«كُبْرِ الْكُومْ وَلَا شَمَاتِةْ الِاعْدَا»

The saying sets a large heap on the threshing floor, though it may be mostly straw, against a small one rich in grain. It prefers the bigger, emptier mound because a meager-looking harvest would hand one's enemies a reason to sneer and rejoice.

More broadly, it expresses a choice to protect reputation and outward appearance, even at the cost of real substance. Its focus is specifically on denying enemies the chance to gloat.

Fits remarks about choosing an impressive outward show, even a hollow one, over a modest but genuinely valuable result that rivals could mock. It may approve such pride or gently tease it, so the speaker's tone and surrounding context should guide interpretation.