The reason why the ancients did not readily give utterance to their words, was that they feared lest their actions should not come up to them.
古者言之不出，耻躬之不逮也。
Source: The Analects, Li Ren IV, Chapter 22
Author: Confucius / 孔子
Confucius on the Paradox of Promise: The Fear That Precedes Integrity
