Proverb / Kotowaza
入るを量りて出ずるを為す
Live within your means by calculating your income before deciding on your expenses.
Measure what enters and perform what exits
Quick Answer
Live within your means by calculating your income before deciding on your expenses.
- Literal Image
- Measure what enters and perform what exits
- Closest Equivalent
- Cut your coat according to your cloth.
- How to Use It
- Used when discussing financial planning, household budgeting, or advising someone to avoid living beyond their financial capacity.
Meaning
This proverb teaches the importance of maintaining a balanced budget. It emphasizes that one should first determine their total income and then adjust their spending to stay within that amount, advocating for a lifestyle that matches one's actual financial situation.
Literal Image
Measure what enters and perform what exits
Equivalent Proverbs
Cut your coat according to your cloth.
Uses the image of tailoring rather than direct measuring of income.
Live within your means.
A direct modern equivalent about financial discipline.
How to Use It
Used when discussing financial planning, household budgeting, or advising someone to avoid living beyond their financial capacity.
Tone
Advisory and practical, can be used in the context of financial discipline.
Examples
入るを量りて出ずるを為すというように、家計管理の基本は収入の範囲内で生活することだ。
As the saying 'measure income to determine spending' goes, the basis of household management is living within the range of your income.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the vocabulary is relatively standard, it uses the classical attributive form 'izuru' (from the verb izu) and a specific reading for 'iru' (income/entry) that may be unfamiliar to beginners.
入る
いる / iru
entering; income
量る
はかる / hakaru
to measure; to calculate
出ずる
いずる / izuru
exiting; spending (classical form of deru)
為す
なす / nasu
to do; to perform; to carry out
Usage Profile
Usage note: applied to financial contexts; avoid using it for literal physical entry and exit of people.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse 'iru' (income) with the more 'hairu' reading for entering; in this proverb, 'iru' and 'izuru' form a specific set for income and expenditure.
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Origin
This expression is derived from the Chinese classic 'Liji' (Classic of Rites). Since ancient times, it has been valued as a fundamental principle for both national fiscal management and private household budgeting.
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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.