Meaning of the word "an empty sack cannot stand upright" in English

What does "an empty sack cannot stand upright" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

an empty sack cannot stand upright

US /æn ˈɛmpti sæk ˈkænɑt stænd ˈʌpˌraɪt/
UK /æn ˈɛmpti sæk ˈkænɒt stænd ˈʌpˌraɪt/
"an empty sack cannot stand upright" picture

Idiom

a person who is hungry or lacks basic necessities cannot work or function properly; also used to mean that a person without character or knowledge cannot succeed

Example:
You should eat something before the exam; an empty sack cannot stand upright.
Without proper education, he found that an empty sack cannot stand upright in the business world.