New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time. (James Agate, British diarist and critic)
Many people make resolutions, but most of us soon fail in keeping our pledges. Agate even provided a caveat in his promise: “provided [it] does not encourage them to take up more of my time.” Rather than looking for ways to duck out on our promises, we would do better to make resolutions that are character-building and sustainable.
When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:4:5).