📖 Meaning
Reluctance to spend or give away what one has; being miserly in both outgoing and incoming matters. It describes someone who is petty and ungenerous, especially in positions where they control resources meant for others.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the Analects of Confucius (《论语·尧曰》), where Confucius lists the failings of rulers and officials. He states that when giving to people, showing stinginess in dispensing what should be given is the fault of a petty clerk (有司), not a virtuous leader. The term thus criticizes officials who hoard or under-distribute relief and resources they are entrusted to manage.
💡 Example Usage
当此灾荒之际，有司若出纳之吝，不与赈济，百姓何以存活？
In times of famine, if officials are stingy with relief supplies and refuse to distribute aid, how are the people to survive?
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 出纳之吝
- Pinyin: chū nà zhī lìn
- Literal Translation: 出 (out) 纳 (in) 之 (of) 吝 (stinginess)
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4