Art Quote by Walter Raleigh
“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
Source Treatise: The Discoverie of the Large, 1584
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.
Set boundaries, assess risk before helping.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- loaning money
- business deals
- personal relationships
- charitable giving
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you differentiate between helping a friend and a stranger?
- How do you protect yourself financially?
Friends may exploit trust; strangers may lack loyalty.