If any friend desire thee to be his surety, give him a…
“If any friend desire thee to be his surety, give him a part of what thou hast to spare; if he press thee further, he is not thy friend at all, for friendship rather chooseth harm to itself than offereth it. If thou be bound for a stranger, thou art a fool; if for a merchant, thou puttest thy estate to learn to swim.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Beware of lending beyond means; true friends avoid harming you, while strangers may exploit you.
In simple terms: Don't overextend for friends; strangers can be risky.
Key Takeaway
Set boundaries, assess risk before helping.
Themes
friendship
trust
financial prudence
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- loaning money
- business deals
- personal relationships
- charitable giving
Key Concepts
risk assessment
social contracts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you differentiate between helping a friend and a stranger?
- How do you protect yourself financially?
A Different Perspective
Friends may exploit trust; strangers may lack loyalty.