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
Meanings
- Expression tread on a worm and it will turn; even a tiny bug will defend itself; even the weakest and smallest beings have their own wills, so do not make light of them
Kanji
- 一 one. Read as イチ.
- 寸 inch. Read as スン.
- 虫 insect. Read as むし.
- 五 five. Read as いつ.
- 分 part
- 魂 soul. Read as たましい.