Yī yǔ wéizhòng, bǎi jīn qīng.

一語為重, 百金輕。

Lit One word is heavy [in comparison to which a] hundred catties of gold is light.

Fig One must keep one's promises at all costs.

Note [Cf. Shǐ Jì: Shāng Jūn Lièzhuàn; note: wéizhòng, “to attach (most) importance to”; one jīn or “catty” equals one-half kilogram; see also hǎi yuè shàng kě qīng and xǔ rén yī wù above.]

Topics jīn PROMISES Shǐ_Jì