"Always do sober what you said you'd do when you were drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut!"
About this Quote
The quote by Charles Scribner, Jr., "Always do sober what you stated you 'd do when you were drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut!" carries an amusing yet poignant message about accountability and self-awareness. At its core, this quote suggests that we frequently make bold guarantees or statements under the impact of alcohol, which decreases our inhibitions and can make us feel more positive or loose with our words. However, the challenge-- and possibly the lesson-- lies in following through with those declarations when we're sober.
The first part of the quote, "Always do sober what you said you 'd do when you were intoxicated", suggests a stringent sense of duty. It motivates people to hold themselves liable for the guarantees or plans made in a state of intoxication, dealing with those statements as seriously as if they were made with a clear mind. This can serve as an amusing but effective deterrent for making exaggerated or unrealistic claims while under the influence.
The 2nd half, "That will teach you to keep your mouth shut!" adds a layer of humor while driving home the point about the repercussions of speaking too easily without thinking about the implications. If one understands that they should follow through with all promises made while intoxicated, they might be more mindful in what they say, even in casual or uninhibited settings.
Eventually, this quote speaks to the more comprehensive theme of personal integrity and the importance of bearing in mind one's words, no matter the circumstances. It recommends that a great practice is to align one's actions with their words and to think carefully before committing to something, even in an unwinded state. It also warns of the social and individual risks of speaking too easily without bearing in mind the prospective responsibility to follow through.