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Molise, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Animals -- Insects -- by Region -- Molise
     
      o in Italian (Dialect): Fa' i peduocchie.
      o in English: (Literally) He is doing the lice. (Meaning) He's so lazy, all he does all day is squish lice.
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Foxes -- Italy (National)
     
      o in Italian: Guardati dalla volpe, dal lupo, e dal tasso e dalle donne col culo basso.
      o in English: Watch out for the wolf, the fox, [interest] rates, and women with low rear-ends.
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Campania, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Foxes -- by Region -- Campania
     
      CAMPANIA
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Quanno chiove cco lo sole se marita la volpe.
      o in English: (Literally) When it rains when it's sunny then the fox will marry. (Meaning) It's not going to happen.
     
     
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Lions, Tigers and Wild Cats -- Italy (National)
     
      o in Italian: Meglio un giorno da eone che centa da pecora.
      o in English: Better one day as a lion than a hundred as a sheep.
     
      o in Italian: Al raglio si vede chi non e leone.
      o in English: By his [donkey] bray one can see he's no lion.
     
     
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Animals and/or Beasts (general) -- Italy (National)
     
      o in Italian: Fortunati gli animali che non leggona i giornali.
      o in English: Lucky are the animals who don't have to read the newspapers.
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Campania, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Folk Sayings or Proverbs on Animals and/or Beasts (general) -- by Region
     
     
      CAMPANIA
     
      o In Italian: (Dialect) L'ammore e bello, ma 'a famma e 'na brutta bestia.
      o in English: (Literally) Love is beautiful, but hunger is an ugly beast. (Meaning) Love is beautiful, but hunger is an ugly beast so avoid marrying in the heat of passion as it can ruin you financially.
     
     
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Piemont, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Beasts (general) -- by Region -- Piedmont
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Al mund l'e cume l'arca da Noe, tonti bes-ci e pooch oman.
      o in English: The world is like Noah's Ark -- many animals and few men.
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: The following list was taken from the book,"Polyglot Foreign Proverbs, comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations by Henry G. Bohn (London: Bell & Daldy York Streett Covent Garden, 1867) available for free at www.books.google.ca.
     
      Cats
      I. Gatto rinchiuso doventa leone.
      E. A cat pent up becomes a lion.
     
      I. Belle parole non pascon i gatti.
      E. Fair words won't feed a cat
     
      I. Che ne puo la gatta se la massaia e matta?
      E. How can the cat help it if the maid be a fool?
     
      I. A gatta che lecca spiedo non fidar arrosto.
      E. A cat that licks the spit is not to be trusted with roast meat.
     
      I. Gatta inguantata non prese mai topo.
      E. A muffled cat is not good mouser.
     
      DOGS
      I. A can che fugge, dagH, dagli.
      E. When a dog runs away, hit him hit him!
     
      I. A can cbe leccbi cenere, non gli fidar farina.
      E. The dog that licks ashes is not to be trusted with four.
     
      I. A cane scottato 1' acqua fredda pare calda.
      E. A scalded dog thinks cold water hot.
     
      I. A cattivocane corto legame.
      E. A mischievous dog must be tied short.
     
      I. Anco il cane col dimenar la coda si guadagna le spese.
      E. Even the dog gets bread by wagging his tail.
     
      I. Can che morde non abbaia iu vano.
      E. The dog that bites does not bark in vain.
     
      I. Can dell' ortolano non mangia la lattuga, e non la lascia mangiare agli altri.
      E. The gardener's dog does not eat lettuce and will not let others eat it.
     
      I. Cane abbaia, e bue pasce.
      E. The dog barks and the ox feeds.
     
      I. Cane aftamato non ha paura di bastone.
      E. A hungry dog does not fear the stick.
     
      I. Cane di cucina non fu mai buon per la caccia.
      E. A kitchen dog never was good for the chase.
     
      I. Cane vecchio non abbaia indarno.
      E. An old dog does not bark for nothing.
     
      I. Can ringhioso e nou forzoso, guai alia sua pelle.
      E. The dog that is quarrelsome and not strong, woe to his hide.
     
      I. Can vecchio non s' avvezza a portar collare.
      E. An old dog does not grow used to the collar.
     
      I. Chi da del pane a' cani d' altri, spesso viene abbaiato da' suoi.
      E. He who gives bread to others' dogs is often barked at by his own.
     
      I. Chi ha de' pani, ha de' cani.
      E. He who has loaves has dogs.
     
      I. E' non mi morse mai cane ch' io non avessi del suo pelo.
      E. A dog never bit me but I had some of his hair.
     
      I. Facilmente si trova un bastone per dar ad un cane.
      E. It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.
     
      I. II can battuto dal bastone, ha paura dell' ombra.
      E. The dog that has been beaten with a stick is afraid of its shadow.
     
      I. II can che vuol mordere, non abbaia.
      E. The dog that means to bite don't bark.
     
      I. II cane scottato dall' acqua calda, ha paura della fredda.
      E. The scalded dog fears cold water.
     
      I. Non si offende mai cane gettandogli le ossa.
      E. A dog is never offended at being pelted with bones,
     
      I. Taglia la coda al cane, e' riinan cane.
      E. Cut off the dog's tail, he remains a dog.
     
      I. Tosto si trova il bastone per dare al cane.
      E. A stick is soon found to beat a dog.
     
     
      MISC
      I. A cattiva vacca Dio da corte corna.
      E. God gives a curst cow short horns.
     
      I. A buon cavallo non manca sella.
      E. A good horse never lacks a saddle.
     
      I. A buon cavallo non occorre dirgli trotta.
      E. No need to say "trot" to a good horse.
     
      I. A caval douato, non guardar in bocca.
      E. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.
     
      I. A caval donato, non si mira il pelo.
      E. Never heed the colour of a gift horse.
     
      I. A cavalli tristi o buoni, sempre porta i tuoi sproni.
      E. Be the horse good or had always wear your spurs.
     
      I. A caval magro vanno le mosche.
      E. Flies flock to the lean horse.
     
      I. Ad ogni uccello suo nido par bello.
      E. Every bird thinks its own nest beautiful.
     
      I. Ad ogni volpe piace il pollaio.
      E. Every fox likes a hen roost.
     
      I. A flume fainoso non andar a pesca.
      E. Don't go a-fishing to a famous stream.
     
      I. A gatta che lecca spiedo non fidar arrosto.
      E. A cat that licks the spit is not to be trusted with roast meat.
     
      I. A giovane soldato vecchio cavallo.
      E. An old horse for a young soldier.
     
      I. Alia pignatta che bolle non s' accostano le mosclie.
      E. Flies don't light on a boiling pot.
     
      I. Al piu triste porco vien la rneglior pera.
      E. The worst pig gets the best pear.
     
      I. Anche delle pecore contate ne mangia il lupo.
      E. Even counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.
     
      I. Anche delle volpi si pigliano.
      E. Even foxes are caught.
     
      I. Anche la mosca ha la sua collera.
      E Even a fly has its anger.
     
      I. Anche la rana morderebbe se avesse denti. E
      E. Even a frog would bite if it had teeth.
     
      I. Anch'io so nicuar le oche a bere quando piove.
      E. I too can lead the geese to water when it rains.
     
      I. Anco il cavallo si stanca, sebben ha quattro piedi.
      E. Even a horse, though he has four feet, stumbles.
     
      I. Ancor le volpi vecchie rimangono al laccio.
      E. Even old foxes are caught in the snare.
     
      I. A penna a penna si pela l'oca.
      E. Feather by feather the goose is plucked.
     
      I. Asino chehafame mangia d' ogni strame.
      E. A hungry ass eats any straw.
     
      I. Asino che ragghia poco fieno mangia.
      E. A braying ass eats little hay.
     
      I. Assai romor e poca lana, disse colui cbe tosava la porca.
      E. Great cry and little wool, as the man said who shaved the sow.
     
      I. Bel colpo non aminazzo mai uccello.
      E. A fine shot never killed a bird.
     
      I. Benche la volpe corra, i polli hanno le ale.
      E. Though the fox runs, the pullets have wings.
     
     
      I. Bue vecchio, solco diritto.
      E. An old ox makes a straight furrow.
     
      I. Buon cavallo e mal cavallo vuole sproni; buon a femmina e
      malafemmina vuolbastoni.
      E. A good horse and a bad horse need the spur;
      a good woman and a bad woman need the stick.
     
      I. Buon cavallo nou ba bisogno de'sproni.
      E. Never spur a willing horse.
     
      I. Cade un cavallo, clie ba quattro gambe.
      E. A horse falls though he has four legs.
     
      I. Cadono le miglior pere in bocca a' porci.
      E. The best pears fall into the pigs' mouths.
     
      I. Calcio di cavalla non fece mai male a poledro.
      E. The kick of a mare never hurt a colt.
     
      I. Cavallo che corre non ha bisogno di sproni.
      E. Spur not a willing horse.
     
      I. Cavallo ingrassato tira calci.
      E. A horse grown fat tricks.
     
      I. Cavallo magro non tira calci.
      E. A lean horse does not kick.
     
      I. Cavallo seappato da se si gastiga.
      E. A runaway horse punishes himself.
     
      I. Cerca cinque piedi al montone.
      E. He is in search of a ram with five feet.
     
      I. Chi asino e, e cervo esser si crede, al saltar del fosso se ne avvede.
      E. He who is an ass and thinks himself a stag, finds his mistake when he comes to leap the ditch.
     
      I. Chi colomba si fa, il falcon se la mangia.
      E. He who makes himself a dove is eaten by the hawk.
     
      I. Chi della serpe e punto, ha paura della lucertola.
      E. He who has been stung by a serpent is afraid of a lizard.
     
      I. Chi divide il miele con 1' orso ha la minor parte.
      E. Who divides honey with the bear, will be like to get the lesser share.
     
      I. Chi dorme con cani si leva con pulci.
      E. Who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.
     
      I. Cbi ha buon cavallo in stalla, puo andare a piedi.
      E. He who has a good horse in his stable may go on foot.
     
     
      I. Chi ha il lupo per compagno, porti il cane sotto il mantello.
      E. Who makes the wolf his companion should carry a dog under his cloak.
     
      I. Chi ha un sol porco, facilmente l'ingrassa.
      E. He that has but one pig easily fattens it.
     
      I. Chi non pud batter il cavallo, batte la sella.
      E. Who cannot beat the horse let him beat the saddle.
     
      I. Chi piglia l'anguilla per la coda, e la donna per la parola, puo
      dir che non tiene niente.
      E. Who takes an eel by the tail and a woman at her word, may say he holds nothing.
     
      I. Chi piglia leone in assenza, teme la talpa in presenza.
      E. Who takes a lion at a distance fears a mole present.
     
      I. Chi si fa pecorella, i lupi la mangiano.
      E. Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you.
     
      I. Chi si lascia mettere in spalla la capra, indi a poco e sforzato a portar la vacca.
      E. He who lets the goat be laid on his shoulders is soon after forced to carry the cow.
     
      I. Chi vive tra iupi, impara a urlare.
      E. He who lives among wolves learns to howl.
     
      I. Chi vuol aminazzar il suo cane, basta che dica ch'e arrabbiato.
      E. He who wants his dog killed has only to say he's mad.
     
      I. Chi vuol andar salvo per lo mondo, bisogna aver occhio di
      falcone, orecchio d'asino, viso di scimia, bocca di porcello, spalle di camello, e gambe di cervo.
      E. To go safely through the world you must have the eye of a falcon,
      the ear of an ass, the face of an ape, the mouth of a pig,
      the shoulders of a camel, and the legs of a deer.
     
      I. Chi vuol dar al cane, trova facilmente il bastone.
      E. He that would beat his dog can easily find a stick.
     
      I. Coda d'asino non fa crivello.
      E. An ass's tail will not make a sieve.
     
      I. Con la volpe convien volpeggiare.
      E. With the fox one must play the fox.
     
      I. Corte Romana non ruol pecora senza lana.
      E. The court of Rome likes not sheep without wool.
     
      I. Corvi con corvi non si cavan gli occbi.
      E. Ravens do not peck out ravens' eyes.
     
      I. Dal conto sempre manca il lupo.
      E. The wolf is always left out of the reckoning.
     
      I. Dallo stesso fiorl'ape cava il miele, e la vespe il fiele.
      E. From the same flower the bee extracts honey and the wasp gall.
     
