粋すいが身みを食くう

expression, godan verb (-u)

too much pleasure ruins a man; playing the dandy ruins a man

Proverb warning that excessive pursuit of stylish or pleasure-seeking behavior, especially in the context of geisha and prostitutes, leads to one's downfall. Often used in a moralistic or cautionary tone.

• 昔むかしの人ひとは「粋すいが身みを食くう」と言いって、遊あそびすぎを戒いましめた。

  People in the old days warned against too much pleasure by saying, 'Playing the dandy ruins a man.'

• 彼かれは遊ゆう郭かく通がよいで身みを持もち崩くずした。まさに粋すいが身みを食くうだ。

  He ruined himself by frequenting the pleasure quarters. It's exactly a case of 'too much pleasure ruins a man.'