113Japanese proverb ことわざ
一寸の虫にも五分の魂
いっすんのむしにもごぶのたましいIssun no mushi ni mo gobu no tamashii
“Even a one-inch insect has half an inch of spirit.”
The meaning
The smallest have their dignity, their will, their courage. Despising someone for their size or rank ignores half of what they carry.
At the origin
A proverb calling for respect of the humble — and for underestimating no one.
The characters
- 一寸 issunone inch
- の noof (link)
- 虫 mushiinsect
- に
- も
- 五分
- の
- 魂
のParticleLinks two words: possession or belonging, like “of”.
In practice
Treat with regard those who hold no power over you.