--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Start small, make a promise and keep it…" description: "\"Start small, make a promise and keep it. Then, make larger promises and keep them. Eventually, your honor will become greater than your moods or your c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/876/stephen-covey-339_circumstances_start-small-make-a-promise-and-keep-it-t_2153592.png" --- # Start small, make a promise and keep it. Then, make larger… ![“Start small, make a promise and keep it. Then, make larger promises and keep them. Eventually, your honor will become greater than your moods or your circumstances, which includes your medical condition and other people's stereotypic observations. Once you overcome this comparison based mentality…” quote by Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/876/stephen-covey-339_circumstances_start-small-make-a-promise-and-keep-it-t_2153592.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/876/stephen-covey-339_circumstances_start-small-make-a-promise-and-keep-it-t_2153592.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/876/stephen-covey-339_circumstances_start-small-make-a-promise-and-keep-it-t_2153592.png) > “Start small, make a promise and keep it. Then, make larger promises and keep them. Eventually, your honor will become greater than your moods or your circumstances, which includes your medical condition and other people's stereotypic observations. Once you overcome this comparison based mentality, your confidence will soar.” [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Building small, reliable commitments builds honor that transcends mood, circumstance, and external judgments **In simple terms:** Keeping promises builds lasting integrity Key Takeaway Start small, keep promises, expand trust Themes integrity habit formation self‑discipline Mood motivational empowering Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - personal goal setting - health management - relationship building - career development Key Concepts incremental growth self‑esteem resilience Questions to Reflect On - What small promise can you keep today? - How does honoring commitments reshape self‑image? A Different Perspective External pressures can still undermine confidence ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honor/) [Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical/) [Medical conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical-conditions/) [Mentality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mentality/) [Mood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mood/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Your honor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-honor/) ## Related quotes > [Religion is all based on the mentality of "I'm right", but now today it's moved from even the question of "I'm right and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/religion-is-all-based-on-the-mentality-of-i-m-right-but-now-today-it/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [I have a medical condition, all right. It's called caring too much, and it's incurable. Also, I have eczema.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/i-have-a-medical-condition-all-right-it-s-called-caring-too-much-and/) [Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/) > [My mum called me scatty because I could never sit still. But there was no sense I was suffering from a medical condition as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-bremner/my-mum-called-me-scatty-because-i-could-never-sit-still-but-there-was/) [Rory Bremner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-bremner/) > [Most doctors are uncomfortable with medical conditions that have a psychological basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-sarno/most-doctors-are-uncomfortable-with-medical-conditions-that-have-a/) [John E. Sarno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-sarno/) > [“It is common for the partner to die shortly after the death of their significant other. They generally have similar medical conditions, same lifestyle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/it-is-common-for-the-partner-to-die-shortly-after-the-death-of-their/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [I have had my genome fully sequenced and have learned a great deal about which medications I would respond to and which might or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-topol/i-have-had-my-genome-fully-sequenced-and-have-learned-a-great-deal/) [Eric Topol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-topol/) > [I don't feel one's personal medical condition is everybody's business. It just isn't something you advertise, and it's not open to discussion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aretha-franklin/i-don-t-feel-one-s-personal-medical-condition-is-everybody-s-business/) [Aretha Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aretha-franklin/) > [Is listening to Pink Floyd in the dark a medical condition?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/is-listening-to-pink-floyd-in-the-dark-a-medical-condition/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Often when people are diagnosed with a life-changing medical condition, they feel overwhelmed. They feel choked by darkness and hopelessness. Those are times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/often-when-people-are-diagnosed-with-a-life-changing-medical/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Many good Christians are confused about complex social issues of our day, such as doctor-assisted death or medical research which uses stem cells from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/many-good-christians-are-confused-about-complex-social-issues-of-our/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [As a physician I have sympathy for patients suffering from pain and other medical conditions. Although I understand many believe marijuana is the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-frist/as-a-physician-i-have-sympathy-for-patients-suffering-from-pain-and/) [Bill Frist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-frist/) > [We have medicalized a lot of things that I think are not really medical conditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darold-treffert/we-have-medicalized-a-lot-of-things-that-i-think-are-not-really/) [Darold Treffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darold-treffert/) > [Do I need to argue to Your Honor that cruelty only breeds cruelty? That hatred only causes hatred; that if there is any way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/do-i-need-to-argue-to-your-honor-that-cruelty-only-breeds-cruelty/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [In your ordered verdict of guilty, you have trampled under foot every vital principle of our government. My natural rights, my civil rights, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/in-your-ordered-verdict-of-guilty-you-have-trampled-under-foot-every/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [Keep your honor code between you and God, you don't break that, no matter who's not looking. God is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-myss/keep-your-honor-code-between-you-and-god-you-don-t-break-that-no/) [Caroline Myss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-myss/) ## More by Stephen Covey > [You can't have the fruits without the roots. It's the principle of