You can't trust a promise someone makes while they're drunk, in
You can't trust a promise someone makes while they're drunk, in love, hungry, or running for office.
The words of Joe Moore strike with the sharpness of ancient proverbs: “You can’t trust a promise someone makes while they’re drunk, in love, hungry, or running for office.” In this saying lies not cynicism, but a deep understanding of human frailty. For promises made in states of passion or desperation are rarely born of steady reason; they are the sparks of momentary fire, not the enduring flame of conviction. Moore reminds us that trust must be anchored not in words spoken at the height of emotion, but in deeds proven in the calm light of day.
The ancients themselves knew this lesson. Consider the oaths of warriors in Homer’s Iliad, who in the heat of anger vowed destruction or glory, only to waver when their passions cooled. To swear while drunk was folly, for wine unchains the tongue but weakens judgment. To swear while blinded by love often led to ruin, as Paris of Troy swore loyalty to Helen above all else, and in so doing brought fire upon his people. Hunger, too, has bent the wills of kings and peasants alike; Esau in the Hebrew scriptures sold his birthright for a single meal, a promise made not in wisdom but in desperation. And as for those running for office, history is littered with the wreckage of political promises made to win the crowd, yet forgotten once power was attained.
This truth has echoed in the halls of history. One need only remember the promises of emperors and kings, who swore to bring peace but instead sought conquest. Napoleon once promised liberty to Europe, but his ambition left nations in chains. In contrast, leaders who spoke sparingly and kept their word, like George Washington, became pillars of trust precisely because they understood the weight of their promises. Thus Moore’s warning is not merely about avoiding falsehood, but about recognizing the states of weakness in which words lose their anchor.
The deeper meaning is this: a promise has weight only when made with clarity of mind, steadiness of heart, and freedom from immediate need. The intoxicated soul cannot bind itself, for it speaks without reason. The lovestruck cannot swear forever, for they see not the world as it is, but only as desire paints it. The starving cannot choose wisely, for their body drives them beyond patience. And the ambitious politician may swear loyalty to all, but their hunger for power often outweighs their loyalty to truth. Thus, discernment is required—not every vow deserves belief.
Yet this teaching is not meant to make us hardened or bitter. Rather, it is a call to wisdom. To trust is sacred, and it should not be given lightly. But when we recognize the moments when words are unreliable, we can guard ourselves from disappointment. True friendship, true leadership, true love are proven not by promises made in passion, but by actions lived in patience. It is not the vow whispered at midnight, but the daily deed at dawn, that reveals sincerity.
The lesson is clear: measure promises by the ground they stand on. Do not despise those who falter, but do not chain your heart to words spoken in weakness. Instead, wait and watch: does the vow endure when the wine has passed, when the hunger is satisfied, when the election is over? If it does, then you may place your trust in it. If not, let it pass like smoke on the wind.
Practical actions follow: be cautious with your own promises. Do not swear in haste, under passion, or in desperation, lest you break the bond of your own integrity. Instead, speak your commitments when calm, and let your actions prove them true. When others make promises, weigh the spirit in which they are spoken, and give your trust not to words, but to the pattern of deeds. In this way, you will not be easily deceived, and your own word will shine with the strength of truth.
PTPhuongg Thao
Moore’s quote is a bit harsh, but it does bring up an interesting point. Can we ever trust decisions made in such emotional states? Does it mean people are less reliable when they’re in love, hungry, or intoxicated? What about politicians who make promises during campaigns to gain votes? Should we expect them to be less accountable for what they say, given the pressures of the moment?
RRumako_Yukima
This quote really speaks to human vulnerability. We’ve all made promises or decisions when we were under the influence of strong emotions, like love or hunger, only to regret them later. But when politicians do it, shouldn’t we be more cautious? How do we separate genuine intentions from political strategy when the stakes are so high? How can we better discern sincerity in those situations?
TDTa Thuy Duong
I can’t help but agree with the skepticism in this quote, especially when it comes to promises made by politicians. It seems like they often say whatever people want to hear to secure votes, only to fall short later. But what about when people promise things while they’re emotional or in a heightened state? Are we holding them to unrealistic standards by expecting those promises to be kept?
AHNguyen Duy Duc Anh Huy
I get the point Joe Moore is making, but I wonder if it’s always fair to dismiss promises made during those times. For example, some people might be really passionate or excited when they’re in love, and maybe they mean it in the moment. Does that mean they can't be trusted, or does it just reflect a human tendency to speak with strong emotion, rather than calculated intent?
BNTao bi ngu
This quote really makes me think about how easily people can be swayed by their emotions or circumstances. When someone is in a vulnerable state—whether it's from alcohol, love, or hunger—are they truly making decisions based on reason? It makes me question the promises made by politicians during campaigns. How many of them are just saying things to get elected, without real intention to follow through?