Who said “It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull.”?

Verified

H. L. Mencken. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePrejudices, Second Series (1920) Ch. 1

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Prejudices, Second Series (1920) Ch. 1.

APA

Mencken, H. L. (n.d.). It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3927-it-is-the-dull-man-who-is-always/

MLA

Mencken, H. L. “It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3927-it-is-the-dull-man-who-is-always/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Mencken, H. L. “It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/3927-it-is-the-dull-man-who-is-always/.