# Is “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” in the Bible?

> No. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/neither-a-borrower-nor-a-lender-be
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

It is Shakespeare. Scripture warns that the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7) but praises the person who is gracious and lends (Psalm 37:26).

Not in the Bible. Origin: Polonius, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

## What the Bible says instead

> The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
>
> — [Proverbs 22:7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/22#7) (Lumin Translation)

> All day long he is gracious and lends, and his offspring turn out to be a blessing.
>
> — [Psalm 37:26](https://www.lumin.faith/read/psalm/37#26) (Lumin Translation)

> Owe no one anything except to love one another, for whoever loves another person has fulfilled the law.
>
> — [Romans 13:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/13#8) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” in the Bible?

No. “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” is not in the Bible. It is Shakespeare. Scripture warns that the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7) but praises the person who is gracious and lends (Psalm 37:26).

### Where does “Neither a borrower nor a lender be” come from?

Polonius, in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Proverbs 22:7, Psalm 37:26, Romans 13:8. It is Shakespeare. Scripture warns that the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7) but praises the person who is gracious and lends (Psalm 37:26).

## More

- [Is “What goes around comes around” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/what-goes-around-comes-around.md)
- [Is “Bible” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/bible.md)
- [Is “Dog” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/dog.md)
- [Is “Hell” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/hell.md)
- [Is “Religion” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/religion.md)
- [Is “Unicorn” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/unicorn.md)
- [Is “Money is the root of all evil” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/money-is-the-root-of-all-evil.md)
- [Is “Pride goes before a fall” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/pride-goes-before-a-fall.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)