How to Read “Rather than hanging your purse strings around your neck, keep them in your heart”
saifu no himo wo kubi ni kakeru yori wa kokoro ni kakeyo
Meaning of “Rather than hanging your purse strings around your neck, keep them in your heart”
This proverb teaches that frugality begins with your mindset, not with external tricks. It means that cultivating a spirit of thrift in your heart matters more than physically guarding your wallet or nervously trying to cut expenses.
True frugality isn’t about being cheap. It’s about understanding your income and position in life. It’s about developing the judgment to distinguish between what you need and what you don’t.
It means creating a mental state where you naturally avoid waste in daily life. When the spirit of frugality lives in your heart, you develop proper money sense naturally. You don’t need to consciously tighten your purse strings.
People use this proverb when advising someone about spending habits or when warning themselves against wasteful tendencies. It teaches an essential truth: examine your attitude before chasing superficial saving techniques.
Origin and Etymology
The exact source of this proverb is unclear, but it likely emerged from common life during the Edo period. People back then carried their purses on strings around their necks or waists.
Literally hanging purse strings on your body was an everyday sight. It prevented theft and kept the purse from getting lost.
What makes this saying interesting is how it uses this physical act as a metaphor for frugality. The act of physically protecting your purse by hanging it on your body overlaps with the attitude of tightening purse strings to prevent waste.
Yet this proverb argues that inner attitude matters more than such external measures.
The Edo period valued frugality as a virtue, represented by the word “shimatsu” (thrift). But at the same time, people emphasized genuine moderation in lifestyle over mere surface-level saving.
Rather than nervously guarding your wallet, you should eliminate waste in daily life and live within your means. This saying captures the folk wisdom that true richness comes from this inner spirit of frugality.
Usage Examples
- He’s downloaded several budgeting apps, but “rather than hanging your purse strings around your neck, keep them in your heart”—he should first examine his shopping habits
- Keeping a household budget matters, but as they say, “rather than hanging your purse strings around your neck, keep them in your heart”—the daily commitment to avoid waste is most important
Universal Wisdom
Humans have a curious trait. When trying to solve problems, we jump to visible solutions and quick fixes. If we can’t save money, we try changing wallets, downloading budget apps, or sealing away credit cards.
These external approaches might bring temporary results. But what truly matters is the state of mind that causes us to spend money in the first place.
This proverb has endured because it sees through this human nature. We seek comfort by starting with form. Taking some action, implementing some measure—these facts ease our anxiety.
But real change comes only when the values and habits deep in our hearts transform.
Beyond frugality, this wisdom applies to every life challenge. Want to be healthy? Examine your lifestyle before buying supplements. Want better relationships? Change your attitude before learning techniques.
Surface solutions are easy, but changing your heart is hard. That’s exactly why our ancestors left this teaching. Having the courage to face the essence—that’s the path to true solutions.
When AI Hears This
Physically hanging your purse around your neck might actually backfire. Behavioral economics experiments show that people who keep cash in visible places actually increase their impulse purchases.
Why? The human brain treats “money here now” and “savings for the future” as separate accounts. This is called mental accounting.
What’s fascinating is that physically guarding your wallet by hanging it on your neck can categorize that money as “okay to spend.” Money right in front of you gets placed in your “present account” and becomes easier to spend.
Meanwhile, keeping it in your heart means moving that money to your “future account” or “important purpose account.”
Professor Thaler’s research found that people treat the same 10,000 yen differently depending on its source. They spend “windfall 10,000 yen” three times faster than “salary 10,000 yen,” as if keeping them in separate wallets.
Physical management like hanging your purse around your neck actually reinforces the psychological classification of “money available now.”
This proverb understood, centuries before modern science proved it, that psychological account setting matters more than physical security in money management.
Lessons for Today
Modern society forces countless choices upon us. One-click shopping, automatic subscription charges, and social media constantly stimulating new desires. In this environment, this proverb’s teaching becomes even more important.
You don’t need strict budgeting rules or complex saving techniques. First, stop and reflect on what truly matters to you. Develop your own value standards in your heart.
With that foundation, you’ll naturally ask yourself “Do I really need this?” when facing temptation.
This teaching applies beyond money to how you use time and energy. Rather than relying on surface solutions, hold a firm axis inside yourself. That’s the secret to living without being pushed around.
You can start today. When about to buy something, pause and ask your heart. That small habit will eventually root the spirit of frugality in your heart and enrich your life.
Comments