--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An oral contract isn't worth the paper…" description: "\"“An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.”\" — Sam Goldwyn Jr" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/sam-goldwyn-jr-275668_contract_an-oral-contract-isn-t-worth-the-paper-i_717533.jpg" --- # An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on. ![“An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.” quote by Sam Goldwyn Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/sam-goldwyn-jr-275668_contract_an-oral-contract-isn-t-worth-the-paper-i_717533.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/sam-goldwyn-jr-275668_contract_an-oral-contract-isn-t-worth-the-paper-i_717533.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/612/sam-goldwyn-jr-275668_contract_an-oral-contract-isn-t-worth-the-paper-i_717533.jpg) > ““An oral contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.”” Sam Goldwyn Jr ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An oral agreement is as reliable as the paper it is written on, implying it lacks enforceability. **In simple terms:** Oral promises are unreliable. Key Takeaway Prefer written contracts. Themes trust legal contracts reliability Mood cautious pragmatic Type advice legal When to use this quote - business deals - personal agreements - legal disputes - contract negotiations Key Concepts contract law enforceability Questions to Reflect On - Do you rely on verbal promises? - How can you protect yourself? A Different Perspective Oral agreements can be upheld in court under certain conditions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“A verbal contract is worth about as much as the paper it's written on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/a-verbal-contract-is-worth-about-as-much-as-the-paper-it-s-written-on/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/a-verbal-contract-isn-t-worth-the-paper-it-s-written-on/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [Of course a politician's promise isn't worth the paper it's written on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-pearce/of-course-a-politician-s-promise-isn-t-worth-the-paper-it-s-written-on/) [Russell Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-pearce/) > [“oral contract, which if it lacked legal value was”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/oral-contract-which-if-it-lacked-legal-value-was/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [One Ad is worth more to a paper than forty Editorials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/one-ad-is-worth-more-to-a-paper-than-forty-editorials/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [No vision is worth the paper it's printed on unless it is communicated constantly and reinforced with rewards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-welch/no-vision-is-worth-the-paper-it-s-printed-on-unless-it-is/) [Jack Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-welch/) > [Why one Ad is worth more to a paper than 40 Editorials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/why-one-ad-is-worth-more-to-a-paper-than-40-editorials/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [“This isn’t a religious book though I mention God, not a medical advisory though I speak of pain. 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