Literal translation
better bread in the basket than a handsome man in the street
Meaning
bread in the basket is worth more than a handsome man in the street
Explanation
This proverb weighs two opposing values, the material security of bread already at home against the purely aesthetic appeal of a handsome man passing in the street, and settles the matter firmly in favor of the former. The bread basket, an image of assured subsistence and a well-provided home, outweighs the fleeting appeal of good looks, judged worthless in practical terms as long as it remains out of reach, outside, in the street. The proverb belongs to a popular tradition of domestic and matrimonial wisdom that favors the concrete solidity of a match or a situation over mere physical charm, often addressed to young women of marrying age to urge them toward a reliable match over a charming but insubstantial suitor. The comparative construction, better X than Y, is a very common proverbial pattern across languages, applied here with quiet humor through the contrast between bread, a humble food, and the handsome man, a more superficial social value.