This Proverb says, “Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become surety for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take your bed from under you.”
What does it mean to become surety for a debt? The dictionary defines it as taking responsibility for another person’s payment of a debt. Becoming a surety or guarantee for another debt is risky business, especially if you do not have extra money to cover the debt. You place yourself at risk for losing something that may be essential for your existence. We cannot control another person’s behavior or performance. Therefore, we cannot be assured that the other person will actually pay the debt. We can only control our own behavior and performance.
Parents may sometimes become surety for the debts of their children. However, they will only do this if they have the means to repay the debt. Again, they cannot control their children’s behavior or performance.
There are many ways that we can help others without putting our own existence at risk. However, as this Proverb says, it is not wise to put ourselves or our families at risk by guaranteeing another person’s debt.
