# Hemingway’s drunk promise rule teaches self-discipline 2026-08-07T23:04:18+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet In 1952, Ernest Hemingway wrote a letter to Charles Scribner IV, publisher of his books, listing his rules for life. One of them has become famous: 'Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.' The Times of India reports that the American writer, known for living with intense action and heavy drinking, believed a person's character is defined by how they act when things get hard. He rejected using alcohol as an excuse to break promises, calling it cowardice. The rule demands that you fulfil every promise made while drunk, no matter how difficult. The pain of following through is meant to teach restraint. Hemingway viewed this as a universal lesson in self-control: words carry real consequences, and learning to keep quiet is often smarter than making foolish commitments. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: accountability, alcohol, Ernest Hemingway, promises, quote, self-discipline Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/hemingways-drunk-promise-rule-teaches-self-discipline/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/hemingways-drunk-promise-rule-teaches-self-discipline/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.