Proverb / Kotowaza
貧者の一灯
A sincere gift from someone with little is more valuable than a large, hollow gift from someone with much.
a poor person's single lantern
Quick Answer
A sincere gift from someone with little is more valuable than a large, hollow gift from someone with much.
- Literal Image
- a poor person's single lantern
- Closest Equivalent
- The widow’s mite
- How to Use It
- Used when offering a small but sincere gift or donation, serving as a humble way to acknowledge that while the amount is small, it represents the giver's full effort.
Meaning
This proverb teaches that the sincerity behind an act or gift is more important than its material value or quantity. It suggests that a small contribution made with great effort and heart is spiritually superior to a massive donation made without any personal sacrifice.
Literal Image
a poor person's single lantern
Equivalent Proverbs
The widow’s mite
Refers to a biblical story where a small gift from a poor widow is praised as being more significant than larger gifts from the wealthy.
How to Use It
Used when offering a small but sincere gift or donation, serving as a humble way to acknowledge that while the amount is small, it represents the giver's full effort.
Tone
Humble and moralizing, reflecting a spiritual or ethical value.
Examples
少ないお金だが精一杯の寄付をした。貧者の一灯と笑わずに受け取ってほしい。
It is a small amount of money, but I have donated what I could. Please accept it as a 'poor man's lamp' without laughing.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
Uses formal kanji compounds like 貧者 (poor person) and 一灯 (one lantern), which are formal terms, though the overall meaning is idiomatic and spiritually focused.
貧者
ひんじゃ / hinja
poor person; the poor
一灯
いっとう / itto
single lantern; one light
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is primarily a humble expression for one's own gift; using it to describe someone else's small gift could be seen as rude or patronizing.
Misread Risk
Do not assume this justifies laziness in giving; it specifically emphasizes that the giver has done their absolute best despite limited means.
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Origin
This expression is derived from a Buddhist parable. It tells the story of a poor woman who offered a single lamp using oil she had saved with great effort. When a strong wind blew, the many lamps offered by wealthy people were extinguished, but her single lamp remained lit through the night.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.