How to Read “Easy promises surely lack trust”
Keidaku wa kanarazu shin sukunashi
Meaning of “Easy promises surely lack trust”
This proverb means that people who make promises carelessly cannot be trusted.
When someone says “I’ll do it” or “I can handle it” without thinking deeply, they often lack both the commitment and plan to keep that promise.
As a result, they break their promises and lose people’s trust. This saying serves as a warning against such behavior.
You can use this proverb when warning someone who is making promises too easily. It also works as self-reflection when you’re about to agree to something carelessly.
People also use it when talking about someone who has broken promises many times in the past.
This expression clearly shows the cause-and-effect relationship between careless promises and low credibility.
Even today, many people say nice things but don’t follow through. Some agree to things just to get through the moment, saying “I can do it” without real consideration.
This proverb teaches us that such attitudes ultimately damage your own reputation. It’s a timeless truth that remains relevant today.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely comes from Chapter 63 of the ancient Chinese text “Laozi” (Tao Te Ching).
The original text reads “軽諾必寡信” (easy promises surely lack trust). This phrase was brought to Japan and used as is, according to the most accepted theory.
“Keidaku” means agreeing to something carelessly. “Kashin” means having little trust, or being unreliable.
Laozi’s philosophy understood human nature deeply. He saw that people who promise easily lack the determination or ability to keep those promises, and therefore lose trust.
In ancient China, the weight of words was valued even more than today.
Especially among rulers and leaders, there was a strict ethical code. Once you spoke words, you absolutely had to follow through.
In this social context, making promises carelessly was an act that called your entire character into question.
This saying came to Japan during an era when Chinese classical education was highly valued.
The concept of “the weight of words” resonated deeply with Japanese hearts. It connected with the spirit of bushido (the way of the warrior).
The importance of keeping promises has been passed down as a universal moral value throughout East Asia.
Usage Examples
- He’s always like “Easy promises surely lack trust” – even when I ask him, he never actually does it
- Since “Easy promises surely lack trust,” let’s not agree too quickly and only take on what we can actually do
Universal Wisdom
Why do people make promises so carelessly? It’s because they want to meet the other person’s expectations in that moment and be liked.
They avoid the awkwardness of saying no. They say “yes” just to smooth things over temporarily. This is a human weakness that transcends time.
However, this proverb teaches a harsh truth. Quick agreements that get you through the moment will cost you trust in the long run – the most precious thing you have.
A promise is a contract with the future. To keep it, you need to calmly assess your current abilities and situation.
People who promise easily haven’t made this assessment.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t say “don’t break promises.” Instead, it says “don’t make promises carelessly.”
The real problem isn’t the act of breaking promises itself. It’s the carelessness at the moment you make the promise.
Promising things you can’t deliver – that initial poor judgment is where all loss of trust begins.
In human relationships, trust takes years to build but only a moment to lose.
Our ancestors understood how fragile trust is. They embedded in this proverb the wisdom that you must be careful from the very moment you make a promise.
When AI Hears This
Game theory explains why people who promise easily aren’t trusted. It’s an inevitable phenomenon.
According to signaling theory proposed by economist Michael Spence, trustworthy information always comes with a cost.
In other words, words spoken without any burden give the other person no reason to believe them.
For example, anyone can say “I’ll definitely work hard” in a job interview. This costs nothing to say, so both liars and honest people can say the same thing.
Game theory calls this “cheap talk” and analyzes it as having no informational value.
On the other hand, presenting qualifications or achievements is a reliable signal. It’s proof that you paid actual costs in time and money.
People who promise carelessly are essentially lowering the cost of their promises.
People who think carefully before promising send a signal through that very thought process and judgment. The signal says “this promise is important.”
Having the courage to refuse is also a high-cost action. You’re taking the risk of disappointing the other person’s expectations.
In other words, being careful about promises itself becomes a way to prove reliability beyond words.
Trust in human relationships is measured not by the content of words, but by the cost it took to speak those words.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern you is the importance of having the courage to say “no.”
In today’s society, promises are exchanged casually through social media and messaging apps.
But because of that convenience, hasn’t the weight of promises become lighter?
What matters is taking a breath before you promise. Can you really do this? Do you have time? Does it conflict with other promises?
Not skipping these checks protects your credibility.
And have the honesty to say “I can’t do that” when you can’t. You might disappoint someone in that moment, but it’s far more honest than breaking a promise later.
Refusing isn’t coldness. It’s kindness that values both yourself and the other person.
If you want to become someone people trust, start by reducing the number of promises you make. Make sure you keep each one reliably.
Ten solid promises are worth more than a hundred light ones. They increase your value.
By giving weight to your words, you give weight to your own existence.
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