All men have a feeling, that they would rather you told them a civil lie than give them a point blank refusal…. If you make a promise, the thing is still uncertain, depends on a future day, and concerns but few people; but if you refuse you alienate people to a certainty and at once, and many people too.
A man who had two sons ... went to the first and said, "Son, go out and work in my vineyard today." But he answered and said, "I will not," but afterward he repented of it and he went. And the father went to the second and said the same. But he answered, "I will, sir," and he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?
We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot.
Giants inIn their performance.
The Great Spirit placed me and my people on this land poor and naked. When the white men came we gave them lands, and did not wish to hurt them. But the white man drove us back and took our lands. Then the Great Father [president] made us many promises, but they are not kept. He promised to give us large presents, and when they came to us they were small; they seemed to be lost on the way.
Thy promises are like Adonis' gardensThat one day bloomed and fruitful were the next.
And be these juggling fiends no more believ'd,And break it to our hope.
His promises were, as he then was, mighty;But his performance, as he is now, nothing.
Promises and Pye-Crusts,… are made to be broken.
Promise is most given when the least is said.
You never bade me hope, 'tis true; And read a promise there.
We promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears.
There buds the promise of celestial worth.