- 1. [exp] better starve than fatten on ill-gotten wealth; don't lower yourself to unjust acts, no matter how desperate you are; refraining to drink from a spring called Robber's Spring even if thirsty (proverb)
Kanji in this word
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渇
thirst, dry up, parchOn: カツ (katsu)Kun: かわ.く (kawa.ku)
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盗
steal, rob, pilferOn: トウ (tou)Kun: ぬす.む (nusu.mu)、 ぬす.み (nusu.mi)
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泉
spring, fountainOn: セン (sen)Kun: いずみ (izumi)
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水
waterOn: スイ (sui)Kun: みず (mizu)、 みず- (mizu-)
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飲
drink, smoke, takeOn: イン (in)、 オン (on)Kun: の.む (no.mu)、 -の.み (-no.mi)
Example Sentences
渇しても盗泉の水は飲まず。
katsu shitemo tousen no mizu ha noma zu .
The eagle does not catch flies.