---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Something always happens. You still have…"
description: "\"Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff anyway. If you have to work to make the promises true... it's like a spell. You have to say t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png"
---

#  Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff…

![“Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff anyway. If you have to work to make the promises true... it's like a spell. You have to say the words every time you want the results.” quote by Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png)

> “Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff anyway. If you have to work to make the promises true... it's like a spell. You have to say the words every time you want the results.”

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Consistent affirmation of intentions acts like a ritual that reinforces commitment, making promises more likely to be fulfilled.

**In simple terms:** Repeating promises strengthens them.

Key Takeaway

Speak your commitments aloud regularly.

Themes

motivation habit formation self‑efficacy

Mood

inspirational practical

Type

self‑help motivational

When to use this quote

- goal setting
- daily affirmations
- team meetings
- project planning

Key Concepts

psychology of intention behavioral reinforcement

Questions to Reflect On

- What promises have you struggled to keep?
- How does verbalizing goals affect your actions?

A Different Perspective

It may not guarantee outcomes if external constraints exist.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Promises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promises/)

## Related quotes

> [PROMISES what a stupid word. Many believed and still believes that promises are true, but what's true is that PROMISES are made just to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florabel/promises-what-a-stupid-word-many-believed-and-still-believes-that/)

[Florabel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florabel/)

> [Promises are true but the people behind those promises are not](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne/promises-are-true-but-the-people-behind-those-promises-are-not/)

Marianne

> [“No matter what happens…promise me you won’t hate me. (Carlos)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/no-matter-what-happens-promise-me-you-won-t-hate-me-carlos/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [Three rules in a relationship: Don't lie, Don't cheat, Don't make promises you CAN'T keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-strack/three-rules-in-a-relationship-don-t-lie-don-t-cheat-don-t-make/)

[KiKi Strack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-strack/)

> [I am not going to make promises I can't keep. I am not going to talk about big ideas like single-payer and then not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-am-not-going-to-make-promises-i-can-t-keep-i-am-not-going-to-talk/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [Our government shouldn't make promises we cannot keep, but we must keep the promises we've already made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-government-shouldn-t-make-promises-we-cannot-keep-but-we-must/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [People make promises, and bear their souls to someone despite knowing how common it is for promises to be broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-copeland/people-make-promises-and-bear-their-souls-to-someone-despite-knowing/)

[Rachel Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-copeland/)

> [If you're gonna promise her something, keep your promise. Otherwise don't make promises you cant keep because she'll hold you to your WORD.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-gonna-promise-her-something-keep-your-promise-otherwise-don/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I wonder why people make promises, they won't be able to keep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-wonder-why-people-make-promises-they-won-t-be-able-to-keep/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Don't make promises when you're happy. Don't make decisions when you're angry...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-d-r-l-testament/don-t-make-promises-when-you-re-happy-don-t-make-decisions-when-you/)

Junior Dè Rèál Testament

> [“He made it a point both not to make promises and not rely on God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krista-phillips/he-made-it-a-point-both-not-to-make-promises-and-not-rely-on-god/)

Krista Phillips

> [Make your promises small enough to deliver, then deliver more then you promise!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gbatiste/make-your-promises-small-enough-to-deliver-then-deliver-more-then-you/)

[GBatiste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gbatiste/)

> [“For years, I have had fun but never let a man in. Greg, you have the power to not only get in but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-sloan/for-years-i-have-had-fun-but-never-let-a-man-in-greg-you-have-the/)

[Harper Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-sloan/)

> [I can't make any promises because they are made to be broken. I can't be happy because I have no joy. I can't keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie/i-can-t-make-any-promises-because-they-are-made-to-be-broken-i-can-t/)

[Leslie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie/)

> [Dont make promises you cant keep. Dont give others false hope. Dont break hearts. DONT HURT MY FRIEND. Is that so hard for you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-make-promises-you-cant-keep-dont-give-others-false-hope-dont/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

