浜はまの真砂まさごは尽つきるとも世よに盗ぬす人びとの種たねは尽つきまじ

expression

the sand on the beach may disappear, but the makings of thieves never shall

A proverbial expression from the death poem of Ishikawa Goemon, meaning that while natural things may run out, the supply of thieves is inexhaustible. Used as a quotation, not in everyday conversation.

• 「浜はまの真砂まさごは尽つきるとも世よに盗ぬす人びとの種たねは尽つきまじ」という言こと葉ばは、石川五右衛門いしかわごえもんの辞じ世せいの句くとして知しられている。

  The phrase 'the sand on the beach may disappear, but the makings of thieves never shall' is known as the death poem of Ishikawa Goemon.