
2013, Fifth State of the Union Address (February 2013)
Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)
2013, Fifth State of the Union Address (February 2013)
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.
From the Preface to A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists, (c 1779)
General sources
“We don’t need any more promises. We need to start keeping the promises we already made.”
Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s message for the New Year, 2004. un.org http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sgsm9095.doc.htm
Ch. XV : The Peace of Righteousness http://books.google.com/books?id=Io4fAAAAIAAJ&q=%22The+only+safe+rule+is+to+promise+little+and+faithfully+to+keep+every+promise+to+speak+softly+and+carry+a+big+stick%22&pg=PA537#v=onepage
1910s, Theodore Roosevelt — An Autobiography (1913)