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The cost of making only the maker knows, Valueless if bought, but sometimes traded. A poor man may give one as easily as a king. When one is broken pain and deceit are assured.

Illustration for riddle: The cost of making only the maker knows,
Valueless if bought, but sometimes traded.
A poor man may g

Promise

Why this works

The answer to the riddle is "promise," and it works on several levels of wordplay and meaning. The "cost of making" refers to the intangible effort it takes to make a promise, which only the person making it truly understands. Promises are "valueless if bought," meaning they can't be purchased, yet they can be traded in the sense of exchanging commitments or trust between people. Both a poor man and a king can make promises, highlighting that their value doesn't depend on wealth. Finally, when a promise is "broken," it often leads to feelings of pain and deceit, emphasizing the emotional weight that promises carry.

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Common Wrong Answers

“Gold”

Gold has intrinsic value and can be bought or sold, which contradicts the idea that it is 'valueless if bought'.

“Gift”

A gift can be valuable and is often given with the expectation of appreciation, which does not align with the riddle's emphasis on valuelessness and deceit.

“Secret”

While a secret can be traded or shared, it does not involve the notion of being 'broken' in the same way a promise does, nor does it imply the same consequences of pain and deceit.

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