--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here's what I say - when you don't know…" description: "\"“Here's what I say - when you don't know or can't know the answer to a question, why not believe the answer you like best? It's as valid as any of the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jean-ferris-21530_answer_here-s-what-i-say-when-you-don-t-know-or_1914258.png" --- # Here's what I say - when you don't know or can't know the… ![“Here's what I say - when you don't know or can't know the answer to a question, why not believe the answer you like best? It's as valid as any of the others - and it might be right.” quote by Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jean-ferris-21530_answer_here-s-what-i-say-when-you-don-t-know-or_1914258.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jean-ferris-21530_answer_here-s-what-i-say-when-you-don-t-know-or_1914258.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/jean-ferris-21530_answer_here-s-what-i-say-when-you-don-t-know-or_1914258.png) > ““Here's what I say - when you don't know or can't know the answer to a question, why not believe the answer you like best? It's as valid as any of the others - and it might be right.”” [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When answers are unknown, believing the most appealing one is permissible, though not guaranteed correct. **In simple terms:** Believe what feels right when unsure. Key Takeaway Choose a hopeful answer, stay open. Themes belief uncertainty choice Mood curious open‑minded Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - faith - creative brainstorming Key Concepts subjective truth cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - How do you test your belief? - When is skepticism needed? A Different Perspective Preferable answers may be false. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) ## Related quotes > [“You can't know the answer until you ask the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-e-smith/you-can-t-know-the-answer-until-you-ask-the-question/) [Jennifer E. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-e-smith/) > [Why ask a question If you already know The answer? That's like me walking into Taco-Bell And asking If they sell tacos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelly-hatton/why-ask-a-question-if-you-already-know-the-answer-that-s-like-me/) Shelly Hatton > [“If we are going to create lives of love, compassion, and purpose, we have the charge to question what we believe. It is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-cates/if-we-are-going-to-create-lives-of-love-compassion-and-purpose-we/) [Regina Cates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-cates/) > [Put it this way: If I asked, 'How's business?' and you say, 'Boomin' or 'Amazing,' I already know the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-khaled/put-it-this-way-if-i-asked-how-s-business-and-you-say-boomin-or/) [DJ Khaled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-khaled/) > [When you don't know what the answer is, you know \*Who\* the answer is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-burkett/when-you-don-t-know-what-the-answer-is-you-know-who-the-answer-is/) [Larry Burkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-burkett/) > [“You're the only one I ever believe in, the answer that could never be found.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goo-goo-dolls-cdwzym-abcd040/you-re-the-only-one-i-ever-believe-in-the-answer-that-could-never-be/) Goo Goo Dolls Cdwzym Abcd040 > [If I say I love you, would you believe it? Can you see the answer through my eyes?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-say-i-love-you-would-you-believe-it-can-you-see-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If I had a question you best believe you would answer it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/if-i-had-a-question-you-best-believe-you-would-answer-it/) [Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [I now had enough faith not only to believe there were answer, but to feel certain that those answers would become apparent at some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-carson/i-now-had-enough-faith-not-only-to-believe-there-were-answer-but-to/) [Benjamin Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-carson/) > [Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/believe-it-is-possible-to-solve-your-problem-tremendous-things-happen/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“Before, I never knew how far I would go. Now I believe I have the answer. I will go as far as there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/before-i-never-knew-how-far-i-would-go-now-i-believe-i-have-the/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [If you want something you just have to see it and believe in it and not take no for an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-springfield/if-you-want-something-you-just-have-to-see-it-and-believe-in-it-and/) [Rick Springfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-springfield/) > [“What kind of God do you believe in? my answer is easy: I believe in a magnificent God”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/what-kind-of-god-do-you-believe-in-my-answer-is-easy-i-believe-in-a/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“You don't need to see the answer. You just need to ask the questions and believe the answer exists.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sacredfire/you-don-t-need-to-see-the-answer-you-just-need-to-ask-the-questions/) [Robin Sacredfire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sacredfire/) > [There is no longer time for statements like 'if only' or 'we can't.' We must and we will succeed. The only question now is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-riley/there-is-no-longer-time-for-statements-like-if-only-or-we-can-t-we/) [Bob Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-riley/) ## More by Jean Ferris > [It was good, too, to remember how hard a lot of people had to work to keep a kingdom running well, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/it-was-good-too-to-remember-how-hard-a-lot-of-people-had-to-work-to/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [I figured that when there's no way of knowing what the future holds it's just as easy to believe it'll be good as to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/i-figured-that-when-there-s-no-way-of-knowing-what-the-future-holds/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [You should work extra hard to be your best selves. True evil has a hard time operating in the face of strenuous manifestations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/you-should-work-extra-hard-to-be-your-best-selves-true-evil-has-a/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“ Carpe Diam forever after.