«قُعَادِ الْخَزَانَهْ وَلَا الْجَوَازَهْ النَّدَامَهْ»

On its surface, the saying holds that a young woman is better off remaining at home, unmarried in her small chamber (the modest inner room of a rural house, not a treasury or cupboard), than entering a union that will later fill her with remorse. Staying single is presented as the safer of two unattractive outcomes.

More broadly, it expresses the principle of choosing the lesser harm. An uneventful or limited state is preferable to a change that promises improvement but ends in lasting regret, so caution and patience outweigh rushing into a damaging commitment.

Suitable when weighing an imperfect but tolerable situation against a tempting option likely to bring regret. It extends to any choice between staying put and making a hasty, harmful commitment. Applied to someone's actual marriage prospects, it can sound judgmental or intrusive, so use it with tact.