The promise: Responsibility, honor, and trust.
(Baonghean.vn) - A promise is an affirmation made to another person when asked to do something, or sometimes it's something you initiate and promise to do for someone else. In life, almost everyone has made promises, and sometimes even sworn to keep them.
There are simple promises: doing something, attending a social gathering, meeting friends, etc. But there are also very sacred and solemn promises made when accepting a responsibility or mission entrusted by a community or nation. There are promises made to divine beings whom everyone admires and respects.
Responsible individuals with high self-esteem and good character carefully consider their promises before making them: How important is the promise? Why make the promise? What are the conditions for fulfilling the promise? What steps should be taken to fulfill the promise? They understand that a promise is a matter of honor and responsibility. Making a promise means receiving trust and hope in return. That trust will be strengthened if it is fully fulfilled. Conversely, once trust is lost, it is very difficult to rebuild. From this understanding, they firmly believe in and are determined to fulfill their promises, considering it both an honor and a responsibility.
While in Pac Bo, Cao Bang, Uncle Ho lived very harmoniously with everyone. One day, upon hearing that Uncle Ho was going on a long business trip, one of the children who usually clung to him ran up to him and said:
Uncle, when you come back from your business trip, please remember to buy me a silver bracelet!
The doctor bent down, stroked the baby's head, looked at the child affectionately, and whispered:
- Be a good boy at home. When Uncle comes back, he'll buy you a gift.
More than two years later, Uncle Ho returned. Everyone was overjoyed, crowding around to inquire about his health, and no one remembered what had happened years ago. Suddenly, Uncle Ho opened his bag, took out a brand-new silver bracelet, and handed it to the little girl. The girl and everyone else were so moved that they shed tears.
The doctor said:
- The child specifically asked me to buy it, which means they really like it. As adults, we have to keep our promises; that's what "trustworthiness" is all about. We need to maintain trust with everyone.
Perhaps in life, not everyone who makes a promise can always keep it. Many objective and subjective factors influence the fulfillment of a promise. Furthermore, the fast pace of life sometimes makes us forget the true value of a promise. Whether unintentional or intentional, this can lead to sadness and disappointment for others.
Sadly, however, within our political system, there are those in high positions who, even when making promises, treat it merely as a formality. They fail to realize that while promises may be just words to them, they represent trust and hope to others. They make empty, superficial statements. They casually treat promises as mere empty words, promising and then failing to fulfill them, only to make more promises, to the point where people label them "the Promise Makers"! Constantly making promises becomes tiresome. Eventually, no one will believe their promises anymore.
There are also those who make promises and then immediately forget them, abandoning their commitments. Or when asked about their promises, they offer excuses, pass the buck, and try to justify themselves... In reality, this is a cover-up for indifference, irresponsibility, lack of self-respect, and even dishonesty!
Keeping one's word is a noble quality in social life. Breaking a promise not only tarnishes one's own reputation but also harms others. Remembering and fulfilling one's promises is also a way to improve one's character. Trustworthiness becomes a moral category in interpersonal relationships. This is especially crucial for those in leadership positions at all levels.
Our ancestors taught us: "Once untrustworthy, always untrustworthy," "Ten refusals are better than one broken promise," or there's a very figurative folk saying: "Keep your word / Don't be like a butterfly, landing and then flying away." Westerners, on the other hand, are more straightforward and honest: "I'm not upset that you deceived me. I'm upset because from now on I can no longer trust you."
