Observe. Think. Chat. Do. Trade. Repeat…
Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene 2.
O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.
This is from As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7, where Jaques describes the ages of human life.
This quote is from Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2, where Cassius tries to persuade Brutus to join the conspiracy against Caesar by appealing to his sense of free will.
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the ‘Bard of Avon’ (or simply ‘the Bard’).
A bard is a poet, especially one who writes or recites epic or heroic poems. This is the most common and literary meaning of the word.
A bard is also a term for a professional poet-singer or minstrel in ancient Celtic cultures, who was employed by a patron to praise their deeds and ancestors, and to preserve historical and traditional knowledge in verse.
The ‘bards’ were highly respected and influential in Gaelic and Welsh societies, and their poems were often accompanied by musical instruments such as the harp.
The phrase, ‘neither a borrower nor money lender be’ is a famous quote from William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, spoken by the character Polonius to his son Laertes. Polonius is giving his son some advice before he leaves for Paris, and he tells him not to lend or borrow money from anyone, because it can ruin friendships and lead to financial troubles.
‘Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry’.
The phrase means that we/you should be self-reliant and prudent with your money, and avoid getting into debt or lending money to others. It implies that borrowing and lending can cause resentment, dishonesty, and loss of trust between people. It also suggests that borrowing can make you lazy and wasteful, while lending can make you lose both the money and the friend. Thats’s true!
The phrase is still relevant today, as many people face the challenges of managing their finances and dealing with debt. It is often used as a proverb or a piece of wisdom to warn people against the dangers of borrowing and lending money. However, some people may disagree with the phrase, and argue that borrowing and lending can be beneficial in some situations, such as when one needs to invest in education, business, or emergency needs. They may also point out that borrowing and lending can strengthen relationships if done with honesty, generosity, and gratitude.