The Volokh Conspiracy
Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent
"Bis Dat Qui Cito Dat"
Just heard that one: "[H]e gives twice who gives promptly : payment rendered promptly is worth twice as much," though I take it that this can be used for anything (e.g., requested advice) and not just payment. Apparently stems from Publilius Syrus, though perhaps it was old when he was young.
Thanks to Fred Triem for passing this along.
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OK then ! Let’s see if the IRS are buying that one.
Is this some kind of dig at Trump?
That’s the motto of DC’s Alfalfa Club! Also, during WWII Stalin asked Churchill for more war stuff. Churchill, whose country had early supplied Stalin lots, cabled back: “bis dat qui cito dat”! The Kremlin likely puzzled.
I'm not sure if this is the specific reference but see #16-17 here:
https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/correspondence/01/41.htm
I'm suspecting a "Deez Nutz" hidden in that Latin
The flip side is true as well: I know folks running businesses whose quotes vary enormously - like a couple of hundred per cent - based on how slow/difficult customers are about paying after successful completion. The story I hear is that as companies grow they eventually develop an accounts payable department, and those get the notion that they can help the bottom line by slow walking payments. That can backfire.
I watched a YouTube video about replacing the Washington Bridge in Rhode Island. First the state's lawyers sent letters to all the bridge contractors in the state threatening to sue them if they had any involvement in the defective bridge that needed to be replaced. Then the state put the bridge replacement out to bid. Nobody bid. Who wants a litigious customer? The comments were full of stories about problem clients who got much higher bids than easy-to-work-with clients.
When I submit a net 30 invoice to a certain business, I know they will wait the full 30 days before sending a check. Mailing a check adds a few more days before the money is withdrawn from their account.
I only lose 2% for demanding my invoice be paid in 10 days instead of the usual 30 days.