"Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing"
- Doris Lessing
About this Quote
Doris Lessing's quote, "Loaning is very little better than asking; simply as loaning with interest is very little better than stealing," offers an intriguing review of financial practices and social worths. At its core, the declaration draws into question the principles of both loaning and loaning, advising a reflection on dependency, responsibility, and exploitation in financial deals.
The very first part of the quote, "Borrowing is not much better than asking," suggests that obtaining locations the debtor in a position of vulnerability and dependency, comparable to asking. When one borrows, they are implicitly acknowledging an absence or deficit that can not be filled without external assistance. This act, while often required, can deteriorate a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency. In a wider context, Lessing may be critiquing a social system where access to important resources is contingent upon one's capability to borrow, highlighting the unequal circulation of wealth and chance.
The second part, "providing with interest is not much better than taking," challenges the morality of charging interest on loans. In charging interest, loan providers profit from the borrower's need, perhaps exploiting their scenario for financial gain. Lessing corresponds this practice with taking, suggesting that extracting more than what was originally given is inherently unjustified. This viewpoint encourages a reevaluation of the current capitalist system, where lending and interest are fundamental, often contributing to cycles of debt and economic variation.
Jointly, Lessing's quote highlights a deep apprehension towards financial systems that prioritize profit over fairness and empathy. It promotes for a more equitable financial model, advising people and organizations to consider the human effect behind numbers and transactions. By equating loaning to begging and interest-based lending to theft, Lessing require a society where access to resources does not force people into dependence or exploitation, promoting a vision of economic interactions rooted in shared respect and equity.
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