Budgets Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“It is a wise rule and should be fundamental in a government disposed to cherish its credit, and at the same time to restrain the use of it within the limits of its faculties, "never to borrow a dollar without laying a tax in the same instant for paying the interest annually, and the principal within a given term; and to consider that tax as pledged to the creditors on the public faith."”
About This Quote
Source Letter: to James Madison, 1798
Governments should only borrow money if they simultaneously raise taxes to cover interest and principal, ensuring fiscal responsibility.
In simple terms: Borrow only with a plan to repay via taxes.
Key Takeaway
Tie borrowing to clear repayment plans.
Themes
fiscal responsibility
government finance
taxation
budgeting
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
economic
When to use this quote
- national budgeting
- legislative debates
- public finance planning
Key Concepts
public debt
budget constraints
economic policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards ensure responsible borrowing?
- How can citizens hold governments accountable for debt?
A Different Perspective
Political pressures may ignore long‑term debt impacts.
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