“My history of lending money from banks is that they want to know the ins and outs of the backside of a duck.”

“Banks lend by creating credit. They create the means of payment out of nothing.”

“Money doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ve made a lot of money, but I want to enjoy lie and not stress myself building my bank account. I give lots away and live simply, mostly out of a suitcase in hotels. We all know that good health is much more important.”

“No one has a natural right to the trade of a money lender, but he who has the money to lend. Let those then among us who have a moneyed capital and who prefer employing it in loans rather than otherwise, set up banks and give cash or national bills for the notes they discount. Perhaps, to encourage them, a larger interest than is legal in the other cases might be allowed them, on the condition of their lending for short periods only.”

“People who advocate simplicity have money in the bank; the money came first, not the simplicity. (from inside the cover)”

“Capital has just become completely disconnected from the people. Labour was born in the world to resist the domination of capital. That’s our thing. So we say that five percent of the bailout should be used to recapitalise local banks. It’s our money anyway. Those local banks should only lend in the area that they’re in. Germany’s a very successful, a very, very successful example of how this can work.”

“If you have money, don't lend it at interest. Rather, give [it] to someone from whom you won't get it back."”

“Fresh out the bank, it's the Birdman Junior, money too long. Teachers, put away your rulers.”

“Everybody likes a kidder, but nobody lends him money.”

“A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.”