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Borrower Quote by William Shakespeare

“Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true, 85 And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!” quote by William Shakespeare
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““Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true,   85 And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: Hamlet, Act I, Scene 3 (adapted)

Advice to remain true to oneself, avoid financial entanglements, and maintain integrity in relationships.

In simple terms: Be honest, avoid borrowing/lending, stay true to yourself.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize integrity and self‑trust over external pressures.

Themes

integrity self‑trust financial prudence

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • friendship
  • financial dealings
  • personal conduct

Key Concepts

moral philosophy personal ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance generosity with self‑preservation?
  • When is borrowing ethically acceptable?
A Different Perspective

Modern contexts may view borrowing/lending differently; rigid moralism can be limiting.

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