"NEITHER A LENDER…"

The Merchant ofVenice

Cymbeline

Henry VI

Old Polonius wasn't the onlycharacter from William Shakespeare'splays who was quick with a choice bitof financial advice. If you think diversificationmakes good fiscal sense, sodoes Antonio in . "My ventures are not to 1 bottomtrusted," the shrewd businessmansays, "nor to 1 place." On theother hand, be wary; today's WallStreet analysts might be taking theircue from Cloten in . "Thereis gold for you," he says. "Sell me yourgood report." If those cautionarywords give you pause, you mightwant to follow the lead of Hume in, who advises that, "A craftyknave does need no broker."