Be strong enough to say, 'I don't know.' When you don't know, say so. Don't guess. Don't fake it.
LL
Larry Lucchino
Boston University Commencement 2008, 2008
9:28
Video starts at 9:28 — the moment this quote was spoken
The Story Behind This Quote
Lucchino shared a humiliating memory from Yale Law School to illustrate why intellectual honesty matters more than appearing smart. One day, he tried to wing an answer in class. His distinguished old professor responded, 'That is a wonderful answer, Mr. Lucchino. Thank you. It is wonderful because it could not be more wrong, so it is pedagogically very useful to us.' The lesson stuck: seven simple words — 'I don't know, but I'll find out' — build more trust and credibility than any bluffed answer ever could.