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About this quote

What does it mean?
A cynical observation that promises made by unstable individuals or women should not be trusted.
In plain terms
Do not trust promises from people who lack stability.
What can you take from it?
Unstable people cannot keep their word.

Where it applies

  • evaluating a new acquaintance
  • dealing with erratic people
  • assessing promises

Putting it to work

  • being cautious with commitments
  • checking credibility

Questions to consider

  • How do you determine if a promise is safe?
  • Why do some people break their word?

Another view

The quote relies on outdated and sexist stereotypes about women.

More from Joseph Heller

  1. Whether God is dead or not hardly matters, for we would use him no differently anyway.

    Permalink to quote #33
  2. I hate God and I hate life. And the closer I come to death, the more I hate life.

    Permalink to quote #35
  3. Women don't suffer from penis envy. Men do.

    Permalink to quote #32

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