Always Do Sober What You Said Youd Do Drunk. That Will Teach You To Keep Your Mouth Shut

The Real Story Behind Hemingway’s Drinking Wisdom

“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. Source That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.”

This provocative piece of advice has circulated for decades. Many attribute it to Ernest Hemingway, the legendary American novelist. However, the true origins of this quotation deserve closer examination. The saying suggests a harsh but effective strategy for curbing alcohol-fueled boasting. Simply put, if you make wild promises while intoxicated, you should attempt to fulfill them when sober. The resulting embarrassment would supposedly teach you discretion.

But did Hemingway actually write these words? Source The answer requires digging through historical records and firsthand accounts.

The First Published Appearance

Malcolm S. Forbes first published this quotation in September 1961. His magazine, Forbes, featured the saying in connection with Hemingway. According to Forbes’s account, the story began in 1952. That year, Charles Scribner IV took over his family’s prestigious publishing house. His father had recently passed away, leaving him to lead the company.

Hemingway maintained a friendship with the Scribner family. He reportedly sent young Charles an extensive personal letter. This correspondence offered congratulations and guidance. Furthermore, it concluded with several “rules for life.” The drinking advice appeared among these rules.

Forbes presented the exact wording as follows: “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk: That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” However, he never explained how he learned about this private letter. Perhaps Scribner shared the story with him directly. Nevertheless, this remains speculation.

How the Quote Spread

The quotation gained traction quickly after Forbes published it. Other publications picked up the saying within months. The Atlantic Coast Line News reprinted it between September and October 1961. They properly credited Forbes magazine as their source. Additionally, The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Massachusetts ran the quote in January 1962.

These early republications maintained accuracy in attribution. They acknowledged Forbes as the original publisher. Moreover, they connected the saying directly to Hemingway. This careful citation helped establish the quote’s credibility.

Early Variations Emerge

By 1963, the wording began to shift slightly. The Salinas Californian in California published a modified version. The Pensacola News in Florida did the same. These newspapers added one word: “big.” Their version read: “Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk—that’ll teach you to keep your big mouth shut.”

Interestingly, these publications didn’t cite Forbes directly. Instead, they attributed the saying to Parts Pup, an automotive trade publication. This shift demonstrates how quotations evolve as they spread. Small changes accumulate over time. Nevertheless, the core message remained intact.

Bennett Cerf’s Alternative Version

Bennett Cerf offered a different account in 1964. Cerf was a prominent publisher and storyteller. He wrote a syndicated newspaper column that reached millions. In one column, he presented his own version of the Hemingway advice.

According to Cerf, Hemingway gave this wisdom to a young writer. The writer had visited Hemingway’s Cuban home seeking guidance. Cerf’s version read: “Try doing something sober that you announced loudly you’d do when you were drunk. That will teach you to keep your big mouth shut!”

This variant differs significantly from Forbes’s version. The sentence structure changes completely. Additionally, Cerf frames it as spoken advice rather than written correspondence. However, he clearly identified Hemingway as the source. He even mentioned specific novels to establish the author’s identity.

Why Multiple Versions Exist

Different versions of quotations often emerge for several reasons. People recall statements imperfectly from memory. They paraphrase rather than quote directly. Furthermore, storytellers adapt language to suit their audiences. Cerf likely heard the story secondhand and retold it in his own words.

This phenomenon doesn’t necessarily indicate fabrication. Instead, it reflects how oral tradition works. Stories change as they pass from person to person. Nevertheless, the essential meaning usually survives these transformations.

The New York Times Weighs In

The New York Times published an article about Charles Scribner IV in 1980. The piece discussed both Scribner and his son. It referenced Hemingway’s “Rules of Life” that he supposedly sent to Scribner in 1952. However, this version presented only a partial quote.

The Times printed: “Always do sober what you said you’d do when you were drunk.” Notably, they omitted the second sentence about keeping your mouth shut. Additionally, the article mentioned two other rules. These included “Don’t do knife tricks” and “Don’t wrestle with bears.”

These additional rules add context to Hemingway’s letter. They suggest a playful, paternal tone. Moreover, they hint at Hemingway’s dark sense of humor. The author was known for his adventurous lifestyle and close brushes with danger.

