Meaning & Analysis
Those who already possess much will continue to gain more, those with little will lose even what they have, and those with nothing will remain without possessions.
Insights
Accumulation and Inequality
The proverb comments on the self-reinforcing nature of wealth and poverty, where the rich tend to become richer and the poor poorer, highlighting structural inequality in society.
Law of Increase and Deprivation
It reflects a natural or social law in which abundance breeds further abundance, while lack perpetuates itself—a cycle found in economics, opportunity, and even social capital.
Hopelessness of Destitution
For those with 'right nought' (nothing at all), the proverb underscores the bleak reality of total exclusion—once at the bottom, escape is nearly impossible.
Historical Symbolism
The theme resonates with biblical motifs, particularly the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:29), as well as classical and medieval observations on the consolidation of power and resources. Early modern commentators frequently noted the entrenched stratification of society.
Literary and Cultural Resonance
Related proverbs, such as 'Nothing can come of nothing,' reinforce the fatalistic perspective that those without resources lack even the means to improve their lot. Literature and folklore often use such aphorisms to critique social systems or evoke sympathy for the disadvantaged.
Psychological Dimensions
The proverb recognizes psychological phenomena like cumulative advantage ('the Matthew effect'), where initial fortune or misfortune snowballs over time, shaping not just material outcomes but also self-esteem and social status.
Rhetorical Devices
Repetition
The structure repeats the conditional phrase ('he that has...') to create rhythmic emphasis and reinforce the inevitability of the pattern.
Antithesis
It sharply contrasts 'plenty,' 'a little,' and 'right nought,' making the gulf between social classes vivid and memorable.
Climax
The sequence progresses from abundance to nothing, heightening the proverb's sense of inevitability and despair.
Transcription
Quotations
He that nought hath nought shal haue.
(of goode)
(of good)
(He that hath plentie, shall haue more; he that hath but little, shall haue lesse; and he)
He that hath little shall have less.
He that hath plenty of goods shall have more.
(of good)
[As in 1639 Cl., p. 125]
(of good and but little)
He that hath but little, he shall have less, And he that hath right nought, right nought shall possess.
Cross References
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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