When in doubt, tell the truth.
Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar
When in doubt, tell the truth.
Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar
What it means
Short and practical: when you are unsure what to say, honesty is the safe default. It also saves you from having to remember stories. Tell it straight.
The source
"When in doubt, tell the truth." Mark Twain said it in Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar. Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.
"When in doubt, tell the truth."Original English (Following the Equator, 1897), Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar. Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
Mark Twain (1835–1910). American humorist and novelist. His sharpest one-liners appear as Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894) and Following the Equator (1897).
Questions
- What does "When in doubt, tell the truth." mean?
- Short and practical: when you are unsure what to say, honesty is the safe default. It also saves you from having to remember stories. Tell it straight.
- Who said "When in doubt, tell the truth."?
- Mark Twain (1835–1910). Source: Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar.
- What is the original wording?
- When in doubt, tell the truth (Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). Written in English: Following the Equator, 1897.
- Is "When in doubt, tell the truth." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"When in doubt, tell the truth." (Mark Twain, Following the Equator (1897), ch. 2, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar, trans. Original English (Following the Equator, 1897)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/when-in-doubt-tell-the-truth
Filed under Quotes about character.
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More from Mark Twain
- Courage is mastery of fear, not absence of fear.Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 12, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
- Live so that when you die even the undertaker will be sorry.Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
- Habit isn't thrown out the window. Coax it downstairs a step at a time.Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 6, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
- Put all your eggs in one basket. Then watch that basket.Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894), ch. 15, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
- Do something every day you don't want to do.Following the Equator (1897), ch. 58, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar
- Noise proves nothing. A hen cackles over an egg like it laid an asteroid.Following the Equator (1897), ch. 5, Pudd'nhead Wilson's New Calendar