---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And that is called paying the Dane-geld…"
description: "\"And that is called paying the Dane-geld; but we've proved it again and again, that if once you have paid him the Dane-geld you never get rid of the Dan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/rudyard-kipling-527_paid_and-that-is-called-paying-the-dane-geld_671748.png"
---

#  And that is called paying the Dane-geld; but we've proved…

![“And that is called paying the Dane-geld; but we've proved it again and again, that if once you have paid him the Dane-geld you never get rid of the Dane.” quote by Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/rudyard-kipling-527_paid_and-that-is-called-paying-the-dane-geld_671748.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/rudyard-kipling-527_paid_and-that-is-called-paying-the-dane-geld_671748.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d5/rudyard-kipling-527_paid_and-that-is-called-paying-the-dane-geld_671748.png)

> “And that is called paying the Dane-geld; but we've proved it again and again, that if once you have paid him the Dane-geld you never get rid of the Dane.”

[Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/)

## About This Quote

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

Paying a bribe creates a dependency that is hard to escape.

**In simple terms:** Bribes bind you forever.

Key Takeaway

Avoid short-term gains that create long-term liabilities.

Themes

corruption dependency power ethics

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

- business negotiations
- political lobbying
- personal relationships
- government contracts

Key Concepts

political economy moral hazard social contract

Questions to Reflect On

- What costs have you incurred for short-term advantage?
- Can you break a cycle of dependency?

A Different Perspective

Such arrangements may seem beneficial initially but erode trust and autonomy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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