一いっ銭せんを笑わらう者ものは一いっ銭せんに泣なく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

take care of the penny; he who makes fun of one sen will cry at one sen

Proverb meaning that even a small amount of money should not be taken lightly; wasting or ridiculing a tiny sum can lead to regret when you need it. The literal reference is to the old Japanese sen (1/100 of a yen).

See also: 一円を笑う者は一円に泣く · 一銭

• 一いっ銭せんを笑わらう者ものは一いっ銭せんに泣なくというから、小こ銭ぜにも大たい切せつにしなさい。

  They say 'he who makes fun of one sen will cry at one sen,' so take good care of your small change.