My mummy said, never a lender or a borrower be.. that's a pretty simple but wise thing to be... as lending or borrowing compromises relationships and friendships...
She also said be true to yourself.. as in make yourself proud of your behaviour, treat people well as you have to be able to live with yourself if you don't.
I have lost count of all the books and cookware I have "loaned" to people through the years. I once "loaned" a very nice sweater to someone who was cold. It was for her trip home. I never got it back. She was some with whom I used to work and she had left the company. That was the last time I saw her! I "loaned" ski pants and a top to another co-worker who moved on with my ski clothes. I just chalk it up to fate. Once upon a time I entertained the thought of writing down on a tablet to whom I loaned what and when. It didn't last. I gave up on it. SIGH . I'm not a borrower unless someone offers to lend me something he/she thinks I would like to read. I don't ask to "borrow" stuff. If I need it I rent it or buy it. It's not the end of the world when your possessions leave and don't return. There are worse things. As for being true to myself I don't know how to be any other way. It's easier to be honest and truthful and speak up and realize that sometimes the chips may fall where you'd rather they didn't. So what? You deal with it and move on. Straight ahead. No looking back! Thank you for your reply DdbTD! :)
Agree with all you say.. lending money can be even more hassle.. I knew someone who had some very sad experiences because she was too kind and too ready to lend money... she lost a good friend because of one experience, the friend borrowed money then started to avoid the lady who lent her the money and eventually started saying bad things about the lady JUST so she wouldn't have to pay the money back.. it was the hurt of a friend turning so nasty over money that was worse. . The same lady lent a not insignificant amount to a man she cared for... the man was a selfish person, and eventually she realised that and moved on.. she asked for return of her money and the man kept ignoring her.. the lady then developed breast cancer... and returned to her original country for treatment... she had savings but not quite enough to pay for the full treatment... she asked again for the money back.... this was money that would make every difference to her treatment.. but still the man, who has a business an could well afford to give her back her money, didnt :( Lending or borrowing money sours relationships.. which is why I never do it.. I have GIVEN people money, only as much as I can afford to lose tho.. and I make sure it's given freely not lent.. I wouldn't want the predicament of asking for loaned money back.
Back in the 1940s when tuberculosis was doing a lot of damage somebody paraphrased your quote tjis way: "TB or not TB? That is congestion. Consumption be done about it? Of corpse, of corpse, but not for a lung, lung time."
So the best way not to be? I'd rather not be decrepit. I'd rather not be broke. I'd rather not be single. Hmm... I guess one out of three ain't bad.
Benedict Arnold 