Promise is debt.
It emphasizes that a promise creates a binding obligation, a debt that must be honored and fulfilled to maintain trust and credibility. When you make a promise, you owe it to the person to whom you made it, and that "debt" is only paid by keeping your word. Breaking a promise can damage trust and relationships, and can have consequences. It is important to be careful about making promises and to follow through on them when possible.
A promise isn't a casual statement but a binding obligation and responsibility that you are morally and ethically bound to fulfill. The core idea is that one's word holds weight, and responsible individuals should be diligent in keeping their commitments.
It is an Irish proverb, it carries the weight of this ancient wisdom. The proverb is used in various cultures and has been around for centuries. The Canadian poet Robert Service also used the phrase "A promise made is a debt unpaid" in his poem, highlighting the same concept.
