" The Unsolicited Promise When the man volunteered, “I promise we’ll look after him,” he gave one of the most reliable signals of trouble. Promises are used to convince us of an intention, but they are not guarantees. A guarantee offers some compensation if the speaker fails to deliver, but promises offer no such collateral. They are the very hollowest instruments of speech, showing nothing more than the speaker’s desire to convince you of something. "

― Gavin de Becker , Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane)