The Credit System

The whole world is carried on on the credit system; if every one were to

demand payment in hard cash, there would be universal bankruptcy. We

think as we do mainly because other people think so. But if every one

stands on every one else, what does the bottom man stand on? Faith is no

foundation, for it rests in the end on reason. Reason is no foundation,

for it rests upon faith.

The Note-Books of Samuel Butler · 第 512 / 602 题