No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the…
“No pecuniary consideration is more urgent, than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt: on none can delay be more injurious, or an economy of time more valuable. ... Cherish public credit. One method of preserving it is to use it as sparingly as possible: avoiding occasions of expence (and) avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt ... not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burthen which we ourselves ought to bear.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The most urgent financial priority is promptly paying off public debt, as delaying harms the economy and wastes time.
In simple terms: Pay off debt quickly to protect the economy.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize debt repayment.
Themes
finance
public policy
responsibility
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advisory
historical
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- national debt management
- public finance
- economic planning
Key Concepts
fiscal discipline
intergenerational equity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can modern governments balance debt reduction with investment?
- What are the risks of excessive frugality?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring debt can cause long‑term fiscal instability.