Borrowing Quote by Walter Raleigh
“Never spend anything before thou have it; for borrowing is the canker and death of every man's estate.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Discoveries of the New World, 1584
Spending before earning leads to debt, which destroys wealth and stability.
In simple terms: Borrow before you earn harms wealth.
Key Takeaway
Avoid debt, spend after earning.
Themes
finance
responsibility
wealth
Mood
cautious
pragmatic
Type
advice
warning
When to use this quote
- personal budgeting
- business cash flow
- loan decisions
Key Concepts
debt
risk management
Questions to Reflect On
- How does debt affect long‑term stability?
- When is borrowing justified?
A Different Perspective
Borrowing can sometimes be strategic for growth.
![“[It is a basic principle of a tyrant] to unarm his people of weapons, money and all means whereby they resist his power.” quote by Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/85b/walter-raleigh-4068_basic-principles_it-is-a-basic-principle-of-a-tyrant-to-u_111241.jpg)
![“When the fountains of government [borrowing] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the state was forced to check the extension of bureaucracy and to put a stop to public works, then and then only did the Italians realize what it…” quote by John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/908/john-t-flynn-18493_abundance_when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowi_2663.jpg)
