Any truth is better than indefinite doubt.
"Any truth is better than indefinite doubt." — so declared Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, a writer who built his stories upon the relentless pursuit of certainty. These words pierce like a sword through the fog of hesitation. For Doyle, who gave the world a detective who could unravel mysteries with logic and observation, the greatest torment was not a painful truth, but the endless gnawing of uncertainty. To live in doubt, indefinite and unresolved, is to wander in a wilderness without compass; but to know the truth, however bitter, is to stand at last upon solid ground.
The origin of this saying lies in Doyle’s own age, the nineteenth century, when science, philosophy, and faith often clashed. Men were learning to pierce mysteries of medicine, astronomy, and evolution, yet in matters of human experience, many still lingered in the shadows of speculation. Doyle, both a storyteller and a seeker, understood that the human spirit cannot thrive in perpetual uncertainty. Truth, even if harsh, gives direction; doubt, when indefinite, drains strength and clouds the path.
Consider, O listener, the example of the bereaved family who awaits word of a missing soldier. For months they live in anguish, not knowing whether he is alive or dead. Every knock at the door fills them with terror, every letter unopened trembles with hope and fear. This is indefinite doubt — a torment worse than grief itself. When at last news arrives, even if it confirms death, the family can begin to mourn, to heal, to honor. The certainty of truth, though painful, is kinder than the endless cruelty of not knowing.
History too offers a great lesson. In the days of Galileo Galilei, the world was trapped between old cosmologies and new discoveries. Many preferred the safety of doubt — to neither affirm nor deny, to cling to ignorance rather than face the dangerous truth that Earth was not the center of the universe. But Galileo proclaimed: better the truth of the moving planets than the comfort of illusion. Though condemned, his courage gave light to all future generations. Here Doyle’s words shine: truth may wound, but doubt enslaves.
This teaching is also deeply personal. How often do we delay decisions because of uncertainty? How often do we remain in broken relationships, unfulfilling work, or false friendships because we fear the truth that may await us if we ask too directly? Yet the cost of indefinite doubt is always greater. To live without clarity is to live without freedom. When you face the truth — whether of love, of life, or of death — you can act, choose, and move forward. In doubt, you are chained. In truth, even painful truth, you are free.
Thus, the lesson is this: do not fear truth, but fear only doubt that has no end. Welcome truth as a friend, for even when it bears sorrow, it gives you strength to stand. Reject the temptation to linger forever in uncertainty, for in doing so you sacrifice peace of mind and the power to live. Truth is a foundation; doubt is a shifting sand. Choose the firm ground, though it may be hard, for only then can you build the house of your life.
Practical action lies before you: when you are uncertain, seek the truth with courage. Ask the hard questions, confront the uncomfortable realities, open the letter you fear, speak the words you avoid. Do not remain in a state of indefinite doubt. Better to know and endure, than to wander and decay. For as Doyle reminds us, any truth is better than indefinite doubt — and the soul that clings to this wisdom will find freedom, strength, and the power to move forward in all things.
Therefore, O seeker, take Doyle’s words into your heart: do not hide from truth, however painful, but embrace it as the only path to freedom. Doubt may whisper endlessly, but truth speaks once and stands forever. Choose the voice that endures. For in truth there is strength, and in doubt only torment.
TB7/2 Thieen bao
Arthur Conan Doyle’s quote makes me reflect on how we often avoid confronting uncomfortable truths because we fear the consequences. But maybe the real cost is the indefinite doubt that keeps us in limbo. How many times have we held onto hope or fear, not knowing what to believe? In those moments, wouldn’t it be better to face the truth, no matter what, and stop living in that grey area of uncertainty?
LBLuong Bong
This quote speaks to me because I’ve been in situations where the unknown felt like a heavy weight. I’ve wondered if the truth would be worse than the uncertainty I was facing. But ultimately, knowing the truth seems to bring a sense of peace, even if it’s hard. Why is it that uncertainty feels like a constant nagging, whereas the truth, even when painful, feels like a resolution?
KKngan
I’ve always thought that doubt can create a sense of unease that’s almost worse than confronting difficult truths. What is it about uncertainty that makes us feel so unsettled? If we’re unsure of something, we can spend endless energy thinking about it. But knowing the truth—no matter how unpleasant—gives us the chance to accept it and move forward. Maybe it’s the clarity we’re after, not necessarily the truth itself.
DHle duy hoan
This quote really resonates with me because doubt can feel paralyzing. When you’re unsure about something, it can consume your thoughts and prevent you from making progress. Wouldn’t knowing the truth, no matter how difficult, bring a sense of relief and closure? It’s like the idea of ripping off a bandage quickly—better to face the truth than to keep wondering and second-guessing yourself.
HVHuong Vu
I can understand why Doyle would say this—sometimes, the uncertainty of doubt can be more painful than knowing an uncomfortable truth. It’s like when you’re in a relationship or dealing with a situation where things feel unclear. Wouldn’t it be better to know the truth, even if it’s hard to hear? Isn’t it easier to make decisions and move forward when you have clarity rather than lingering in confusion?