"Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt"

Trustworthiness is often assumed to lie in accuracy, yet wisdom sometimes steers us elsewhere. When encountering someone who is frequently in error, we might first think of them as unreliable. However, their errors can signal self-reflection, openness, and willingness to revise their thoughts. Such a person, aware of their own capacity to be wrong, displays humility and the rare ability to question themselves. Their doubts spark inquiry, foster learning, and prevent the arrogance that leads to rigid thinking.

Contrast this with a person who is never in doubt. Complete certainty can be dangerous, especially when complex situations rarely afford perfect knowledge. A person lacking doubt demonstrates inflexibility or hubris, convinced of their correctness regardless of evidence. In their world, there’s no room for growth or correction. Progress is halted, as they are deaf to possibility, blind to error, and impervious to advice or new information.

A person who recognizes their fallibility is open to genuine dialogue. Even frequent errors can be beneficial when they stem from processes of questioning, testing, and adjusting beliefs. Such a person invites conversation and partnership. They build trust not because they always have the right answers, but because they remain honest about what they do not know, and are willing to update their views when confronted with new facts. Their errors are not failures of character, but evidence of authentic engagement with the world’s uncertainties.

The one who is never in doubt, on the other hand, suggests a kind of closed-mindedness bordering on dogmatism. This posture may project confidence but risks becoming perilous when the stakes are high, better to rely on someone who has wrestled with uncertainty and emerged more grounded. Past mistakes, acknowledged and examined, are the seeds of real wisdom. The path to trust, then, lies not in perfection, but in humility and the courage to question oneself.