This line from ‘Double Star’ by Robert Heinlein has stuck with me for decades.
Someone asks the hero for his solemn vow that he won’t divulge a secret. The hero says that if his simple promise isn’t good enough, what makes a solemn vow any better?
Yes, that’s exactly it in my opinion. You either know can trust the word of someone or you know you can’t. Swearing on your mother life has exactly as much meaning as giving someone the pinky promise.
This line from ‘Double Star’ by Robert Heinlein has stuck with me for decades.
Someone asks the hero for his solemn vow that he won’t divulge a secret. The hero says that if his simple promise isn’t good enough, what makes a solemn vow any better?
Yes, that’s exactly it in my opinion. You either know can trust the word of someone or you know you can’t. Swearing on your mother life has exactly as much meaning as giving someone the pinky promise.