--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a…" description: "\"“Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine.”\" — Ally Carter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png" --- # Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine. ![“Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine.” quote by Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png) > ““Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine.”” [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When uncertain, seek guidance from a marine, implying trust in disciplined, experienced individuals for advice. **In simple terms:** Ask a marine when unsure. Key Takeaway Seek disciplined guidance. Themes advice trust discipline uncertainty Mood pragmatic lighthearted Type practical humorous When to use this quote - career advice - emergency response - team leadership Key Concepts military culture leadership decision making Questions to Reflect On - When is marine advice most valuable? - How can one find similar disciplined mentors? A Different Perspective Marine expertise may not apply to all contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubt Marine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt-marine-2221604/) [Marine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marine/) [Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule/) [Rule Thumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-thumb-731839/) [Thumb Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thumb-doubt-2221605/) ## Related quotes > [When it comes to risk, a good rule of thumb is: 'Would you do it if no one was watching?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/when-it-comes-to-risk-a-good-rule-of-thumb-is-would-you-do-it-if-no/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [I've always had this rule of thumb: If you have fun making it, then someone will have fun watching it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-starr/i-ve-always-had-this-rule-of-thumb-if-you-have-fun-making-it-then/) [Antony Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-starr/) > [My rule of thumb is that I want to do things I'd like to go and see myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sheen/my-rule-of-thumb-is-that-i-want-to-do-things-i-d-like-to-go-and-see/) [Michael Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sheen/) > [It's a good rule of thumb, it seems to me: if you're not allowed to see where something comes from, don't put it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/it-s-a-good-rule-of-thumb-it-seems-to-me-if-you-re-not-allowed-to-see/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [The rule of thumb in F1 is to beat your teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nico-hulkenberg/the-rule-of-thumb-in-f1-is-to-beat-your-teammate/) [Nico Hulkenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nico-hulkenberg/) > [Ive always had this rule of thumb: If you have fun making it, then someone will have fun watching it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-starr/ive-always-had-this-rule-of-thumb-if-you-have-fun-making-it-then/) [Antony Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-starr/) > [“rule of thumb.’” His eyes found Erwin’s and they were gleaming. “You familiar with that one, doc?” Erwin hesitated before nodding slowly. “I’ve heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-d-prescott/rule-of-thumb-his-eyes-found-erwin-s-and-they-were-gleaming-you/) [James D. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-d-prescott/) > [An old Zen rule of thumb is not to answer until one has been asked three times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joko-beck/an-old-zen-rule-of-thumb-is-not-to-answer-until-one-has-been-asked/) [Joko Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joko-beck/) > [And of course we are familiar with the English common law rule of thumb that said a man could in fact use a stick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-ireland/and-of-course-we-are-familiar-with-the-english-common-law-rule-of/) [Patricia Ireland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-ireland/) > [A good rule of thumb for many things in life holds that things take longer to happen than you think they will, and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/a-good-rule-of-thumb-for-many-things-in-life-holds-that-things-take/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [“The astronomer's rule of thumb: if you didn't write it down, it didn't happen”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifford-stoll/the-astronomer-s-rule-of-thumb-if-you-didn-t-write-it-down-it-didn-t/) [Clifford Stoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifford-stoll/) > [“I have a rule of thumb—if you have a puzzle and the answers are elegant and simple, it means someone is trying to fuck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/i-have-a-rule-of-thumb-if-you-have-a-puzzle-and-the-answers-are/) [Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/) > [“Sorting papers Rule of thumb—discard everything Once”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-kondo/sorting-papers-rule-of-thumb-discard-everything-once/) [Marie Kondō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-kondo/) > [I go by my own body type when it comes to fasting, which means that I would not follow some general advice or rule…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riya-sen/i-go-by-my-own-body-type-when-it-comes-to-fasting-which-means-that-i/) [Riya Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riya-sen/) > [“I have a rule of thumb, one that will often enough rescue from one miserable situation only to plunge me into the next one.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-vigoleis-thelen/i-have-a-rule-of-thumb-one-that-will-often-enough-rescue-from-one/) [Albert Vigoleis Thelen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-vigoleis-thelen/) ## More by Ally Carter > [Can I see you outside for a second?" Kat glared at Hale, then walked to the patio doors and out onto the veranda. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/can-i-see-you-outside-for-a-second-kat-glared-at-hale-then-walked-to/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [You switched the days," I said, dismayed. "You blew the tire. You..." I trailed off, probably because the next words out of my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/you-switched-the-days-i-said-dismayed-you-blew-the-tire-you-i-trailed/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [That's good; don't deny it. Denying the undeniable just makes you sound like a fool as well as a liar. In this profession, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/that-s-good-don-t-deny-it-denying-the-undeniable-just-makes-you-sound/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [Sleep every chance you get. Eat every chance you get. Those were two of the many lessons that Kat learned at her father’s knee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/sleep-every-chance-you-get-eat-every-chance-you-get-those-were-two-of/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [How are we doing, Simon?" she whispered into the small microphone in her collar. "Just about..." Simon started slowly. And then he stopped. "Wow."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/how-are-we-doing-simon-she-whispered-into-the-small-microphone-in-her/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [“What was so important that I had to risk my friends' safety to sneak out here?" I demanded. "Huh? What was so -" "I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/what-was-so-important-that-i-had-to-risk-my-friends-safety-to-sneak/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [Yes?' Joe Solomon sounded like someone with far better things to do. 'Is there any homework?' she asked, and the class turned instantly from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/yes-joe-solomon-sounded-like-someone-with-far-better-things-to-do-is/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [real strength is not hitting when what you most want to do is kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/real-strength-is-not-hitting-when-what-you-most-want-to-do-is-kill/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [When Zach said, "Im going to kill Dr. Steve." It wasn't the angered threat of a worried boy; it was the calm, cool statement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/when-zach-said-im-going-to-kill-dr-steve-it-wasn-t-the-angered-threat/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [“Kat turned back to Hale. "The Mary Poppins?" "Seemed like a good idea at the time." "Oh. Yeah. Obviously. Just so we're clear, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/kat-turned-back-to-hale-the-mary-poppins-seemed-like-a-good-idea-at/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [If you don't want to be a victim, don't act like one." It was fairly safe to assume that that was the first time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/if-you-don-t-want-to-be-a-victim-don-t-act-like-one-it-was-fairly/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [I love your bracelet!’ I said to the brunette next to me, because, while most girls are onto the whole stranger-with-candy thing, the strangers-with-compliments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-love-your-bracelet-i-said-to-the-brunette-next-to-me-because-while/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [“I’m not crazy,” I whispered. “I know.” Believe it or not, that’s the most romantic thing Zachary Goode ever told me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-m-not-crazy-i-whispered-i-know-believe-it-or-not-that-s-the-most/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [MY 5 FAVORITE BOOKS!!! LOVE ALLY CARTER SPY BOOKS. THEY. ARE. THE. BEST. BOOKS... EVER!!!!!!!! u must read if u like spy, thriller and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/my-5-favorite-books-love-ally-carter-spy-books-they-are-the-best/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) > [I wrapped my arms around my knees and stared through the window's wavy glass. The red velvet curtains were drawn around the tiny alcove,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/i-wrapped-my-arms-around-my-knees-and-stared-through-the-window-s/) [Ally Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) [Explore all 470 Ally Carter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) [Harry Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapman/) > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ally Carter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e6/ally-carter-530_doubt_rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marin_1014220.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Rule of thumb: when in doubt, find a marine.” — Ally Carter", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ally Carter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-carter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Rule of thumb: when in doubt,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-carter/rule-of-thumb-when-in-doubt-find-a-marine/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```