proverb · Legacy record
He loses his thanks who promise and delays.
He loses his thanks who promise and delays.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying links delayed fulfilment with losing thanks. It suggests that a promise may disappoint when useful action is postponed.
What the words are saying
The irregular source grammar is retained. A qualified reading considers whether the delay is unreasonable, explained or part of the agreed timing. Gratitude is not a reward a promisor can demand, and delay does not automatically remove respect or prove indifference.
Everyday example
Someone explains a delayed commitment and checks whether the revised timing still meets the recipient’s need.
When to use it
Use it to discuss delay and usefulness with the actual agreement considered.
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What it does not mean
No inevitable loss of respect or entitlement to gratitude is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 963; PDF page 134
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.