Luck never gives; it only lends.

The proverb frames luck as a loan rather than a gift: any advantage gained by chance is temporary and may be “called in” later. It warns that relying on fortune is risky because luck is not a dependable possession; it can reverse, leaving one exposed if one has not built durable foundations (skill, savings, relationships, character). The line also implies a moral dimension: what comes easily may carry an obligation—gratitude, humility, or repayment through responsible action. Overall, it encourages treating windfalls as provisional and using them wisely rather than assuming they will last.