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Our public credit is good, but the abundance of paper has…

“Our public credit is good, but the abundance of paper has produced a spirit of gambling in the funds, which has laid up our ships at the wharves as too slow instruments of profit, and has even disarmed the hand of the tailor of his needle and thimble. They say the evil will cure itself. I wish it…” quote by Thomas Jefferson
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“Our public credit is good, but the abundance of paper has produced a spirit of gambling in the funds, which has laid up our ships at the wharves as too slow instruments of profit, and has even disarmed the hand of the tailor of his needle and thimble. They say the evil will cure itself. I wish it may; but I have rarely seen a gamester cured, even by the disasters of his vocation.”

Thomas Jefferson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Excessive credit fuels speculation, slowing real trade and harming craftsmen; crises rarely self‑correct without intervention.

In simple terms: Too much credit leads to gambling and stalled commerce.

Key Takeaway

Regulate credit to prevent speculation.

Themes

economics speculation trade regulation

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

economic historical

When to use this quote

  • banking policy
  • government oversight
  • economic reform
  • craftsmen livelihoods

Key Concepts

credit cycles market bubbles artisan impact

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can policy curb speculative credit?
  • What safeguards protect small producers?
A Different Perspective

Self‑correction is unlikely without policy action.

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