor the Elf says the following to Frodo.

"Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill. But what would you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how then shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice, I will for friendship's sake give it." 

 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings; Fellowship of the Ring, Book I, Chapter III (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991), p. 97.

I often myself feel like saying something like this. I put it this way, "Not that I think it will be of much help–I don't know you very well and you have surely thought about this far more than I–but I will give you my two cents."