The debt was the most sacred obligation incurred during the…

The debt was the most sacred obligation incurred during the war. It was by no means the largest in amount. We do not haggle with those who lent us money. We should not with those who gave health and blood and life. If doors are opened to fraud, contrive to close them. But don’t deny the obligation, or scold at its performance.

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Rutherford B. Hayes, Letter to William Henry Smith (December 19, 1881)

Other Debt Quotes

Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I thought,
Poor was the loan at best—
God! but the interest! - View Quote Details on Slight was the thing I bought,
Small was the debt I…
Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is withholden, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer. - View Quote Details on Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid…
It’s dynamite to spend future earnings. I have had a taste of it myself, and it’s mighty bitter. A debt is a debt, whether it’s margins or mortgages; and debts are all the same, no matter how you try to camouflage ‘em. You never get much out of ‘em except trouble. On the farm or in Wall Street, if you use the other fellow’s money, it costs you a lot more than it’s worth. - View Quote Details on It’s dynamite to spend future earnings. I have had a…
I’m in debt. I am a true American. - View Quote Details on I’m in debt. I am a true American.
Paying of debts is, next to the grace of God, the best means in the world to deliver you from a thousand temptations to sin and vanity. - View Quote Details on Paying of debts is, next to the grace of God,…
You must pay at last your own debt. If you are wise, you will dread a prosperity which only loads you with more. - View Quote Details on You must pay at last your own debt. If you…
Debt, grinding debt, whose iron face the widow, the orphan, and the sons of genius fear and hate; debt, which consumes so much time, which so cripples and disheartens a great spirit with cares that seem so base, is a preceptor whose lessons cannot be forgone, and is needed most by those who suffer from it most. - View Quote Details on Debt, grinding debt, whose iron face the widow, the orphan,…
Neither a borrower nor a lender be; </br>for loan doth oft lose both itself and friend, </br>and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. - View Quote Details on Neither a borrower nor a lender be; </br>for loan doth…
Solvency is maintained by means of a national debt, on the principle, “If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?” - View Quote Details on Solvency is maintained by means of a national debt, on…
Run not into debt, either for wares sold, or money borrowed; be content to want things that are not of absolute necessity, rather than to run up the score. - View Quote Details on Run not into debt, either for wares sold, or money…