Proverbs 17:18

The Message

It’s stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay.

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Whoever makes deals with strangers is sure to get burned; if you keep a cool head, you’ll avoid rash bargains.

Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger; beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever, you’ll end up the poorer for it.