--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Still, it was better to swear an oath and…" description: "\"“Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow through than not even to bother with the oath. Wasn't it?”\" — Joe Abercrombie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/joe-abercrombie-791_oath_still-it-was-better-to-swear-an-oath-and_614903.png" --- # Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow… ![“Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow through than not even to bother with the oath. Wasn't it?” quote by Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/joe-abercrombie-791_oath_still-it-was-better-to-swear-an-oath-and_614903.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/joe-abercrombie-791_oath_still-it-was-better-to-swear-an-oath-and_614903.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d3/joe-abercrombie-791_oath_still-it-was-better-to-swear-an-oath-and_614903.png) > ““Still, it was better to swear an oath and never follow through than not even to bother with the oath. Wasn't it?”” [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Swearing an oath without fulfillment may feel better than in, reflecting human avoidance of commitment. **In simple terms:** Empty vows feel better than none. Key Takeaway Avoid making empty promises. Themes commitment honor psychology Mood critical reflective Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - leadership - personal integrity Key Concepts moral philosophy human behavior Questions to Reflect On - Why do we prefer empty oaths? - How can we foster genuine commitment? A Different Perspective May encourage cynicism about promises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oath/) ## Related quotes > [As Members of Congress, we swear an oath to uphold the United States Constitution. 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Bringing up the new while the old were buried in the mud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/names-turned-over-by-time-like-the-plough-turning-the-soil-bringing/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Knives,’ muttered Calder, ‘and threats, and bribes, and war?’ Bayaz’ eyes shone with the lamplight. ‘Yes?’ ‘What kind of a fucking wizard are you?’…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/knives-muttered-calder-and-threats-and-bribes-and-war-bayaz-eyes/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) > [“Straining and straining, getting nowhere, but unable to stop pushing in case the rock should fall and crush him. 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'Many sweet stories have them', said Jaud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-abercrombie/a-bitter-ending-said-yarvi-many-sweet-stories-have-them-said-jaud/) [Joe Abercrombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) [Explore all 364 Joe Abercrombie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-abercrombie/) ## More Oath quotes > [A liar freely gives his oath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-malloch/a-liar-freely-gives-his-oath/) [Douglas Malloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-malloch/) > [You are also asked to take an oath, and that's the oath of service. The oath of service is not to secrecy, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-snowden/you-are-also-asked-to-take-an-oath-and-that-s-the-oath-of-service-the/) [Edward Snowden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-snowden/) > [Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. 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Carnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/v-s-carnes/) > [If I had to describe my remarks this evening frankly as if I were in police court and on oath, so to speak I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robertson-davies/if-i-had-to-describe-my-remarks-this-evening-frankly-as-if-i-were-in/) [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) > [Have you ever watched someone become American? Last week, at a national citizenship conference I organize, thirty immigrants from 17 countries swore an oath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/have-you-ever-watched-someone-become-american-last-week-at-a-national/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [“Jer molle pe poner. Enel mordió je nej afval trohem verretn." I have been made to protect you. 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