“When in doubt, tell the truth.”Mark Twain · Scrieri și caiete · 1897 · Scrieri și caiete, Caietul 30
In moments of confusion, tell the truth for simplicity and clarity.
Twain suggests that truth is a universal solution for moments of confusion. People often think lying gives them an advantage, but it actually creates complications. The truth, by contrast, is simple and requires no maintenance. For example, if you are invited to a party and don't want to go, a simple 'I don't feel like it' is cleaner than a fabricated excuse that could be checked.
Why it matters In a world of fast communication, the truth spares you the effort of remembering stories and managing the consequences of lies.