He gives nothing who has nothing.

Explanation

A person who owns nothing has nothing to give — the purported gift or conveyance of another's property passes no title and confers no right on the recipient.

Where this applies

• A bankrupt man tries to give his nephew a valuable watch, but since all his assets have been claimed by creditors, he has nothing left to give.
• A squatter offers to sell someone a plot of land he does not own — having nothing, he gives nothing.
• A company with no remaining assets after liquidation attempts to distribute a bonus to employees, but there is nothing to distribute.