Kanji 以 by means of, because, in view of Related words 本ほん 望もう 本望 is a noun meaning 'one's heart's desire' or 'dying wish,' often used in phrases like 本望だ (it's what I wanted). 以て瞑すべし is a full expression emphasizing contentment to the point of being ready to die.
思おも い 残のこ すことはない This phrase means 'to have no regrets' or 'nothing left undone,' while 以て瞑すべし specifically implies a state of satisfaction so profound that death would be acceptable.
Written forms 以もっ て 瞑めい すべし
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
もって 瞑めい すべし
Kana spelling of the first part; common in modern usage.
以も って 瞑めい すべし
irregular okurigana
Irregular okurigana usage; less common variant.
Etymology The expression combines 以て (もって , 'with' or 'by means of') and 瞑すべし (めいすべし ), an archaic volitional form of 瞑する (to close one's eyes, a euphemism for dying). The overall meaning is 'with this, one should close one's eyes,' i.e., one can die content.
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