      I. Dall'unghia si conosce il leone.
      E. The lion is known by his claws.
     
      I. Di notte tutti i gatti sono neri.
      E. By night all cats are black.
     
      I. Dopo cbe i cavalli sono presi, serrar la stalla.
      E. To lock the stable after the horses are taken.
     
      I. Dove ci manca la pelle di leone, convien cucirvi cuoi di volpe.
      E. Where the lions skin falls short, piece it out with that of the fox.
     
      I. Dove non basta la pelle del leone, bisogna attaccarvi quella della volpe.
      E. Where the skin of the lion does not suffice, we must join that of the fox.
     
      I. Dove non sono i cani, la volpe e re.
      E. Where there are no dogs the fox is a king.
     
      I. Dove il lupo trovo un agnello, ve ne cerca uno novello.
      E. Where the wolf found a lamb he looks for another.
     
      I. E ardito il gallo sopra il suo letame.
      E. The cock is bold on his own dunghill.
     
      I. E facile far paura al toro dalla finestra.
      E. It is easy to threaten a bull from a window.
     
      I. Egli da le pecore in guardia al lupo.
      E. He sets the wolf to guard the sheep.
     
      I. Egli scannerebbe una cimice per bersi il sangue.
      E. He would slaughter a bug to drink its blood.
     
      I. Egli vende l'uccello in su la frasca.
      E. He sells the bird on the branch.
     
      I. E meglio aver un' ape sola che un esercito di mosche.
      E. Better have one bee than a host of flies.
     
      I. E meglio dar la lana che la pecora.
      E. Better give the wool than the sheep.
     
      I. E meglio esser capo di gatto che coda di leone.
      E. Better be the head of a cat than the tail of a lion.
     
      I. E meglio esser capo di lucertola che coda di dracone.
      E. Better be the head of a lizard than the tail of a dragon.
     
      I. E meglio esser uccel di bosco che di gabbia.
      E. Better be a bird of the wood than a bird in the cage.
     
      I. E meglio perder la sella che il cavallo.
      E. Better lose the saddle than the horse.
     
      I. E meglio sentir cantar il rossignuolo che rodere il topo.
      E. It is better to hear the nightingale sing than the mouse gnaw.
     
      I. E meglio un uccello in gabbia che cento fuori.
      E. A bird in the cage is worth a hundred at large.
     
      I. E' non si grida mai al lupo che non sia in paese.
      E. There is never a cry of "Wolf!" but the wolf is in the distinct.
     
