«مَا تِلْتِقِيشِ الْبِيضَهْ إِلَّا فِي الْخُمِّ الْعِفِشْ»

The saying cautions against letting an unpleasant appearance decide what something is worth. Its picture is homely: eggs are gathered from the soiled henhouse, whose mess comes from the many hens laying there. The dirt itself is not praised; it is simply a sign of where the prize is, so turning away from it means going without.

Carried over to people, places, or things in general, the proverb asks the listener to look past an unattractive outside before passing judgment. Something that seems grubby, plain, or off-putting at first glance may still hold real value, and a hasty verdict based on looks alone can cause that value to be overlooked.

Suited to moments when someone scorns a person, place, or thing because it looks shabby or unappealing. The speaker offers it as a gentle correction, reminding the listener that an ugly exterior is no reliable guide to what lies within.