«هِينْ قِرْشَكْ وَلَا تْهِينْ نَفْسَكْ»

The proverb ranks personal dignity above money. The qirsh, a specific coin, stands here for money in general rather than any precise sum. Facing a choice between parting with cash and suffering humiliation, it advises letting the money be belittled instead of oneself, since coins can be earned again but shame is harder to repair.

In practice it encourages paying one's way out of degrading situations: covering a debt before being hounded for it, or spending a little rather than begging, haggling meanly, or depending on others. It does not praise lavish spending or condemn thrift in every case; its point is that clinging to small sums can cost more in self-respect.

Suited to moments when someone hesitates to pay, even though not paying would leave them embarrassed, dependent, or exposed to insult. It works as advice or gentle reproach urging acceptance of the expense, not as praise for lavish spending or a rejection of thrift generally.