“A lover who promises eternal fidelity is more likely to be believed if he believes his promise himself; he is no more likely to keep the promise.”

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.

Source: Between Man and Man (1965), p. 178 -->

Source: Attributed from postum publications, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 261.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message for the New Year, 2004. un.org http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sgsm9095.doc.htm

Nelly Dean on Joseph (Ch. V).
Wuthering Heights (1847)

Source: Night (1960)
Context: "Don't be deluded. Hitler has made it clear that he will annihilate all Jews before the clock strikes twelve."
I exploded:
"What do you care what he said? Would you want us to consider him a prophet?"
His cold eyes stared at me. At last, he said wearily:
"I have more faith in Hitler than in anyone else. He alone has kept his promises, all his promises, to the Jewish people."

The Truth (1896)
Context: The promise of Christ to reward those who will believe is a bribe. It is an attempt to make a promise take the place of evidence. He who says that he believes, and does this for the sake of the reward, corrupts his soul.

Variant: Therefore you can never lose hope--because if you keep hope alive, it will keep you alive.
Source: City of Lost Souls