--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you doubt, abstain." description: "\"When you doubt, abstain.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg" --- # When you doubt, abstain. ![“When you doubt, abstain.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg) > “When you doubt, abstain.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## 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, choose to refrain from action rather than risk a mistake. **In simple terms:** Abstain when doubtful. Key Takeaway Pause and evaluate before acting. Themes decision‑making uncertainty prudence Mood cautious analytical thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - financial investments - personal relationships - career choices - health decisions Key Concepts risk assessment self‑control judgment Questions to Reflect On - When does inaction become a problem? - How can you balance caution with initiative? A Different Perspective Over‑cautiousness may lead to missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ## Related quotes > [Zoroaster said, when in doubt abstain; but this does not always apply. At cards, when in doubt take the trick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/zoroaster-said-when-in-doubt-abstain-but-this-does-not-always-apply/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [When you are in doubt abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-you-are-in-doubt-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/to-abstain-from-sin-when-one-can-no-longer-sin-is-to-be-forsaken-by/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Every man who has ever been earnest to preserve his higher or poetic faculties in the best condition, has been particularly inclined to abstain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/every-man-who-has-ever-been-earnest-to-preserve-his-higher-or-poetic/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The Christian must abstain from sin. It is as simple and direct as that. You have no right to say, 'I am weak, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/the-christian-must-abstain-from-sin-it-is-as-simple-and-direct-as/) [Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/) > [When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-we-are-in-doubt-whether-an-action-is-good-or-bad-abstain-from-it/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) John Randolph of Roanoke ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Abstain quotes > [We ought to observe that practice which is the hardest of all-especially for young physicians-we ought to throw in no medicine at all-to abstain-to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-randolph-of-roanoke/we-ought-to-observe-that-practice-which-is-the-hardest-of-all/) John Randolph of Roanoke > [When you are near I abstain myself,but when you are away I badly miss you sweetheart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pappi-reddy/when-you-are-near-i-abstain-myself-but-when-you-are-away-i-badly-miss/) [Pappi Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pappi-reddy/) > [“THAT you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves, from these you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/that-you-abstain-from-things-offered-to-idols-from-blood-from-things/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Make no mistake: Deciding to abstain from the Pledge of Allegiance does communicate something, and therefore, it is a form of speech. It's also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kat-timpf/make-no-mistake-deciding-to-abstain-from-the-pledge-of-allegiance/) [Kat Timpf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kat-timpf/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In doubt if an action is just, abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/in-doubt-if-an-action-is-just-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [I find it easier to abstain than do a little bit of anything. I'm not a 'little bit' kind of dame. I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-stritch/i-find-it-easier-to-abstain-than-do-a-little-bit-of-anything-i-m-not/) [Elaine Stritch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-stritch/) > [We live only to dance. If living were not an essential prerequisite, we would abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/we-live-only-to-dance-if-living-were-not-an-essential-prerequisite-we/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [When I am giving the relation of a thing, remember to abstain from altering either in the matter or manner of speaking, so much,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/when-i-am-giving-the-relation-of-a-thing-remember-to-abstain-from/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [When we are in doubt whether an action is good or bad, abstain from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-we-are-in-doubt-whether-an-action-is-good-or-bad-abstain-from-it/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [The Christian must abstain from sin. It is as simple and direct as that. You have no right to say, 'I am weak, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martyn/the-christian-must-abstain-from-sin-it-is-as-simple-and-direct-as/) [Martyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martyn/) > [When you are in doubt abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoroaster/when-you-are-in-doubt-abstain/) [Zoroaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoroaster/) > [Every man who has ever been earnest to preserve his higher or poetic faculties in the best condition, has been particularly inclined to abstain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/every-man-who-has-ever-been-earnest-to-preserve-his-higher-or-poetic/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/to-abstain-from-sin-when-one-can-no-longer-sin-is-to-be-forsaken-by/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Abstain from all sinful, unwholesome actions, perform only pious wholesome ones, purify the mind; this is the teaching of enlightened ones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/abstain-from-all-sinful-unwholesome-actions-perform-only-pious/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) Browse all 61 Abstain quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you doubt, abstain.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-you-doubt-abstain/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-you-doubt-abstain/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/128/ambrose-bierce-140_doubt_when-you-doubt-abstain-1771847_1771847.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When you doubt, abstain.” — Ambrose Bierce", "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": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When you doubt, abstain.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-you-doubt-abstain/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/when-you-doubt-abstain/#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 } } ] } ```