Able Quote by Henry Fielding
“The man who is wantonly profuse of his promises ought to sink his credit as much as a tradesman would by uttering a great number of promissory notes payable at a distant day. The truest conclusion in both cases is, that neither intend or will be able to pay. And as the latter most probably intends to cheat you of your money, so the former at least designs to cheat you of your thanks.”
About This Quote
Excessive promises, whether financial or verbal, are unreliable; both tend to lead to disappointment or deceit.
In simple terms: Too many promises are untrustworthy.
Key Takeaway
Be cautious of over‑promising.
Themes
trust
promises
deception
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business deals
- personal relationships
- loan agreements
Key Concepts
financial reliability
social contracts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you assess the credibility of a promise?
- When is a generous promise sincere?
A Different Perspective
Not all promises are intentionally deceitful.
