--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most men appear wiser in their doubts…" description: "\"Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief.\" — Norm MacDonald" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png" --- # Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief. ![“Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief.” quote by Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png) > “Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief.” [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Men often project confidence in uncertainty, while true belief can appear less assured. **In simple terms:** Doubt can seem wiser than belief. Key Takeaway Balance confidence with humility. Themes confidence doubt wisdom masculinity Mood contemplative humorous Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - personal reflection - conversation - public speaking Key Concepts psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - When does doubt become paralysis? - How can belief be expressed modestly? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can be harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appear Wiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appear-wiser-3362825/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubts/) [Doubts Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubts-belief-3362826/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Appear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-appear-3362827/) [Wiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wiser/) [Wiser Doubts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wiser-doubts-3362824/) ## Related quotes > [“I believe despite my doubts, belief gives me power reason takes away”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/i-believe-despite-my-doubts-belief-gives-me-power-reason-takes-away/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [You have to appear wiser and more prudent than is required by the people you are dealing with if you want to give a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/you-have-to-appear-wiser-and-more-prudent-than-is-required-by-the/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [“But now misery has come home, and men appear to me as monsters thirsting for each other's blood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-shelley/but-now-misery-has-come-home-and-men-appear-to-me-as-monsters/) [Mary Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-shelley/) > [I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good; but he fancies he knows something, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-am-wiser-than-this-man-for-neither-of-us-appears-to-know-anything/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“In my eye, men appear at their most powerful when they strain to reach that momentary perfection. Every muscle and sinew is taut, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-my-eye-men-appear-at-their-most-powerful-when-they-strain-to-reach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you have any doubts that God speaks, then look outside and admire His creativity. His creation is a core component of His language”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-galloway/if-you-have-any-doubts-that-god-speaks-then-look-outside-and-admire/) [Jamie Galloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-galloway/) > [It is better not to become acquainted with men about whom you have formerly had doubts. No matter what you do, they will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yamamoto-tsunetomo/it-is-better-not-to-become-acquainted-with-men-about-whom-you-have/) [Yamamoto Tsunetomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yamamoto-tsunetomo/) > [I write what I like to read, and I enjoy love triangles in YA and adult fiction - not to mention in other media…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/i-write-what-i-like-to-read-and-i-enjoy-love-triangles-in-ya-and/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [“Self-doubts are like weeds; if you don't deal with them right away, they multiply. And before you know it, your garden looks like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/self-doubts-are-like-weeds-if-you-don-t-deal-with-them-right-away/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) > [Even when you have doubts, take that step. Take chances. Mistakes are never a failure - they can be turned into wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-cora/even-when-you-have-doubts-take-that-step-take-chances-mistakes-are/) [Cat Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-cora/) > [“Doubts. They seep into your bloodstream, they plague every unused crevice inside your brain with revolving questions and no real answers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mia-asher/doubts-they-seep-into-your-bloodstream-they-plague-every-unused/) [Mia Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mia-asher/) > [“An atheist is someone who is disappointed in his search of god. He is a man who strongly needed god but couldn't find him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bangambiki-habyarimana/an-atheist-is-someone-who-is-disappointed-in-his-search-of-god-he-is/) [Bangambiki Habyarimana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bangambiki-habyarimana/) > [You see all of us go through the same doubts. We are afraid of being mad; unfortunately for us, of course, all of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-castaneda/you-see-all-of-us-go-through-the-same-doubts-we-are-afraid-of-being/) [Carlos Castaneda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-castaneda/) > [“If we rest our assurance on an experience and not on the Word of God, we're inviting all kinds of doubts to assail us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul-2/if-we-rest-our-assurance-on-an-experience-and-not-on-the-word-of-god/) [R.C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul-2/) > [“If one does not know how to read the account (karmic) book, then he will start to have doubts, and doubts lead to unhappiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/if-one-does-not-know-how-to-read-the-account-karmic-book-then-he-will/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Norm MacDonald > [In estimating the adversities of life, we would seldom have much reason to complain of the evils we suffer, did we understand the dangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-estimating-the-adversities-of-life-we-would-seldom-have-much/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Chastity is oftener owing to diffidence and shame, than to fortitude of reason or virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/chastity-is-oftener-owing-to-diffidence-and-shame-than-to-fortitude/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I'd say Jon Stewart has remained funny the entire time. Jon always makes it funny first. And he's just, he's talking about serious things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-d-say-jon-stewart-has-remained-funny-the-entire-time-jon-always/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Liberty, like health, appears most precious when lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/liberty-like-health-appears-most-precious-when-lost/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [In theatres, you're kind of disconnected. Also, it's way too big for the likes of me. Unless you're Robin Williams or someone that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/in-theatres-you-re-kind-of-disconnected-also-it-s-way-too-big-for-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [After months of speculation, the sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres admitted that yes, she's gay. Inspired by her courage, today, diet-guru Richard Simmons admitted that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/after-months-of-speculation-the-sitcom-star-ellen-degeneres-admitted/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [So much in L.A. is waiting. It's so irritating. That's what's good about stand-up. You can go away, and you don't have to sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/so-much-in-l-a-is-waiting-it-s-so-irritating-that-s-what-s-good-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [You ever hear guys with small cocks talk about sex? Can't talk about it enough. They even got poems. They'll say, 'It's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/you-ever-hear-guys-with-small-cocks-talk-about-sex-can-t-talk-about/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [My dad died, and my grandfather died, and my great-grandfather died. And the guy before him, I don't know. Probably died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/my-dad-died-and-my-grandfather-died-and-my-great-grandfather-died-and/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Louis \[C.K.\] is great. But I don't know how many you could do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/louis-c-k-is-great-but-i-don-t-know-how-many-you-could-do/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [I don't have any ego about it, but I find there's not a great work ethic in show business. A lot of people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/i-don-t-have-any-ego-about-it-but-i-find-there-s-not-a-great-work/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Many people are skeptical about marriage of Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Pressley. They say, Lisa Marie is more of a sit at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/many-people-are-skeptical-about-marriage-of-michael-jackson-and-lisa/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [Back in the old days, a man could just get sick and die. Now they have to wage a battle. So my Uncle Bert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/back-in-the-old-days-a-man-could-just-get-sick-and-die-now-they-have/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [The man that does not fear punishment, little regards crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-man-that-does-not-fear-punishment-little-regards-crime/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) [Explore all 205 Norm MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) ## More Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-neiman/there-s-no-greatest-moment-in-the-arts-it-s-a-life-it-s-a-continuity/) [LeRoy Neiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-neiman/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) [Browse all 10,268 Belief quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Norm MacDonald" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-than-in-their-belief/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Belief" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-than-in-their-belief/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c72/norm-macdonald-1825_belief_most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-th_1166561.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most men appear wiser in their doubts than in their belief.” — Norm MacDonald", "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": "Norm MacDonald", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most men appear wiser in their...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-than-in-their-belief/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/most-men-appear-wiser-in-their-doubts-than-in-their-belief/#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 } } ] } ```