Empty Promises: Meaning, quotes, & psychology

“Empty promises” is a phrase that describes when someone makes a promise that they have no intention of keeping or that they cannot fulfill. Many words are synonymous with “empty promises,” including “false promises,” which suggests that the promise is not true; and “hollow promises,” which implies that the promise is empty and has no real substance; Fake promises often have a disappointed reality.

“deceptive promises,” There are three types of promises: “deceptive promises,” which means the promise is meant to trick or deceive someone; “broken promises,” which means the promise was made but not fulfilled; and “unfulfilled promises,” which means the promise was not kept.”insincere promises,” which suggests that the person making the promise did not really mean it;

“dishonest promises,” which suggests that the promise was made with the intent to deceive; “misleading promises,” which suggests that the promise led someone to believe something that was not true; “phony promises,” which suggests that the promise was not genuine; “fraudulent promises,” which suggests that the promise was made with the intent to deceive or cheat someone;

“unrealistic promises,” which suggests that the promise was impossible to keep; “shallow promises,” which suggests that the promise was not very meaningful; “fake promises,” which suggests that the promise was not genuine or real; and “betraying promises,” which suggests that the promise was made with the intent to betray or let down someone who trusted the promiser.

Empty Promises Meaning

Empty promises are when someone says they will do something, but they don’t plan on doing it or can’t. This is dishonest and sneaky behavior because they are trying to trick the other person into thinking they will get what they want when they won’t. 

Empty promises can make people feel let down, lose trust in the person who made the promise and even hurt emotionally. It’s essential to be careful about believing promises from others and think about why they are making the promise in the first place.

Empty Promises Quotes

• “Promises are the sweetest lies.” – Unknown

• “Don’t make false promises you can’t keep.” – Unknown

• “The most important promises are the ones you make to yourself.” – Unknown

• “Empty promises are worse than lies. They not only deceive but also rob the hope of those who hear them.” -Unknown

• “Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.” – Unknown

• “Promises are the uniquely human way of ordering the future, making it predictable and reliable to the extent that this is humanly possible.” -Hannah Arendt

Empty Promises Psychology of Guys Who Make Empty Promises

The psychology behind why some people, including guys, make empty promises can be complex and vary from person to person. Here are some possible factors that can help you to understand the psychology of guys who make empty promises.

Low self-esteem and the desire for approval

People who don’t feel good about themselves might lie to get people to like them. They might make empty promises to seem important, even if they don’t plan on keeping them. Some people might make empty promises to make others happy and get their approval. They might feel like they have to agree to things to be liked, but they might not be able to actually do what they said they would.

Unrealistic expectations and fear of conflict

Sometimes guys make false promises they can’t keep because they think they can do more than they really can. They might want to do what they said, but they don’t think about if it’s possible. Other times, people lie about promises so they don’t have to argue or fight. They might not want to say “no,” so they promise things, but they don’t really plan to do them.

Lack of empathy and lack of accountability

Some guys don’t understand or care about how other people feel. They might promise things without thinking about them or caring about the harm they can cause. Some people don’t think it’s important to keep their promises or care about what it does to others. They might promise things without thinking about how it will affect others, and then they don’t do what they said they would because they don’t feel like it’s their problem.

Manipulation and the desire for control

Some people make empty promises to gain control over others. By making promises, they can establish a sense of trust. And then use that trust to manipulate the other person into doing what they want. In some cases, people may make empty promises to manipulate or take advantage of others. They may use promises as a means of gaining trust or control over someone else.

Related- Psychology Behind Cutting Someone Off

Narcissist Empty Promises

Narcissists are known for making false promises as part of their manipulative behavior. Here are the 5 most common ways that narcissists may use empty promises.

• To gain control:

Narcissists may make empty promises to gain control over their targets. They may use promises as a way to establish a sense of trust and then use that trust to manipulate their targets into doing what they want.

• To appear more impressive:

Narcissists may make empty promises to appear more impressive to others. They may make grandiose promises that they have no intention of keeping to gain admiration or praise from others.

• To avoid consequences:

Narcissists may make empty promises to avoid facing the consequences of their actions. They may make false promises to make amends or change their behavior but have no real intention of following through.

• To keep their targets hooked:

Narcissists may make false promises to keep their targets hooked and invested in the relationship. They may use promises to keep their targets hoping that things will get better, even if they have no real intention of changing.

• To gaslight:

Narcissists may make empty promises as a way to gaslight their targets. They may promise one thing and then later deny ever making the promise, making their target question their own memory and perception.

Empty Promises Examples

• A politician makes a promise to fix a particular issue in their campaign. But once elected, they fail to follow through with any meaningful action.
• A company promises a customer that they will provide a refund for a faulty product. But never actually processes the refund.
• A friend promises to help you move apartments but then cancels at the last minute, leaving you to handle the move alone.
• A romantic partner promises to stop engaging in certain behavior that bothers you but continues to engage in that behavior despite making the promise.
• An employer promises an employee a promotion or raise, but fails to deliver on that promise despite the employee’s hard work and dedication.
• A parent promises a child that they will attend their school play. But fails to show up due to other commitments.

These examples show how people can make empty promises in different situations, like politics or personal relationships. Empty promises can disappoint. And cause distrust, and even emotional pain because they make people expect things that never happen. It’s essential to be careful of promises made by others and to think about why they are making them.

Can You Sue for False Promises?

If someone made a promise to you and didn’t keep it, you may be able to sue them if you suffered damages as a result. However, this depends on the specific circumstances and laws where you live. To know if you have a case, you should talk to a lawyer who knows about contracts and legal disputes. 

Proving that someone made a false promise can be difficult, and you’ll need to show that they meant to trick you and that you relied on their promise to your disadvantage. You will also need to provide evidence of how their failure to keep the promise harmed you.