Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
Expansion of Ideas — For School & College Students
One of the characters in a play by Shakespeare gives this advice to his son who is about to travel abroad: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." In other words, one should neither borrow money from another, nor should one lend money to another. Simply put, one should be careful in money matters. When you give money to someone, you are sure to spoil your relationship with that person, because in all likelihood they are not going to repay you the amount. Neither should you borrow. If you don’t have enough money, make do with what little you have, rather than spoiling a relationship with someone by borrowing money from them.
The advice given in this proverb is full of practical wisdom. Money often gets in the way of healthy relationships. So, don’t let money spoil your connections with people. Give your friends your time, your advice, and your practical help in their times of crisis. But don’t give them money. And expect the same treatment in return.
Difficult Words Explained
- Borrower - Someone who takes something (like money) with the intention of returning it later.
- Lender - Someone who gives something (like money) with the expectation of getting it back.
- Abroad - In or to a foreign country.
- Likelihood - The chance that something will happen; probability.
- Make do - To manage with the limited resources you have.
- Proverb - A short, well-known saying that states a general truth or piece of advice.
- Wisdom - The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
- Crisis - A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.