Who said “Solvency is maintained by means of the national debt, on the principle, "If you will not…”?

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Ralph Waldo Emerson. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceEnglish Traits (1856)

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“Solvency is maintained by means of the national debt, on the principle, "If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?"”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
VerifiedEnglish Traits (1856) · evidenceConceit
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: English Traits (1856).

APA

Emerson, R. W. (n.d.). Solvency is maintained by means of the national debt, on the principle, "If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?" [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8239-solvency-is-maintained-by-means-of-the-national/

MLA

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Solvency is maintained by means of the national debt, on the principle, "If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?"” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8239-solvency-is-maintained-by-means-of-the-national/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Emerson, Ralph Waldo. “Solvency is maintained by means of the national debt, on the principle, "If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?"” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/8239-solvency-is-maintained-by-means-of-the-national/.

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