Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt. — Eric Sevareid

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

Author: Eric Sevareid

Insight: We tend to assume that confidence equals competence, so we gravitate toward people who sound certain about things. But here's what Sevareid is really pointing at: the person who's never in doubt probably isn't thinking hard enough. They're either repeating what they already know, protecting their ego, or operating on autopilot. They've stopped testing their assumptions against reality. The person who admits mistakes, on the other hand, is actually engaged. They're willing to revise their thinking when evidence shows up. Yes, they'll be wrong sometimes—but they'll catch it, adjust, and move forward. They're updating their map of the world instead of stubbornly defending an old one. This matters in relationships, work decisions, and anywhere you need someone who can adapt. The uncomfortable truth is that uncertainty looks a lot like weakness until you realize it's actually a sign of intellectual honesty. It's easier to trust someone who says "I was wrong about that" than someone who's spent years doubling down on outdated beliefs just to avoid admitting they ever missed something. Growth requires the willingness to be frequently in error. That willingness is exactly what makes someone trustworthy.