George R.R. Martin: Debt or Death

Meaning of George R.R. Martin Money Quote: saying when choosing between debt or dying, best to choose debt. George R.R. Martin said:

 

 

“When the choice is debt or death, best borrow” — George R.R. Martin

This quote from George R.R. Martin suggests that when faced with a dilemma between taking on debt or facing a severe or even fatal outcome, it is prudent to choose borrowing funds over the alternative of death. Some key points in interpreting his perspective:

• Martin implies that in situations where debt is the only viable option to finance urgent needs or avert catastrophic consequences like loss of life, going into debt is the rational choice over the alternative.
• He portrays debt as a necessary risk worth taking to preserve one’s safety, health or survival when no other resources are available and the potential cost of non-action is as high as death.
• However, a balanced interpretation is that debt should still only be used judiciously as a last resort in genuine emergencies, not frivolously, as it still requires responsible repayment.
• Reasonable people can disagree on where to draw lines around using credit prudently versus recklessly depending on individual circumstances and priorities.

Overall, the quote conveys Martin’s perspective that debt is preferable to potential loss of life in a crisis. But the best analysis considers this viewpoint alongside others, recognizing that for some, limited, short-term debt can make sense in emergencies if part of a holistic financial strategy, while others prioritize avoiding debt altogether according to their means and risk tolerance. Multiple reasonable perspectives exist on these complex issues.

Benjamin Franklin: Borrow Some

Meaning of Benjamin Franklin Money Quote: saying to know what money is worth, ask someone to give you some. Benjamin Franklin said:
 

 

“If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some” — Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin’s quote suggests that the easiest way to understand how valuable money is, is to try borrowing some. When you need to borrow money, you experience the difficulties of not having enough funds and come to truly appreciate the worth of money.

Franklin is pointing out that it’s difficult to grasp the importance and usefulness of money until you find yourself in a position where you need to borrow it due to lacking your own. His quote encourages people to learn the true value of money by experiencing the challenge of borrowing it when in financial need.

Birthday: January 17, 1706 – Death: April 17, 1790

Mark: Want to Borrow Money

Mark 5:42-43 Money Quote saying that when you meet people in need, help them, give to them and lend to them if they ask. Mark 5:42-43 said:
 

 

“When people ask you for something, give it to them. When they want to borrow money, lend it to them” — Mark 5:42-43

This Bible quote from Mark is advising Christians to generously help those who ask for assistance. The context suggests Jesus is teaching his followers to show compassion to anyone in need.

However, some caution is needed in interpreting it for modern applications. While encouraging generosity, it’s unwise to lend money without consideration for ability to repay.

The overriding message seems to be that Christians should support others less fortunate, when reasonable and able to do so.

Ron Paul: Collect Tax Revenues

Ron Paul Money Quote saying the government has an income shortfall, so alternatives are to manufacture cash or borrow more. Ron Paul said:
 

 

“When the federal government spends more each year than it collects in tax revenues, it has three choices: It can raise taxes, print money, or borrow money. While these actions may benefit politicians, all three options are bad for average Americans” — Ron Paul

In this quote, Ron Paul is outlining the options available to the federal government when its spending exceeds the tax revenue it collects. The best interpretation is:

• Raising taxes places additional burden on citizens and businesses.
• Printing more money can lead to higher inflation as the money supply increases, devaluing people’s savings.
• Borrowing money grows the national debt and passes financial obligations on to future generations in the form of interest payments.

Paul believes all of these choices may benefit politicians politically but ultimately hurt average Americans either through higher costs of living, inflation, or a mounting debt load.

The overall message is that Paul views deficit spending as unsustainable and harmful, with any attempts to remedy budget shortfalls coming at the expense of ordinary taxpayers according to his analysis.

Charles Tilly: War Making States

Charles Tilly Money Quote saying any state. which makes war inevitably borrows heavily, increases taxes and soldiers from a resistant citizenry. Charles Tilly said:
 

 

“Almost all war making states borrow extensively, raise taxes, and seize the means of combat – including men – from reluctant citizens” — Charles Tilly

In this quote, Charles Tilly is describing common practices that states typically engage in to finance and fight wars. His interpretation is that nations will often take on significant debt through borrowing, increase tax revenue collection from citizens, and conscript men into military service against their wishes in order to mobilize resources for warfare.

