What a woman says to her avid lover should be written in wind and running water.
—Catullus (84–54 BCE) Roman Latin Poet
A promise is a cloud; fulfillment is the rain.
—Arabic Proverb
One promises much, to avoid giving little.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.
—Unknown
There are no greater promisers than those who have nothing to give.
—Common Proverb
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He is poor indeed that can promise nothing.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Promise is most given when the least is said.
—George Chapman (c.1560–1634) English Poet, Playwright
Rarely promise, but, if lawful, constantly perform.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
A vow is a snare for sin.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
And be these juggling friends no more believ’d,
That palter with us in a double sense;
That keep the word of promise to our ear
And break it to our hope.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Every organization of men, be it social or political, ultimately relies on man’s capacity for making promises and keeping them.
—Hannah Arendt (1906–75) German-American Philosopher, Political Theorist
‘Tis not the many oaths that make the truth; But the plain single vow, that is vow’d true.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Thou ought to be nice, even to superstition, in keeping thy promises, and therefore equally cautious in making them.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Beauty always promises, but never gives anything.
—Simone Weil (1909–1943) French Philosopher, Political Activist
Promises are like the full moon, if they are not kept at once they diminish day by day.
—German Proverb
A vow is fixed and unalterable determination to do a thing, when such a determination is related to something noble which can only uplift the man who makes the resolve.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Promises make debt, and debt makes promises.
—Dutch Proverb
Between today and tomorrow are graves, and between promising and fulfilling are chasms.
—Friedrich Ruckert (1788–1866) German Poet, Translator
I’ve searched all the parks in all the cities and found no statues of committees.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
If we got one-tenth of what was promised to us in these acceptance speeches there wouldn’t be any inducement to go to heaven.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
Oaths are but words, and words but wind.
—Samuel Butler
Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
He loses his thanks who promises and delays.
—Common Proverb
Promises may fit the friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Men’s vows are women’s traitors!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
Eggs and oaths are easily broken.
—Danish Proverb
A promise made is a debt unpaid.
—Robert W. Service (1874–1958) Scottish Poet, Author
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