The words are so old, they are hoary with age! As I said on another thread, Dolly Madison probably said them too.
You’re right it’s old as dust. If I looked longer, I could probably find a quote from Ceasar saying it. In the meantime:
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.:
I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a mans word should be as good as his bond; that character - not wealth or power or position - is of supreme worth
or W. Lamb:
Your word is your bond. Make sure your words match your actions. Keep your word and fulfill your promises. Your character is more important than your reputation.
or Orson Welles:
In common with all Protestant and Jewish cultures, America was developed on the idea that your word is your bond. Otherwise the frontier could never have been opened, cause it was lawless. A mans word has to mean something.
or even Charles Dickens:
The word of a gentleman is as good as his bond; and sometimes better