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Silent Prisoner
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since 2006-02-15
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Around Somewhere

0 posted 2006-07-24 01:47 PM



What is a promise?

"I will give you my strength and my will to live strong."

© Copyright 2006 Silent Prisoner - All Rights Reserved
Grinch
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since 2005-12-31
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Whoville
1 posted 2006-07-24 06:04 PM



A contract to undertake an action.

SEA
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Member Seraphic
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2 posted 2006-07-24 06:26 PM


I would have to say, and strictly from my point of view, that depends on who is giving the promise. For some, to promise something means nothing. In that respect, it would be necessary for the person doing the promising and the one being promised to, to have the same understanding of what a promise is in the first place. Otherwise I think there could be no validity in a promise.
Michael
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3 posted 2006-07-24 07:09 PM


You assume a promise to be a two person contract, Sea.. it doen't have to be that way.
kif kif
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since 2006-06-01
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BCN
4 posted 2006-07-24 07:22 PM


Yes, you can promise yourself. Grinch says it best.
SEA
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5 posted 2006-07-24 09:02 PM


yes Michael, very true, I was assuming it to be between two people.
I think if you promise something to yourself, you should be honest in that promise.

Silent Prisoner
Junior Member
since 2006-02-15
Posts 39
Around Somewhere
6 posted 2006-07-24 09:46 PM


I bring up this question because no two people see a promise in the same way. They are everywhere in our society today snd yet no one really knows what a promise truly is or means.

"I will give you my strength and my will to live strong."

Stephanos
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7 posted 2006-07-24 11:07 PM


I disagree.  Each person may put it in slightly different words, but the meaning is the same.  And when promises are broken, everyone pretty much feels slighted.  


The meaning of "promise" is not ambiguous at all.


Stephen.

Essorant
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since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
8 posted 2006-07-26 02:24 AM


Here is the entry from Etymology Online:

Promise

"c.1400, from L. promissum "a promise," noun use of neuter pp. of promittere "send forth, foretell, promise," from pro-"before" + mittere "to put, send" (see mission). Ground sense is "declaration made about the future, about some act to be done or not done." The verb is attested from c.1420. Promised land (1538) is a ref. to the land of Canaan promised to Abraham and his progeny (Heb. xi.9, etc.; Gk. ten ges tes epangelias). Promising "showing signs of future excellence" is from 1601"


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