Many situations can render people speechless. A confrontation with an important person, a frightening situation, or a set of unexpected circumstances can leave even individuals who are otherwise very talkative, dumbfounded.

Three of the hardest words for people to get out of their mouths are “I don’t know.” Many people feel that they must know everything about everything and give some answer—any answer, even an incorrect one—in order to avoid being classified as stupid by their friends and associates.

The urge to respond in order to cover ignorance can send people miles out of their way with incorrect travel directions. It can, unfortunately, even result in serious health complications when the perpetrator is a doctor who doesn’t know something but gives an answer anyway to an unsuspecting patient.

Our Sages teach that you should train your tongue to say, “I don’t know.” It prevents you from placing “a stumbling block before the blind.” It also gives you the opportunity to learn and grow if you are one of those courageous souls who can admit to a lack of understanding.