Rabbi Yisroel Salanter once asked his teacher, the saintly R’ Yosel Zundel of Salant, if he should study mussar. “Yes, yes,” was the reply, “study mussar and you will develop positive character traits.” 

Rav Yisroel used to say that these words pierced him like an arrow…and ended up devoting his life to the study of mussar concepts…and spreading these ideals and principles to the masses. 

We can learn from this that if someone is open to hearing what you have to say, even one statement can have a major influence on his entire life. 

R’ Simcha Zissel Ziv zt”l