Tilly seems to be suggesting that war making almost inevitably requires states to leverage reluctant populations and future generations through these coercive fiscal and personnel measures.

The overall message conveyed is that waging major conflicts appears to depend on states widely employing unpopular taxation, debt accumulation and human conscription to extract the “means of combat” from citizens who would prefer not to directly support or participate in the wars.

Birthday: May 27, 1929 – Death: April 29, 2008

Abraham Flexner: Borrow Billions

Abraham Flexner Money Quote saying some countries are borrowing for wars but few borrow for educational purposes. Abraham Flexner said:
 
 

 

“Nations have recently been led to borrow billions for war; no nation has ever borrowed largely for education… no nation is rich enough to pay for both war and civilization. We must make our choice; we cannot have both” — Abraham Flexner

In this quote, Abraham Flexner is drawing a comparison between the massive spending on warfare versus investment in education. His interpretation is that while countries are willing to take on enormous debts to fund wars and military campaigns, they have never shown the same commitment to borrowing vast sums long-term to develop education systems and advance civilization.

Flexner seems to be arguing that nations must consciously choose to prioritize either war spending or education/civilization spending, since devoting large resources to both simultaneously is not financially sustainable or prudent. His view is that full support cannot be given to both war and education aims given budget constraints, so societies must decide which goal deserves greater long-term backing and commitment through public funds.

The overall message conveyed is that higher education requires more robust and consistent long-term financial support relative to short-term military spending priorities.

Abraham Flexner background:

Abraham Flexner was an American educator and educational reformer in the early 20th century. He is best known for his 1910 report that criticized the standards of medical education in the United States and Canada, leading to major reforms. Flexner advocated for establishing high-quality professional education and helped advance the modern research university model.

In the quote, Flexner is drawing on his background in education reform to argue that countries prioritize funding wars over long-term investment in developing strong education systems, and that devoting massive resources to both goals simultaneously is unsustainable given budget constraints.

Birthday: November 13, 1866 – Death: September 21, 1959

Charles Browne: Within Our Means

Charles Farrar Browne Money Quote saying happiness is using any means necessary to live within our means. Charles Farrar Browne said:
 

 

“Let us all be happy, and live within our means, even if we have to borrow the money to do it with” — Charles Farrar Browne

This Charles Farrar Browne quote is using sarcasm to criticize the idea of living within one’s means by taking on debt. While living within one’s means and being happy seems admirable, the quote points out the flawed logic of borrowing money in order to achieve that.

It suggests that borrowing to support one’s spending habits is ultimately unsustainable and will likely lead to financial problems down the road.

The quote implies that truly living within one’s means requires spending at a level consistent with one’s actual income and savings, not an artificially inflated level supported by taking on new debt.

So it’s using humor and irony to caution against adopting an unrealistic financially lifestyle through borrowing.

Phyllis McGinley: Bloodhound Loans

Phyllis McGinley Money Quote saying once you borrow my stuff, I’ll probably forget them, but you won’t avoid me if you borrow my books and forget to return them. Phyllis McGinley said:
 

 

“Borrow my umbrellas, my clothes, my money, and I will likely not think of them again. But borrow my books and I will be on your track like a bloodhound until they are returned” — Phyllis McGinley

In this quote, McGinley is contrasting how she views the lending of different items. She suggests that if someone borrows “umbrellas, clothes, [or] money” from her, those are more disposable items and she likely “will not think of them again” once lent.

However, if someone borrows one of her “books,” she will doggedly pursue them like a “bloodhound” to get the books returned. This implies that books hold a special significance and value to her.

While she may not mind parting with other possessions temporarily, her books are very important and not something she lends out casually without ensuring their return. Overall, the quote highlights how McGinley treasures her books above other belongings.

Birthday: March 21, 1905 – Death: February 22, 1978