Who said "never a borrower or lender be"?

Asked by: Neil Reynolds MD  |  Last update: May 2, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (38 votes)

It was Shakespeare's character Polonius who advised: Never a borrower or a lender be. This does make sense; however, it is selfish never to lend items.

Does the Bible say neither a borrower or lender be?

"Neither a borrower nor a lender be" is famous advice the character Polonius gave to his son in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Scripture, however, does not forbid lending or borrowing; it forbids only the evil practice of imposing exorbitant interest, as well as unwise borrowing.

Where did the phrase "neither a borrower nor a lender" come from?

It's a quote from Shakespeare's play Hamlet. The old blowhard Polonius is giving parting advice to his son Laertes, who is going off to college: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be, for loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.” In that specific context, it's good advice.

Did Ben Franklin say Neither a borrower nor a lender be?

As Benjamin Franklin once pontificated, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be," and old Ben had it right. He probably lost a few friends along the way to discovering electricity and building a nation.

What does the Bible say about being the lender and not the borrower?

Deuteronomy 28:12-13 declares that the Lord will send rain (a necessary provision for the work of that day) and bless all the work that you do. You have been appointed to be the lender and not the borrower, the head and not the tail. God has purposed for you to be on top and never at the bottom.

Money Vocabulary

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What does God say about debt and lending?

Deuteronomy 15:6 - If you are faithful in obeying God's commandments, you will be blessed and able to lend and not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:12 - You will lend to many nations but not have to borrow. Matthew 5:42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

Why did Jesus hate money lenders?

A common interpretation is that Jesus was reacting to the practice of money changers routinely cheating the people, but Marvin L. Krier Mich observes that a good deal of money was stored at the temple, where it could be loaned by the wealthy to the poor who were in danger of losing their land to debt.

What did Mark Twain say about Benjamin Franklin?

With a malevolence which is without parallel in history, he would work all day, and then sit up nights, and let on to be studying algebra by the light of a smoldering fire, so that all other boys might have to do that also, or else have Benjamin Franklin thrown up to them.

Who wrote neither a borrower nor a lender be?

'Neither a borrower nor a lender be' is a line from Act 1 Scene 3 of Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. It is spoken in a speech by Polonius, King Claudius' chief minister. His son, Laertes is leaving for university in Paris.

What did Thomas Jefferson think of Benjamin Franklin?

Jefferson wrote that “when Dr. Franklin went to France, on his revolutionary mission, his eminence as a philosopher, his venerable appearance, and the cause on which he was sent, rendered him extremely popular.

Which Shakespeare play features the line "Neither a borrower nor a lender be"?

A line from the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare . Polonius, a garrulous old man, gives this advice to his son.

What does the Bible say about lending money?

Deuteronomy 15:8 says, “You shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” Turning to the New Testament, in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:42, Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Where did the phrase I can neither confirm nor deny come from?

Journalist Harriet Ann Phillippi requested that the CIA provide disclosure of both the Glomar project and its attempts to censor the story. In response, the CIA chose to "neither confirm nor deny" both the project's existence and its attempts to keep the story unpublished.

What does Proverbs 22:7 say?

Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” If you owe someone money, they'll control your life until you pay it back. How much could you save if you had no payments? How much could you GIVE if you had no payments? That life is possible.

What is the proverb 6 2 4?

The passage for today is Proverbs 6:2-4. It says, “If you have been ensnared by the words of your mouth or caught by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself. Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, go humble yourself and be urgent with your neighbor to free yourself.

What is Ephesians 4/29?

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

What is Horatio's famous line?

One of Horatio's most-quoted lines is his agitated commentary on the disappearing ghost, saying 'it started like a guilty thing / Upon a fearful summons' (1.1. 163-164).

What is Hamlet's most famous quote?

It has since become a standard English proverb. To be, or not to be, that is the question. Spoken by Hamlet during his soliloquy in the nunnery scene. It remains one of Shakespeare's most famous quotes.

What is the full quote of Goodnight Sweet Prince?

If it be now, 'tis not to come: if it be not to come, it will be now: if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all. The rest is silence. Goodnight, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

What was Benjamin Franklin's most famous quote?

For example, one of the most-popular sayings attributed to Franklin is, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” This appears to be a combination of two Franklin proverbs. Other famous Franklin quotes are well-documented. In “Advice To A Young Tradesman,” Franklin writes that, “Remember that time is money.”

What was John Adams opinion of Benjamin Franklin?

Even long after Franklin's death, Adams held a grudge against the man he considered a phony, glory-stealing sloth.

What does Fahrenheit 451 say about Benjamin Franklin?

Answer and Explanation:

Benjamin Franklin is mentioned in Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 as the 'first fireman. ' Franklin did invent the idea of the fire company and fire station to combat fires in Philadelphia in the 18th century, but their role was to save people's possessions, not burn them as is done in the novel.

Are Christians allowed to borrow money?

Borrowing money seems like a fact of life in our culture, unavoidable. The Bible does not prohibit borrowing. However, it has strong words of caution. “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7).

What is the greatest commandment of Jesus?

Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ' This is the first and greatest commandment.