When you doubt, abstain.

Restraint as the Harder Choice

Most of us are trained to make a decision, any decision, rather than sit in uncertainty. We're wired to choose, to act, to move forward. But Bierce's advice cuts against that instinct in a way that feels almost radical: when you're genuinely unsure, the bravest thing isn't to pick a side and commit. It's to step back.

The tricky part is distinguishing real doubt from just normal pre-decision jitters. If you're uncertain because you haven't thought it through, that's different from the kind of doubt that nags at you even after reflection. When you keep circling back to the same concern, when something feels off but you can't quite name why—that's when abstaining becomes wisdom instead of cowardice. It buys you time to gather information, to sleep on it, to let your gut settle.

What makes this especially relevant now is how much our lives reward snap judgments and commitments. We're pushed to take a stand, pick a team, make the leap. But some of the best decisions people make come from restraint—from saying "I'm not ready" rather than forcing a choice they'll regret. Abstaining isn't giving up. It's honoring the fact that not every moment demands your immediate participation.