“Said and done.” What has been promised is immediately acted upon; no further discussion is needed.
“Pacta sunt servanda.”
(Latin) “Agreements must be kept.” This legal principle is often cited in German business and legal contexts to emphasize the binding nature of agreements.
Transit Agreement (1972)
The first German-German agreement at government level, the Transit Agreement, came into force on June 3, 1972. It facilitated travel between West Germany and West Berlin through East Germany. The agreement was implemented as negotiated, and both sides adhered to its terms with minimal need for ongoing re-confirmation or renegotiation, reflecting the German tendency to treat agreements as binding and self-sustaining once concluded.
“Abgemacht ist abgemacht”
Agreed is agreed. Once an agreement has been reached, it is binding and does not require further confirmation.
“Ein Mann, ein Wort.”
“One Man. One word.” A person’s word is their bond; if someone says they will do something, it will be done without the need for follow-up.
“Was gesagt ist, gilt.”
“What is said, counts.” Once something has been said and agreed upon, it stands and is valid.
“Vertrag ist Vertrag.
“A contract is a contract.” Agreements-whether formal or informal-are binding and must be honored as such.
Treaty of Versailles (1919)
Although the Treaty of Versailles was deeply resented in Germany, the Allied powers expected strict adherence to its terms, and Germany was held to a high standard of compliance. The German public and government viewed agreements – even highly unfavorable ones – as binding, and the expectation was that obligations would be fulfilled as stipulated, unless renegotiated through formal channels.
utmost seriousness
In Thomas Mann’s Buddenbrooks a Lübeck merchant family illustrates the German values of duty, reliability, and the sanctity of one’s word. Business agreements in the novel are treated with utmost seriousness; once made, they are honored without the need for repeated checks or reminders. The family’s decline is partly attributed to deviations from these values, highlighting their foundational importance.
“Ein Mann, ein Wort”
Ein Mann, ein Wort. Literally, a man, a word. If you promise something, you have to keep it. This saying stands for reliability and consistency. A word is considered just as binding as a written contract.