The Mitteler Rebbe was once in Homil visiting the known chassid Reb Aizil of Homil on the Intermediate Days of Passover. The Mitteler Rebbe's chassidim in that town bemoaned to him that Reb Aizil was not befriending them and was only involved in his own life.

The Mitteler Rebbe asked him: "Why are you not reaching out to the youngsters in your community and teaching them Chassidus?"

Reb Aizil responded: "If I don't have a quiet moment to work on myself, then how can I work with someone else?"

The Mitteler Rebbe replied: "Aizil, Aizil do as I do! When I see that I cannot have an effect on myself, should I then be a total waste? At least let me do a favor for someone else."

Shmuos v'Sippurim, vol. 2, p. 155