Scribner’s Direct Testimony

Charles Scribner IV provided the most authoritative account in 1990. He published a memoir titled “In the Company of Writers: A Life in Publishing.” This book offered firsthand testimony about the letter. After all, Scribner was the original recipient.

In his memoir, Scribner directly attributed the advice to Hemingway. His version read: “Always do sober what you said you’d do when you were drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut!” He described Hemingway’s humor as having a “perfected gallows” quality. The author appreciated rough jokes with a sting.

Three years later, Scribner published another book in 1993. “In the Web of Ideas: The Education of a Publisher” again credited Hemingway with this wisdom. He characterized Hemingway as occasionally writing in a paternal manner. Furthermore, he repeated the warnings about bears and knife tricks.

Why Scribner’s Account Matters

Scribner’s testimony carries significant weight for several reasons. First, he claimed to receive the letter directly. He had no reason to fabricate the story. Additionally, he maintained his account consistently across multiple publications. His descriptions remained stable over time.

Moreover, Scribner provided contextual details that ring true. His characterization of Hemingway’s humor aligns with the author’s known personality. The additional rules about bears and knives fit Hemingway’s adventurous image. Therefore, Scribner’s account appears credible.

The Problem of Misattribution

Hemingway has accumulated many false quotations over the years. Another famous saying illustrates this problem: “Write drunk, revise sober.” Many people attribute this advice to Hemingway. However, no evidence supports this attribution. The saying appears nowhere in his letters, interviews, or published works.

This pattern of misattribution affects many famous authors. People assume certain types of wisdom came from particular writers. Hemingway’s reputation for heavy drinking makes him a natural target. Consequently, drinking-related advice often gets credited to him incorrectly.

How to Verify Quotations

Several strategies help verify questionable quotations. First, check for documented sources with specific dates and publications. Look for firsthand accounts from people who knew the author. Additionally, examine whether the language matches the author’s style and era.

In this case, multiple documented sources exist. Forbes published the quote in 1961. Scribner confirmed it in his memoirs decades later. Furthermore, the language fits Hemingway’s known writing style. These factors support the quotation’s authenticity.

The Wisdom Behind the Words

Regardless of its origins, the advice contains psychological insight. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and inflates confidence. People make bold claims they wouldn’t consider while sober. These promises often exceed their actual capabilities or desires.

The suggested remedy creates accountability through action. If you must attempt your drunken boasts, you’ll face reality quickly. The embarrassment and difficulty would discourage future exaggeration. Therefore, you’d learn to speak more carefully while drinking.

However, this strategy carries obvious risks. Some drunken promises involve dangerous or illegal activities. Others might harm relationships or careers. Consequently, attempting to fulfill them could cause serious problems. The advice works better as dark humor than practical guidance.

The Broader Cultural Context

This quotation reflects mid-20th century American drinking culture. Heavy drinking was more socially acceptable then. Furthermore, men often bonded through shared drinking experiences. Hemingway himself was famous for his alcohol consumption.

The saying also reveals attitudes about masculinity and self-control. It suggests that real men should back up their words with actions. Additionally, it implies that verbal restraint demonstrates strength. These values permeated Hemingway’s work and public persona.

Conclusion: A Likely Authentic Quote

The evidence strongly suggests Hemingway wrote something very close to this quotation. Malcolm Forbes first published it in 1961, shortly after Hemingway’s death. Charles Scribner IV, the letter’s supposed recipient, confirmed it decades later. His consistent testimony across multiple books adds credibility.

The exact wording remains somewhat uncertain. Different sources present minor variations. Some versions include “big mouth” instead of just “mouth.” Others phrase the first sentence slightly differently. Nevertheless, the core message stays consistent across all versions.

This quotation exemplifies Hemingway’s characteristic style. It combines dark humor with practical wisdom. Moreover, it reflects his experiences with alcohol and his belief in facing consequences. Whether viewed as genuine life advice or sardonic commentary, the saying captures something essential about both drinking culture and human nature. The words continue resonating because they expose a universal truth about the gap between intoxicated bravado and sober reality.

Quote Me, maybe?

the quote G.O.A.T.