武ぶ士しは食くわねど高たか楊よう枝じ

expression

the samurai glories in honourable poverty; keep a stiff upper lip

Proverb meaning that a samurai, even when too poor to eat, pretends to have just eaten by using a toothpick. Used to describe maintaining dignity and pride in the face of hardship.

• 彼かれは失しつ業ぎょう中ちゅうでも、武ぶ士しは食くわねど高たか楊よう枝じとばかりに、いつもきちんとした身みなりをしている。

  Even though he's unemployed, he always dresses neatly, as if to say 'the samurai glories in honourable poverty'.

• 武ぶ士しは食くわねど高たか楊よう枝じというが、彼かの女じょは貧まずしくても決けっして弱よわ音ねを吐はかない。

  As the proverb goes, 'the samurai glories in honourable poverty'; she never complains despite her poverty.