Bad promises are better broken than kept.
“Bad promises are better broken than kept.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Keeping promises that are unrealistic can cause greater harm than breaking them; honesty may require ending false assurances.
In simple terms: Breaking false promises can be kinder than keeping them.
Key Takeaway
Choose honesty over false comfort.
Themes
integrity
honesty
expectations
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political promises
- business contracts
Key Concepts
ethical decision-making
trust
communication
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it better to break a promise?
- How can you mitigate hurt when ending a promise?
A Different Perspective
Breaking promises may damage credibility if not handled transparently.