English Proverbs – NEITHER A BORROWER NOR A LENDER BE

Proverb Expansion

NEITHER A BORROWER NOR A LENDER BE

There is an old saying ‘if you want to make a friend a foe lends him some money’. A man borrows when he faces difficulty in his life.  Who knows if he will win over his problems? If he does well and good. He may return the money and there may not be any bickering between the two friends. But doesn’t always happen.

To surmount the difficulties is not easy. Till he is in a position to returns the money your friend will try to avoid you. You gradually start losing a friend. Money is an evil agent that affects the mental health of both.

Who knows whether the borrower is genuine or his needs are superfluous. He may be just trying to squeeze money from anyone he can dupe. Kindness too sometimes proves a curse. You may extend your help even for false need and false promises. You part with your hard earned money. If it doesn’t come back you are poorer twice. You lose your friend you lose your money. While the borrower loses the sympathy of all those who know his tricks the lender looks at all with suspicion. He loses faith in goodness the very essence of life. it is of course wise neither to borrow nor to lend