Samuel Johnson: Debts as Danger
on Sunday, May 16, 2021Samuel Johnson Money Quote saying small debts accumulate to make a larger debt and can cause more damage. Samuel Johnson said:
“Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely be escaped without a wound: great debts are like cannon; of loud noise, but little danger” — Samuel Johnson
Share the Samuel Johnson Money quote image above on your site:
Short Link to this Quote:
In this quote, Samuel Johnson is drawing a comparison between different types and amounts of debt. He suggests that many small debts, like small gunshot, constantly create minor financial pressures and obligations that are difficult to avoid being impacted by altogether.
However, Johnson implies that a single massive debt, like a loud cannon, creates much commotion and stress in the moment but may present less long-term risk if one is able to eventually pay it off.
Overall, the quote conveys Johnson’s perspective that numerous minor debts can be more chronically financially damaging than facing a single large debt, which offers the possibility of full repayment or resolution in time.
Birthday: September 18, 1709 – Death: December 13, 1784