George Washington's Rules of Civility Traced to their Sources and Restored by Moncure D. Conway
Chapter vii. 25. Ne vous chargez point d'vne chose dont vous ne
vous pouuez acquiter; maintenez ce que vous auez promis.
Do not undertake anything that you cannot perform; keep your promise.
83d. When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, however mean y'e Person be you do it too