Meaning

Neither a borrower nor a lender be

Categorised in: Phrases coined by Shakespeare - Hamlet ·135 Phrases coined by William Shakespeare

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Neither a borrower nor a lender be'?

Literal meaning.

Woe is me
Woe is me - caption

What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be’?

From Shakespeare’s Hamlet, 1602:

LORD POLONIUS:
Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

See other phrases and sayings from Shakespeare.

Historical trend

“Neither a borrower nor a” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1800–2020).

180018201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Neither a borrower nor a