## More by Diane Duane

> [And we will cause it to be well-made, this Sacrifice. You, young and never loving; I, old and never loved. Such a Song the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/and-we-will-cause-it-to-be-well-made-this-sacrifice-you-young-and/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [But even in your world it’s a byword. Men will fight bravely and be heroes, but for last-ditch defense against any odds… get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/but-even-in-your-world-it-s-a-byword-men-will-fight-bravely-and-be/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“The spear in the Other's heart is the spear in your own: you are he. There is no other wisdom, and no other hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/the-spear-in-the-other-s-heart-is-the-spear-in-your-own-you-are-he/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“There's no way that can be the river," Rhiow said. "Rhi, the ceiling of Grand Central--" Saash said. "It's backward," Rhiow snapped, "thank you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/there-s-no-way-that-can-be-the-river-rhiow-said-rhi-the-ceiling-of/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“Go maire tu' I bhfad agus rath! 'Live long and prosper'.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/go-maire-tu-i-bhfad-agus-rath-live-long-and-prosper/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [Virtue," he said. "The real thing. It's not some kind of cuddly teddy bear you can keep on the shelf until you need a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/virtue-he-said-the-real-thing-it-s-not-some-kind-of-cuddly-teddy-bear/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [You should know how terrible a power belief is, especially in the wrong hands -- and how do you tell which hands are wrong?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/you-should-know-how-terrible-a-power-belief-is-especially-in-the/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“Beware! said the peridxis's voice in her head. Don't let It's shadowy little truth overwhelm the greater one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/beware-said-the-peridxis-s-voice-in-her-head-don-t-let-it-s-shadowy/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [A legend can just as well be founded in the future as in the past." "It's called a 'prophecy,'" Urruah said. "You may have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/a-legend-can-just-as-well-be-founded-in-the-future-as-in-the-past-it/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [There is a rule for fantasy writers: The more truth you mix in with a lie, the stronger it gets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/there-is-a-rule-for-fantasy-writers-the-more-truth-you-mix-in-with-a/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“Sarek looked up with something like hope in his eyes. “I must say,” he said, “I am impressed. You are quite a detective, Doctor.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/sarek-looked-up-with-something-like-hope-in-his-eyes-i-must-say-he/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“It was the Arch-votary, with its patterned shell. Slowly, it approached; those massive claws raised…The Arch-votary stopped, looming up before them. “Evil ones,” it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/it-was-the-arch-votary-with-its-patterned-shell-slowly-it-approached/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [The issues of the choice between right and wrong has to be an ongoing concern for everybody, at every age. There is no magical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/the-issues-of-the-choice-between-right-and-wrong-has-to-be-an-ongoing/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [“You look concerned,” Roshaun said from behind her. Dairine scowled over her shoulder at him. “The whole universe is in danger,” she said, “and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/you-look-concerned-roshaun-said-from-behind-her-dairine-scowled-over/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

> [But the trouble with sainthood these days is the robe-and-halo imagery that gets stuck onto it." Carl got that brooding look again. "People forget…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/but-the-trouble-with-sainthood-these-days-is-the-robe-and-halo/)

[Diane Duane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

[Explore all 72 Diane Duane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/)

## More Promise quotes

> [I could not limit my values and pursuits to what makes others comfortable. Being possessed by a promise I live without options. I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/i-could-not-limit-my-values-and-pursuits-to-what-makes-others/)

[Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/)

> [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/)

[Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/)

> [Today is a reality, tomorrow's a promise, and yesterday's history!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-blanks/today-is-a-reality-tomorrow-s-a-promise-and-yesterday-s-history/)

[Billy Blanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-blanks/)

> [I take the responsibility of playing another ethnicity very, very seriously, and I promise myself and those people that I will represent them with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cliff-curtis/i-take-the-responsibility-of-playing-another-ethnicity-very-very/)

[Cliff Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cliff-curtis/)

> [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [“Because we live in a fallen world, we suffer. But those of us who know Jesus are never alone in the suffering, that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-turner-lee/because-we-live-in-a-fallen-world-we-suffer-but-those-of-us-who-know/)

Melissa Turner Lee

> [Conservatism is not about leaving people behind. Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/)

[Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/)

> [A promise, a bond, a joy, a love for the ages, for the history books.…But what was love but pain?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-de-la-cruz/a-promise-a-bond-a-joy-a-love-for-the-ages-for-the-history-books-but/)

[Melissa de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-de-la-cruz/)

> [“I’d see this through to the end… This promise above all others, I will gladly keep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-shirvington/i-d-see-this-through-to-the-end-this-promise-above-all-others-i-will/)

[Jessica Shirvington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-shirvington/)

> [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you ponder the scriptures and begin to do what you covenanted with God to do, I can promise you that you will feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/if-you-ponder-the-scriptures-and-begin-to-do-what-you-covenanted-with/)

[Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/)

> [I promise myself that I will enjoy every minute of the day that is given me to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-promise-myself-that-i-will-enjoy-every-minute-of-the-day-that-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Many people expect, just as they did then, "those at the top" to make all their decisions for them: Please get us work, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wladyslaw-bartoszewski/many-people-expect-just-as-they-did-then-those-at-the-top-to-make-all/)

[Wladyslaw Bartoszewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wladyslaw-bartoszewski/)

> [PRomise DAy SPecial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/promise-day-special/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Never threaten, because a threat is a promise to pay that it isn't always convenient to meet, but if you don't make it good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-horace-lorimer/never-threaten-because-a-threat-is-a-promise-to-pay-that-it-isn-t/)

[George Horace Lorimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-horace-lorimer/)

[Browse all 5,486 Promise quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff anyway. If you have to work to make the promises true... it's like a spell. You have to say the words every time you want the results.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Diane Duane"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/something-always-happens-you-still-have-to-promise-stuff-anyway-if/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Promise"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/something-always-happens-you-still-have-to-promise-stuff-anyway-if/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b4b/diane-duane-9360_promise_something-always-happens-you-still-have_304424.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Something always happens. You still have to promise stuff anyway. If you have to work to make the promises…” — Diane Duane",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Diane Duane",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-duane/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Something always happens. You still have...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/something-always-happens-you-still-have-to-promise-stuff-anyway-if/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-duane/something-always-happens-you-still-have-to-promise-stuff-anyway-if/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
