Wilt thou seal up the avenues of ill? Pay every debt as if God wrote the bill.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote suggests that fulfilling moral obligations, like paying debts, is a way to prevent suffering.
- In plain terms
- Pay your debts honestly to avoid causing harm to others.
- What can you take from it?
- Meet your obligations to prevent harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you honor your word?
- What does honesty cost?
Another view
It simplifies complex financial situations where debt is unavoidable.
More from Ralph Waldo Emerson
He thought it happier to be dead, To die for Beauty, than live for bread.
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Permalink to quote #226 Fear not, then, thou child infirm, There's no god dare wrong a worm.
Permalink to quote #223
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