      I. E'va piu d'un asino al mercato.
      E. There goes more than one ass to market.
     
      I. Far d'una mosca un elefante.
      E. To make an elephant of a fly.
     
      I. Feminine e galline per troppo andar si perdono.
      E. Women and hens are lost by too much gadding.
     
      I. Freuo iudorato non megliora il cavallo.
      E. A golden bit makes none the better horse.
     
      I. Gettar le marguerite ai porci.
      E. To cast pearls before swine.
     
      I. Gli stornelli son raagri perch e vanno in frotta.
      E. Starlings are lean because they go in flocks.
     
      I. Gli uomini alia moderna, e gli asini all' antica.
      E. Men after the modern fashion, and asses after the ancient.
     
      I. I cani abbaiano a chi non conoscono.
      E. Dogs bark at those they don't know.
     
      I. II lupo non e sempre lupo.
      E. The wolf is not always a wolf.
     
      I. II lupo piange la pecora, poi se la mangia. The
      E. Wolf bemoans the sheep, and then eats it.
     
      I. I lupi non si mangiano 1' un 1' altro.
      E. Wolves do not eat each other.
     
      I. In tempo di guerra ogni cavallo ha soldo.
      E. In war time there is pay for every horse.
     
      I. La fame caccia il lupo del bosco.
      E. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.
     
      I. La gatta vorrebbe mangiar pesci, ma non peseare.
      E. The cat loves fish, but is loth to wet her feet.
     
      I. La luna non cura dell' abbaiar de' cani.
      E. The moon does not heed the baying of dogs.
     
      I. La moglie e il ronzino piglia dal vicino.
      E. For a wife and a horse go to your neighbour.
     
      I. La mosca che punge la tartaruga si rompe il becco.
      E. The fly that bites the tortoise breaks its beak.
     
      I. La mosca ha la sua milza.
      E. Even a fly has its spleen.
     
      I. La peile d'asino e usa al bastone.
      E. The ass's hide is used to the stick.
     
      I. L' aquila non fa guerra ai ranocchi.
      E. The eagle does not war against frogs.
     
      I. La raua non morde perche non pu6.
      E. The frog does not bite because it cannot.
     
      I. L' asino non conosce la coda, se non quando non 1' ha piu..
      E. The ass does not know the worth of his tail till he has lost it.
     
      I. La volpe consiglia le altre a tagliarsi la coda, per aver lasciata la propria al laccio.
      E. The fox advised the others to cut off their tails, because he had left his own in the trap.
     
      I. La volpe dice che 1' uva e agresta.
      E. The fox said the grapes were sour.
     
      I. L' elefante non sente il morso della pulce.
      E. The elephant does not feel a flea-bite.
     
      I. Le lucciole non sono lanterne.
      E. Glowworms are not lanterns.
     
      I. Le parole non po i gatti.
      E. Words won't feed cats.
     
      I. L' occhio del padrone mgrassa il cavallo.
      E. The eye of the master fattens the horse.
     
      I. L' ospite, ed il pesce dopo tre di rincresce.
      E. A guest and a fish stink in three days.
     
      I. Lupo non mangia lupo.
      E. Wolves don't eat wolves.
     
      I. Mangia tanto una rozza quanto un buon cavallo.
      E. A jade eats as much as a good horse.
     
      I. Matta e quella pecoi'a che si coufessa al lupo.
      E. Tis a silly sheep that confesses to the wolf.
     
     
      I. Muove la coda il cane, non per te, ma per il pane.
      E. The dog wags his tail, not for you, but for bread.
     
      I. Nella veste piu. fina fa maggior dauno la tarraina.
      E. The moth does most mischief to the finest garment.
     
      I. Non dar del pane al cane ogni volta che dimena la coda.
      E. Do not give the dog bread every time he wags his tail.
     
      I. Non e onore all' aquila il vincer la colomba.
      E. It is no honour for an eagle to vanquish a dove.
     
      I. Non si fa ber 1' asino quando non ha sete.
      E. There's no making the ass drink when he is not thirsty.
     
      I. Non fu mai cacciator gatto cbe miagola.
      E. Never was a mewing cat a good mouser.
     
      I. Non fu mai vista capra morta di fame.
      E. No one ever saw a goat dead of hunger.
     
      I. Non istanno bene due galli in un cortile.
      E. Two cocks in one yard do not agree.
     
      I. Non ischerzar coll' orso, se nonvuoi esser morso.
      E. Don't play with the bear if you don't want to be bit.
     
      I. Non mi punse mai scorpione cbe io non mi medicassi col suo olio.
      E. A scorpion never stung me but I cured myself with its grease.
     
