How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
FLAVIUS:
What will this come to?
He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,
And all out of an empty coffer
Nor will he know his purse, or yield me this,
To show him what a beggar his heart is,
Being of no power to make his wishes good:
His promises fly so beyond his state
That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes
For every word: he is so kind that he now
Pays interest for 't; his land's put to their books. (1.2.190-199)
We're sensing a pattern here. It's obvious that Timon gives lavish gifts to people, and it's obvious that it's not the wisest thing to do. Here, Flavius tells us directly that Timon is already in debt, but he continues give gifts. We wonder how long that can continue… and so does Flavius. What's up with this kind of irresponsibility?
Quote #5
SEMPRONIUS:
For, in my conscience, I was the first man
That e'er received gift from him:
And does he think so backwardly of me now,
That I'll requite its last? No;
So it may prove an argument of laughter
To the rest, and 'mongst lords I be thought a fool. (3.3.17-22)
Sempronius is just about the slickest smooth talker we've ever seen. Somehow, he figures that since he was the first to receive a gift from Timon, he's the first person Timon should have asked for help—so now he's insulted and won't help Timon out at all. Did your B.S.-meter just go off the charts? Ours sure did. What's even more amazing is that Sempronius seems to think that everyone will buy this excuse. Actually, they probably will, if they even care at all.
Quote #6
FLAVIUS:
Why then preferr'd you not your sums and bills,
When your false masters eat of my lord's meat?
Then they could smile and fawn upon his debts
And take down the interest into their gluttonous maws. (3.4.50-53)
As the creditors wait at Timon's place to be paid, Flavius tells them what he really thinks about them, and it ain't pretty. He points out the two types of debt that Timon is involved in: the kind he owes to others and the kind others owe to him. No matter how you slice it, others are more in debt to him. Too bad nobody cares.