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About this quote

What does it mean?
Making promises you cannot keep leads to a loss of reputation.
In plain terms
Do not promise things you cannot do.
What can you take from it?
Only promise what you can deliver.

Where it applies

  • negotiations
  • workplace
  • friendships

Putting it to work

  • check capacity before agreeing
  • keep commitments small

Questions to consider

  • Have you ever broken a promise?
  • How do you recover trust?

Another view

Sometimes you must try to keep a promise even if it is hard.

More from Publilius Syrus

  1. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. No one should be judge in his own case.

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. The fear of death is more to be dreaded than death itself.

    Permalink to quote #28

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