sequencing: Private Victories proceed Public Victories. Self-mastery and self-discipline are the foundation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/you-can-t-have-the-fruits-without-the-roots-it-s-the-principle-of/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Empathic listening takes time, but it doesn't take anywhere near as much time as it takes to back up and correct misunderstandings when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/empathic-listening-takes-time-but-it-doesn-t-take-anywhere-near-as/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The fire inside people is like a match; the way to ignite that flame is initially through friction, then other matches are lit through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/the-fire-inside-people-is-like-a-match-the-way-to-ignite-that-flame/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [In a very real sense, there are only two roles in organisations: customers and suppliers. Everybody functions simultaneously in both roles, whether inside or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/in-a-very-real-sense-there-are-only-two-roles-in-organisations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [To blame and accuse other people, is to choose to empower them, to control us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/to-blame-and-accuse-other-people-is-to-choose-to-empower-them-to/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/be-part-of-the-solution-not-part-of-the-problem/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [If you are an effective manager of your self, your discipline comes from within; it is a function of your independent will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/if-you-are-an-effective-manager-of-your-self-your-discipline-comes/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [I believe in Coach Louis Wong. He is so much more than just a football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/i-believe-in-coach-louis-wong-he-is-so-much-more-than-just-a-football/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people struggle with life balance simply because they haven't paid the price to decide what is really important to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-struggle-with-life-balance-simply-because-they-haven-t/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Highly proactive people don't blame circumstances, conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their own conscious choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/highly-proactive-people-don-t-blame-circumstances-conditions-or/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [When it comes to developing character strength, inner security and unique personal and interpersonal talents and skills in a child, no institution can or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-it-comes-to-developing-character-strength-inner-security-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Most people define greatness through wealth and popularity and position in the corner office. But what I call everyday greatness comes from character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/most-people-define-greatness-through-wealth-and-popularity-and/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Contrary to what most people believe, trust is not some soft, illusive quality that you either have or you don't; rather, trust is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/contrary-to-what-most-people-believe-trust-is-not-some-soft-illusive/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [We are limited but we can push back the borders of our limitations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/we-are-limited-but-we-can-push-back-the-borders-of-our-limitations/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really?... True effectiveness requires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/many-people-seem-to-think-that-success-in-one-area-can-compensate-for/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) [Explore all 663 Stephen Covey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) ## More Circumstances quotes > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. The real cause of all problems lie in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/jobs-and-money-are-never-the-primary-cause-of-stress-thinking/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/the-fortunate-circumstances-of-our-lives-are-generally-found-at-last/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [“The set of circumstances that justifies the use of deadly force is a situation of immediate danger of death or great bodily harm to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/massad-ayoob/the-set-of-circumstances-that-justifies-the-use-of-deadly-force-is-a/) [Massad Ayoob](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/massad-ayoob/) > [My sister-in-law works for a group that supports orphanages in Cairo. She and her colleagues take care of children left behind by circumstances beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-elbaradei/my-sister-in-law-works-for-a-group-that-supports-orphanages-in-cairo/) [Mohamed ElBaradei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-elbaradei/) > [It's impossible to know who Donald might have been under different circumstances and with different parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-l-trump/it-s-impossible-to-know-who-donald-might-have-been-under-different/) [Mary L. Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-l-trump/) > [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/) [Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/) > [Being positive helps you to keep away negative thoughts. And helps you to stand in adverse circumstances with the hope that in the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/being-positive-helps-you-to-keep-away-negative-thoughts-and-helps-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [It seemed to me that the human beings I met reacted pretty much the same to the same stimuli. Different idioms,yes. Circumstances and conditions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zora-neale-hurston/it-seemed-to-me-that-the-human-beings-i-met-reacted-pretty-much-the/) [Zora Neale Hurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zora-neale-hurston/) > [I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/i-don-t-think-you-would-have-missed-that-putt-but-in-these/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [I used to think I could shape the circumstances around me, but now I know Jesus uses circumstances to shape me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-goff/i-used-to-think-i-could-shape-the-circumstances-around-me-but-now-i/) [Bob Goff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-goff/) > [Instead of complaining about your circumstances, get busy creating new ones. You either suffer the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-complaining-about-your-circumstances-get-busy-creating-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 4,560 Circumstances quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Start small, make a promise and keep it. Then, make larger promises and keep them. Eventually, your honor will become greater than your moods or your circumstances, which includes your medical condition and other people's stereotypic observations. 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