Originally Posted by Flooter
That’s precisely the intent behind the phrase “I’m sure you mean well”. The speaker is saying they know both what’s in their counterpart’s heart and the correct course of action for the situation (how arrogant!) all the while sweetly damning with faint praise (sure, kiddo, you did your best). I’d be hard pressed to find a more patronizing phrase. You see that now, I’m sure.

Disagree. For example,

A: Man, I just can't figure this out

B: *tries to help*

A: "I'm sure you mean well, but I should figure this out myself"

Who is talking, where they're from, what socioeconomic status they come from, etc, all play a role in how language is meant.

Now, the phrase
Quote
You see that now, I’m sure.
is very much passive aggressive, and I can't think of a situation where it wouldn't be aggressive.