He that borrows and bigs,¹ makes FEASTS and thigs,² drinks and is not dry, these three are not thrifty

Insights

Imprudent Living

The proverb criticizes wasteful, unthrifty behavior—borrowing for unnecessary building, making feasts one cannot afford, begging, and indulging in excess—contrasting these with the virtues of moderation and financial caution.

False Appearances

It warns against the temptation to present a facade of prosperity (by feasting or building) while depending on debt or charity, revealing the underlying instability of such lifestyles.

Dangers of Excess

By grouping together borrowing, begging, unnecessary feasting, and drinking without need, the proverb underscores how excess and lack of restraint lead to ruin rather than prosperity.

Historical Symbolism

Building (bigs), feasting, begging (thigs), and drinking all represent traditional measures of wealth, hospitality, and social status in Scottish and English society. The proverb cautions that when these are pursued irresponsibly—especially on borrowed means—they undermine true thrift.

Cultural and Literary Resonance

The theme appears in folk wisdom worldwide: living beyond one’s means is universally seen as folly. The proverb's rhythmic, cumulative listing echoes similar maxims about thrift and excess in moral literature.

Psychological Dimensions

The proverb touches on the psychology of display and instant gratification, where the urge to impress or indulge overrides long-term prudence, leading to cycles of dependency and insecurity.

Rhetorical Devices

Enumeration

The list structure ('borrows and bigs, makes feasts and thigs, drinks and is not dry') builds rhythmic momentum and sharpens the cumulative criticism.

Internal Rhyme and Alliteration

The pairings ('bigs/thigs', 'drinks/dry') create a memorable, almost proverbial cadence, enhancing recall and emphasis.

Antithesis

The clear opposition between the described behaviors and thrift underscores the moral lesson.