«فُوتْ عَلَى عَدُوَّكْ مَكْسِي وَلَا تْفُوتْ عَلِيهْ مَحْشِي»

The saying ranks what an enemy can see above what he cannot. A belly full of food is invisible to a hostile onlooker, but shabby clothing announces hardship and invites gloating. So the sensible person spends on looking well rather than eating well when an adversary is watching.

More broadly, it counsels concealing poverty from those who would enjoy it, not vanity for its own sake. It accepts private sacrifice, even going short on food, to keep a dignified face before rivals who judge by outward show.

Suitable when advising someone with limited means to put money into clothing or visible standing rather than food when rivals are watching, so as to deny them cause to gloat. It can also be offered as wry encouragement to keep up appearances in hard times.