We may talk about our troubles to those persons who can give us direct , but even in this case we ought as much as possible to come to a provisional conclusion before consultation; to be perfectly clear to ourselves within our own limits.

The question is incomplete. It only includes part of the first paragraph. So the full text is the following.

We may talk about our troubles to those persons who can give us direct help, but even in this case we ought as much as possible to come to a provisional conclusion before consultation; to be perfectly clear to ourselves within our own limits. Some people have a foolish trick of applying for aid before they have done anything whatever to aid themselves, and in fact try to talk themselves into perspicuity. The only way in which they can think is by talking, and their speech consequently is not the expression of opinion already and carefully formed, but the manufacture of it.

We may also tell our troubles to those who are suffering if we can lessen their own. It may be a very great relief to them to know that others have passed through trials equal to theirs and have survived. There are obscure, nervous diseases, hypochondriac fancies, almost uncontrollable impulses, which terrify by their apparent singularity. If we could believe that they are common, the worst of the fear would vanish.

But, as a rule, we should be very careful for our own sake not to speak much about what distresses us. Expression is apt to carry with it exaggeration, and this exaggerated form becomes henceforth that under which we represent our miseries to ourselves, so that they are thereby increased. By reserve, on the other hand, they are diminished, for we attach less importance to that which it was not worthwhile to mention. Secrecy, in fact, maybe our salvation.

The question is "How does the second paragraph differ from the first and third paragraphs?

The correct answer is B) it provides a counterpoint.

The other options of the question were A) it establishes a conceit. C) it narrates a first-person account. D) it refers to authority. E) it does not differ from the first and third paragraphs.

It provides a counterpoint in the sense that the author -Mark Rutherford- establishes in his work "Talking About Our Troubles," that is could be of some help talking about our troubles to ease the pain of other people to vanish their fear. So it is a point that differs from the ideas of the first and third paragraphs.

it is a better alternative