
Canto I, stanza 15.
The Corsair (1814)
Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 221
Canto I, stanza 15.
The Corsair (1814)
“Only faith can keep what hope promises.”
Source: Lumina and New Lumina (1969), p. 17
“China has a good record of keeping promises. We honor our words with actions.”
"Ambassador Qin Gang Takes an Interview with Forbes" https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zwjg_665342/zwbd_665378/202205/t20220506_10682131.html (5 May 2022)
“What we needed were not words and promises but the steady accumulation of small realities.”
Variant: What we needed were not words and promises but a steady accumulation of small realities.
Source: South of the Border, West of the Sun
“I could scarcely bear to look at her eyes. They promised such intimacies.”
Half a Life (2001)
Source: My Double Life (1907), Ch. 25
Context: Victor Hugo could not promise without keeping his word. He was not like me: I promise everything with the firm intention of keeping my promises, and two hours after I have forgotten all about them. If any one reminds me of what I have promised, I tear my hair, and to make up for my forgetfulness I say anything, I buy presents — in fact, I complicate my life with useless worries. It has always been thus, and always will be so.