I do not pretend to give such a sum; I only lend it to…
““I do not pretend to give such a sum; I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your country with a good character, you cannot fail of getting into some business, that will in time enable you to pay all your debts. In that case, when you meet with another honest man in similar distress, you must pay me by lending this sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with such another opportunity. I hope it may thus go through many hands, before it meets with a knave that will stop its progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A small loan can circulate among honest people, multiplying goodwill and aiding many, but it fails when a dishonest person intercepts it.
In simple terms: Lending money wisely creates a chain of help.
Key Takeaway
Use small loans to foster mutual aid.
Themes
generosity
trust
financial networks
Mood
practical
ethical
Type
financial
philosophical
When to use this quote
- community projects
- micro‑finance
- peer‑to‑peer lending
Key Concepts
economics
ethics
social capital
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure borrowers remain honest?
- What safeguards protect a lending chain?
A Different Perspective
Risk of default if a borrower is untrustworthy.