“When in doubt, tell the truth.”Mark Twain · Scrieri și caiete · 1897 · Scrieri și caiete, Caietele (1897)
When in doubt, tell the truth — it is the simplest and surest path.
Twain offers practical, ironic advice. In uncertain situations, lying complicates things: you have to remember what you said, build stories, and risk being caught. The truth, on the other hand, requires no memory effort and cannot backfire. For example, if you don't know an answer, saying 'I don't know' is simpler than making something up.
Why it matters It reminds us that honesty is not just moral but also practical, especially when under pressure or without a clear plan.