無い袖は振れぬ
ないそではふれぬ
you can't give (use) what you don't have; nothing comes from nothing; you can't shake sleeves you don't have
Meaning
- you can't give (use) what you don't have; nothing comes from nothing; you can't shake sleeves you don't have
Example sentences
無い袖は振れぬ。
You can't spend what you don't have.
ない袖は振れぬ。
An empty bag can't stand upright.