There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing…
“There is no practice more dangerous than that of borrowing money; for when money can be had in this way, repayment is seldom thought of in time, the interest becomes a loss, exertions to raise it by dent of industry cease, it comes easy and is spent freely, and many things (are) indulged in that would never be thought of if (they were) to be purchased by the sweat of the brow.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Borrowing money encourages reckless spending because easy credit hides the true cost and effort of earning.
In simple terms: Easy credit leads to wasteful habits.
Avoid debt; value hard work.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal budgeting
- business investment
- consumer purchasing
- government fiscal policy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does easy credit affect your spending decisions?
- What strategies keep you disciplined with debt?
Credit can enable growth when managed wisely, but the quote ignores productive borrowing.