Some of the most familiar quotations in the English language are found in Polonious's advice to Laertes and are considered good advice, among them, (1) "Neither a borrower nor a lender be" and (2) "To thine own self be true." He also advises his son (3) to be friendly but not overly so and (4) to listen more than speak.

As for Ophelia, she is harshly advised to "tender herself more dearly" when she confesses to her father Hamlet's affection (1.3.115). Polonius is afraid she will sleep with him, though Ophelia protests that "he has importuned me in an honorable fashion" (1.3.119-120).

As for what is says about court life, for men, they must meet standards of behavior that are above reproach. Women, well, they'd best be virgins ....

Here is Polonious' speech to Laertes (1.3.60-88)

And these few precepts in thy memory
Look thou character. Give thy thoughts no tongue,
Nor any unproportioned thought his act. [60]
Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar:
Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel,
But do not dull thy palm with entertainment
Of each new-hatched, unfledged courage. Beware [65]
Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in,
Bear't that th' opposed may beware of thee.
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice,
Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, [70]
But not expressed in fancy, rich, not gaudy,
For the apparel oft proclaims the man,
And they in France of the best rank and station
Are of a most select and generous chief in that.
Neither a borrower nor a lender be, [75]
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulleth th' edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. [80]
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!