About this quote

Borrowing feels like breathing room, yet each loan tightens its grip a little more. The warning is aimed at an economy — and a household — that runs on tomorrow's money, where interest quietly compounds until repayment, not living, sets the terms of every day.

When to use it

• A young couple stacking store cards until minimum payments swallow each paycheck
• A small farmer borrowing every planting season and never clearing last year's loan
• A city funding daily expenses with fresh debt until interest crowds out schools and roads