無ない袖そでは振ふれぬ

expression

you can't give what you don't have; nothing comes from nothing

Proverb meaning that one cannot provide or use something one lacks; often used to express that it's impossible to meet a demand when resources are absent. The literal image is of shaking sleeves one doesn't have.

• お金かねを貸かしてほしいと言いわれても、無ない袖そでは振ふれぬよ。

  Even if you ask me to lend you money, I can't give what I don't have.

• 才さい能のうがないなら、無ない袖そでは振ふれぬというものだ。

  If you don't have talent, it's a case of 'you can't shake sleeves you don't have.'