Quotes about Oath Breaking

Saint Augustine

I too have sworn heedlessly and all the time, I have had this most repulsive and death-dealing habit. I'm telling your graces; from the moment I began to serve God , and saw what evil there is in forswearing oneself, I grew very afraid indeed, and out of fear I applied the brakes to this old, old, habit.

Robert G. Ingersoll

Perjury is the basest and meanest and most cowardly of crimes. What can it do? Perjury can change the common air that we breathe into the axe of an executioner.

William Shakespeare

I'll take thy word for faith, not ask thine oath; Who shuns not to break one will sure crack both.

Thomas Dale

He that shall take an oath untruely, or bear false wittness in any cause or against any man whatsoever, shall be punished with death.

In the first real code of laws of the first American Coony in Virginia,, lying under oath was a capital offense.

Solon

Consider your honour, as a gentleman, of more weight than an oath.

Constantine XI Palaiologos

Now that you have broken the treaties to which I am bound by oath, let these be dissolved. Henceforth, I will keep the city gate closed. I will fight for the inhabitants with all my strength. You may continue in your power until the Righteous Judge passes sentence on each of us.

This is a good example of how religious zeal has sometimes caused rulers to really do stupid things. Rather than try and negotiate a deal with the Sultan and pay an annual tribute or other such diplomatic solution as was common at the time, he was convinced that God would make sure that the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire—a holy city would not fall to the infidel and allow all the holy relics to fall into the hands of the heathen. In reality he would not fight for the inhabitants; he would force the inhabitants to fight for him and his view of the will of God. The message was taken by the young Sultan to be a personal challenge to him and to his God. See {634805} for his response to Constantine.

William Cowper

And hast thou sworn on every slight pretence,
Till perjuries are common as bad pence,
While thousands, careless of the damning sin,
Kiss the book's outside, who ne'er look'd within?

John McCain

Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and made it more likely that others would join the ranks of her fallen comrades. Her prison sentence may end in a few months' [time], but her dishonor will last forever.

Marcus Tullius Cicero

I have sworn with my tongue, but my mind is unsworn.
[Lat., Juravi lingua, mentem injuratem gero.]

Euripides

It was my tongue that swore; my heart is unsworn.

Samuel Butler

Each man swore to do his best To damn and perjure all the rest

Samuel Butler

He that imposes an oath makes it, Not he that for conveniences takes it. Then how can any man be said To break an oath he never made.

George Gillespie

How small regard is had to the oath of God by men professing the name of God.

Oath Breaking Quotes