--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better to trust the man who is frequently…" description: "\"Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.\" — Eric Sevareid" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg" --- # Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than… ![“Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.” quote by Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg) > “Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.” [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It is wiser to trust someone who admits mistakes than someone who never questions themselves. **In simple terms:** Trust the fallible over the overconfident. Key Takeaway Value humility in judgment. Themes humility trust confidence error self-awareness Mood thoughtful analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - personal relationships - decision making - advisory roles Key Concepts psychology epistemology leadership Questions to Reflect On - Do you trust people who admit mistakes? - How does doubt affect credibility? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can also indicate expertise; not all errors are equal. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) ## Related quotes > [“I should have known better than to trust a man who loved power ballads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-should-have-known-better-than-to-trust-a-man-who-loved-power-ballads/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [The dog has seldom been successful in pulling man up to its level of sagacity, but man has frequently dragged the dog down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/the-dog-has-seldom-been-successful-in-pulling-man-up-to-its-level-of/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [Cosmologists are often in error, but never in doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-landau/cosmologists-are-often-in-error-but-never-in-doubt/) [Lev Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-landau/) > [You know yourself better than anyone and you have to trust that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruel/you-know-yourself-better-than-anyone-and-you-have-to-trust-that/) Ruel > [“Never trust a man who spends too much time on his hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridie-clark/never-trust-a-man-who-spends-too-much-time-on-his-hair/) [Bridie Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridie-clark/) > [I'm so much better off when I trust my instincts. But they're not perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hellmuth/i-m-so-much-better-off-when-i-trust-my-instincts-but-they-re-not/) [Phil Hellmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hellmuth/) > [It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalms 118:8](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akaro/it-is-better-to-trust-in-the-lord-than-to-put-confidence-in-man/) [Akaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akaro/) > [It is better to trust …...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/it-is-better-to-trust/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [(It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/psalms-118-8/it-is-better-to-trust-in-the-lord-than-to-put-confidence-in-man-2/) Psalms 118:8 > [“It is better to trust the Divine Eternal God than to put confidence in mere mortal man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-trust-the-divine-eternal-god-than-to-put-confidence/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Better trust all, and be deceived, And weep that trust and that deceiving, Than doubt one heart, that if believed Had blessed one's life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-kemble/better-trust-all-and-be-deceived-and-weep-that-trust-and-that/) [Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-kemble/) > [Truth might be bitter but it's always better.Trust me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anozie-virtue/truth-might-be-bitter-but-it-s-always-better-trust-me/) Anozie Virtue > [Better to trust in the God who lavishes care on the whole earth. Than to spend our lives worrying about money and possessions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianette-carbito/better-to-trust-in-the-god-who-lavishes-care-on-the-whole-earth-than/) [Marianette Carbito](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianette-carbito/) > [It is better to trust and sometimes be disappointed than to be forever mistrusting and be right occasionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/it-is-better-to-trust-and-sometimes-be-disappointed-than-to-be/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [“He should have known better than to trust Riko's word.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-sakavic/he-should-have-known-better-than-to-trust-riko-s-word/) [Nora Sakavic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-sakavic/) ## More by Eric Sevareid > [The bigger the information media, the less courage and freedom they follow. Bigness means weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/the-bigger-the-information-media-the-less-courage-and-freedom-they/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [The chief cause of problems is solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/the-chief-cause-of-problems-is-solutions/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [It is perfectly clear that people, given no alternative, will choose tyranny over anarchy, because anarchy is the worst tyranny of all... The special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/it-is-perfectly-clear-that-people-given-no-alternative-will-choose/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [I'm sort of a pessimist about tomorrow and an optimist about the day after tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/i-m-sort-of-a-pessimist-about-tomorrow-and-an-optimist-about-the-day/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [The difference between the men and the boys in politics is, and always has been , that the boys want to be something, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/the-difference-between-the-men-and-the-boys-in-politics-is-and-always/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [Saints are usually killed by their own people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/saints-are-usually-killed-by-their-own-people/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [Tenacity is a pretty fair substitute for bravery, and the best form of tenacity I know is expressed in a Danish fur trapper's principle:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/tenacity-is-a-pretty-fair-substitute-for-bravery-and-the-best-form-of/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [The major cause of problems are solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/the-major-cause-of-problems-are-solutions/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [It is only people with a sense of personal responsibility who can help others. It is only people with a sense of personal responsibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/it-is-only-people-with-a-sense-of-personal-responsibility-who-can/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [The five happiest people I have ever met all had this strange little quirk of referring to their jobs as a 'calling.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/the-five-happiest-people-i-have-ever-met-all-had-this-strange-little/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [For children, Christmas is anticipation. For adults, Christmas is memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/for-children-christmas-is-anticipation-for-adults-christmas-is-memory/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [Most problems are caused by solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/most-problems-are-caused-by-solutions/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [Men want power in order to do something. Boys want power in order to be something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/men-want-power-in-order-to-do-something-boys-want-power-in-order-to/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [“Never underestimate your listener's intelligence, or overestimate you listener's information.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/never-underestimate-your-listener-s-intelligence-or-overestimate-you/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) > [No man was ever more than about nine meals away from crime or suicide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/no-man-was-ever-more-than-about-nine-meals-away-from-crime-or-suicide/) [Eric Sevareid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) [Explore all 33 Eric Sevareid quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/) ## 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 > [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 > [“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": "Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Sevareid" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequently-in-error-than-the-one-who/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequently-in-error-than-the-one-who/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/994/eric-sevareid-18932_doubt_better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequentl_778557.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.” — Eric Sevareid", "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": "Eric Sevareid", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-sevareid/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Better to trust the man who...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequently-in-error-than-the-one-who/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-sevareid/better-to-trust-the-man-who-is-frequently-in-error-than-the-one-who/#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 } } ] } ```