“He that goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
It means that borrowing money or resources often leads to trouble, stress, or unhappiness. It serves as a warning against taking on debt because it can bring about financial burdens and worries.
Tone Cautionary
Where it comes from
The proverb dates back to at least the 16th century and is attributed to Thomas Tusser in his work Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry (1573). It was later popularized by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard’s Almanack in the 18th century.
Examples
- After maxing out his credit cards, he understood that ‘he that goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing.’
- His grandmother always reminded him that ‘he that goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing’ to discourage unnecessary loans.
- Considering the proverb ‘he that goes a-borrowing, goes a-sorrowing,’ she decided to avoid taking out a loan for the new car.
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