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/carpe-diam-forever-after/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“And Phoebe and Sebastian went their separate ways, to the blacksmith shop and the library, after several backward glances that weren't coordinated enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/and-phoebe-and-sebastian-went-their-separate-ways-to-the-blacksmith/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [Rats. Rats, mice, and rodents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/rats-rats-mice-and-rodents/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [I'm starting to believe that happily ever after includes people doing things that upset each other. We all get cranky, or impatient, or worried,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/i-m-starting-to-believe-that-happily-ever-after-includes-people-doing/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“His recent dungeon experience had persuaded him that opportunites for good things should be grabbed and not postponed. You never knew when you wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/his-recent-dungeon-experience-had-persuaded-him-that-opportunites-for/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [That cup of tea is definately not down your alley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/that-cup-of-tea-is-definately-not-down-your-alley/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [I know it's important to do more than just complain when there's something you don't like. You need to try to do something about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/i-know-it-s-important-to-do-more-than-just-complain-when-there-s/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“You go to grab your moments and squeeze them dry. Enjoy them while you’re having them. Then remember and enjoy them all over again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/you-go-to-grab-your-moments-and-squeeze-them-dry-enjoy-them-while-you/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“As it so often does, an impulsive, daring suddenly - and too late - seemed seriously flawed in its conception and its inability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/as-it-so-often-does-an-impulsive-daring-suddenly-and-too-late-seemed/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [“C: What do you get when a giant sneezes? Out of the way. - Marigold”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/c-what-do-you-get-when-a-giant-sneezes-out-of-the-way-marigold/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [And they lived happily (aside from a few normal disagreements, misunderstandings, pouts, silent treatments, and unexpected calamities) ever after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/and-they-lived-happily-aside-from-a-few-normal-disagreements/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) > [No matter how good somebody's life looks from the outside, you can be sure there's something about it you wouldn't want to have in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ferris/no-matter-how-good-somebody-s-life-looks-from-the-outside-you-can-be/) [Jean Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) [Explore all 29 Jean Ferris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ferris/) ## More Answer quotes > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [What you are is a question only you can answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/what-you-are-is-a-question-only-you-can-answer/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [“And if you can’t say yes, answer anyway. Because I’d rather live with the answer than die with the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ellis/and-if-you-can-t-say-yes-answer-anyway-because-i-d-rather-live-with/) Jon Ellis > [“There is a cure and answer to everything, we just haven't found them yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-halimi/there-is-a-cure-and-answer-to-everything-we-just-haven-t-found-them/) [Eve Halimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-halimi/) > [Whenever I'm asked about Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, I always answer: 'Neymar is the best,' not just because of his goals but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/whenever-i-m-asked-about-cristiano-ronaldo-or-lionel-messi-i-always/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [A wiki works best where you're trying to answer a question that you can't easily pose, where there's not a natural structure that's known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/a-wiki-works-best-where-you-re-trying-to-answer-a-question-that-you/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [“Those are good questions. I recognize good questions, because I can come up with them myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/those-are-good-questions-i-recognize-good-questions-because-i-can/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [My answer is bring 'em on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/my-answer-is-bring-em-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'll answer anything... I'm brutally honest, actually, which gets me in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-ll-answer-anything-i-m-brutally-honest-actually-which-gets-me-in/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/i-guess-i-can-put-two-and-two-together-sometimes-the-answer-s-four-i/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Jumping someone is never the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jumping-someone-is-never-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I play along myself, even though I can't help the player. So I can't say what I think the answer might be. But I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-mcguinness/i-play-along-myself-even-though-i-can-t-help-the-player-so-i-can-t/) [Paddy McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-mcguinness/) > [Sometimes the question is complicated, but the answers are simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-suess/sometimes-the-question-is-complicated-but-the-answers-are-simple/) [Dr Suess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-suess/) Browse all 2,090 Answer quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Here's what I say - when you don't know or can't know the answer to a question, why not believe the answer you like best? 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