“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?"”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson , English Traits

English Traits (1856), reprinted in The Prose Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Vol. 2 (Boston: Fields, Osgood, & Co., 1870), p. 206 ( full text at GoogleBooks http://books.google.com/books?id=21IRAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA206)

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Ralph Waldo Emerson 727

American philosopher, essayist, and poet 1803–1882

Andrew Lokenauth (1987) Personal finance expert, writer and public speaker

Source: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/how-credit-cards-can-help-during-a-recession/

“We’re going to refinance everyone’s existing student debt, 40 million Americans have student debt. … Under my plan, you will be able to also lower your debt, move into a program to pay it back as a percentage of your income and more than that, my plan for debt-free tuition at public colleges and universities will eventually eliminate any student debt. But for people who have it, I’m going to put a date certain that after a certain number of years, you no longer have to pay anything. The government has to quit making money off of lending money to young people to get their education.”

Hillary Clinton (1947) American politician, senator, Secretary of State, First Lady

Presidential campaign (April 12, 2015 – 2016), Democratic Presidential Debate in Miami (March 9, 2016)

“991. Speake not of my debts, unlesse you mean to pay them.”

George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh-born English poet, orator and Anglican priest

Jacula Prudentum (1651)

“A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it.”

Bob Hope (1903–2003) American comedian, actor, singer and dancer

“To pay off the debt was to destroy the money supply.”

John Kenneth Galbraith (1908–2006) American economist and diplomat

Source: Money: Whence It Came, Where It Went (1975), Chapter VIII, The Great Compromise, p. 90
Context: In numerous years following the war the Federal government ran a heavy surplus. It could not pay off it's debt, retire its securities, because to do so meant there would be no bonds to back the national bank notes. To pay off the debt was to destroy the money supply.

“[A banker is] a man who will lend you money if you can prove to him that you don't need it.”

Joe E. Lewis (1902–1971) American singer and comedian

Quoted by Leonard Lyons in his column https://secure.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost_historical/doc/151726578.html, 15 October 1944

“Dear citizens. Now I plan to jump off a bridge over the Han River. I hope you give us the last chance. Please lend us 100 million won which will be used for paying back debt and seed money of our organization… I know this is shameful. I'm sorry. I'll repent for the last of my life.”

Sung Jae-gi (1967–2013) South Korean masculism activist

As quoted in "Activist's 'suicide' causes huge stir" http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2013/07/116_140028.html Koreatimes 2013.07.26

“There's not much money - if that's what you mean."
"Approximately."
"Once all the debts are paid there will be very little.”

Bernard MacLaverty (1942) Irish writer

"Nevertheless. Every little helps. The Brothers are sorely in need of it this weather."
Source: Novels, Lamb (1980), Ch.1 - p.12

“Scientology, how about that? You hold on to the tin cans and then this guy asks you a bunch of questions, and if you pay enough money you get to join the master race. How's that for a religion?”

Frank Zappa (1940–1993) American musician, songwriter, composer, and record and film producer

Concert address to audience at the Rockpile, Toronto (May 1969).

“Men seem to be born with a debt they can never pay no matter how hard they try.”

John Steinbeck book Sweet Thursday

Source: Sweet Thursday

“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?"”

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