Augustine of Hippo : If your neighbor owed you something, whatever it is, you will not go into his house to take the pledge: you will be left out, and the man who owes you something will take the pledge out. But if the man is in need, you will not sleep in his garment. You will return her dress without fail to the sunset and sleep in her dress, and she will bless you and have mercy before the Lord your God. It is clear that it belongs to works of mercy that does not enter the house of the neighbor who makes a loan, so as not to cause a disturbance to the debtor. But for this very reason the debtor is also advised to take out the pledge to give it to the creditor. With respect to the mandate to return the pledge to the homeless on the same day, so that he can sleep on it who does not have anywhere to sleep, it is worth noting that the creditor has not been sent to take the pledge that must be returned. the same day. And if this has been preferred to do so to force the debtor, how are you urged to return a piece of clothing that you know you will receive the same day? Has the legislator perhaps intended to do so to remind you not to forget the return and not return when you do not really have the thing? And we say this especially because he is forced by the work of mercy of his creditor towards who should not be ungrateful, if he has received the pledge in which he can sleep. The creditor, for his part, when the other has not returned the pledge, must believe that he does not have it; for that man also needs that work of mercy so that the garment is returned to him, since he has no other place to sleep. — QUESTIONS ON DEUTERONOMY, Q. 41 (tr. J. Litteral, draft)