easy come, easy go; ill-gotten gains are soon lost
Proverb meaning that money obtained without effort or through dishonest means is quickly spent or lost.
He won a fortune gambling, but easy come, easy go—he spent it all right away.
They say ill-gotten gains are soon lost, so take good care of the money you earn honestly.
悪銭 means 'ill-gotten money' or 'dirty money'; the full proverb 悪銭身に付かず expresses the idea that such money does not stay with you.
Standard kanji spelling for this proverb.
Variant with に in kana; both spellings are used.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common moral that money earned dishonestly or without effort is not retained.