The Moral of Lending to Others

Mathan brought a chest as long as his arm, covered with red pigskin and ornamented with bronze designs. From each person to whom I lend, I do exact a token for my token chest, to remain there until the loan is repaid. When they repay I give back, but if they never repay it will always remind me of one who was not faithful to my confidence. The safest loans my token box tells me are to those whose possessions are of more value than the one they desire. They own lands, or jewels, or camels, or other things which could be sold to repay the loan. Others are those who have neither property nor assured earning capacity. In another class are