      I. Non si offende mai cane gettandogli le ossa.
      E. A dog is never offended at being pelted with bones,
     
      I. Non tutte le pecore sono per il lupo.
      E. All the sheep are not for the wolf.
     
      I. Non v' e si tristo cane che non meni la coda.
      E. There is no dog, be he ever so wicked, but wags his tail.
     
      I. Nuova rete non piglia uccello vecckio.
      E. Old birds are not caught with new nets.
     
      I. Ogni cane e leone a casa sua.
      E. Every dog is a lion at home.
     
      I. Ogni volpe abbia cura della sua coda.
      E. Let every fox take care of his own tail.
     
      I. Ognuno all' arte sua, e il bue all' aratro.
      E. Every one to his own calling, and the ox to the plough.
     
      I. Ognun si pari le mosche con la sua coda.
      E. Let every one keep off the flies with his own tail.
     
      I. Partoriscono i monti, e nasce un topo.
      E. The mountains are in labour, and bring forth a mouse.
     
      I. Pazienza! disse il lupo all' asino.
      E. Patience! said the wolf to the ass.
     
      I. Pecora che bela perde il boccone.
      E. The sheep that bleats loses a mouthful.
     
      I. Pecora mansueta da ogni agnello e tettata.
      E. A mild sheep is sucked bg every lamb.
     
      I. Pela la gazza, e non la far strillare.
      E. Pluck the magpie, and don't make her scream.
     
      I. Per dir gran merce, la mia gatta mori.
      E. Thank you, pretty pussy, was the death of my cat.
     
      I. Per picciola cagione pigliasi il lupo il montone.
      E. On very small pretext the wolf seizes the sheep.
     
      I. Per saper troppo, perde la sua coda la volpe.
      E. Through beinq too knowing the fox lost his tail.
     
      I. Pigliar due colombi a una lava.
      E. To catch two pigeons with one bean.
     
      I. Pigliar la lepre col carro.
      E. To catch a hare with a cart.
     
      I. Piuttosto un asino cbe porti, cbe un cavallo che butti in terra.
      E. Rather an ass that carries than a horse that throws.
     
      I. Placato il cane, il rubar e facile.
      E. It is easy robbing when the dog is quieted.
     
      I. Porco pigro non mangia pere mature.
      E. The lazy pig does not eat ripe pears.
     
      I. Povero come un topo di cbiesa.
      E. As poor as a church mouse.
     
      I. Preti, frati, monacbe e polli non si trovan mai satolli.
      E. Priests, friars, nans, and chickens never have enough.
     
      I. Prometter piu carri cbe buoi.
      E. To promise more carts than oxen.
     
      I. Provocar il cavallo a correr per il piano.
      E. To spur a horse on level ground.
     
      I. Quando la gatta non e in paese, i topi ballano.
      E. When the cat's away the rats dance.
     
      I. Quando la gatta non v' e, i sorci ballano.
      E. When the cat's away the mice dance.
     
      I. Quando la volpe predica, guardatevi, galline.
      E. When the fox preaches, take care of yourselves, hens.
     
      I. Quando tu vedi il lupo, non ne cercar le pedate.
      E. When you see the wolf do not look for his track.
     
      I. Quanto piu. la volpe e maladetta, tanto maggior preda fa.
      E. The more the fox is cursed, the more prey he catches.
     
      I. Quanto piu si frega la scbiena al gatto, piu leva la coda.
      E. The more you stroke the cat's back the more she sets up her tail.
     
      I. Ragghio d'asino non arriva al cielo.
      E. The braying of an ass does not reach heaven.
     
      I. Rete nuova non piglia uccello vecchio.
      E. A new net won't catch an old bird.
     
      I. Rubar il porco, e dame i piedi per 1' amor di Dio.
      E. To steal the pig, and give away the pettitoes for God's sake
     
      I. Scorticar il cane scorticato.
      E. To flay the flayed dog.
     
      I. Se sorcio sei, non seguitar rane.
      E. If you are a mouse don't follow frogs.
     
      I. Se tacesse la gallina, non si saprebbe die ha fatto 1' uovo.
      E. If the hen had not cackled we should not know she had laid.
     
      I. Se ti lasci metter in spalla il vitello, quindi a poco ti mette-ranno la vacca.
      E. If you let them put the calf on your shoulders, it will not be long before they clap on the cow.
     
      I. Si dice sempre il lupo piu grande che non e.
      E. The wolf is always said to be bigger than he is.
     
      I. Si trovano molti asini che non portano mai sacco.
      E. There are more asses than carry sacks.
     
      I. Sproni proprii e cavalli d'altri fanno corte le miglia.
      E. One's own spurs and another's horse make the miles short.
     
      I. Superbo e quel cavailo che non si vuol portar la biada.
      E. It's a very proud horse that will not carry his oats.
     
      I. Tra asino e asino, non corron se non calci.
      E. Nothing passes between asses but kicks.
     
      I. Trar la cavezza dietro all' asino.
      E. To throw the halter after the ass.
     
      I. Trotto d' asino poco dura.
      E. An ass's trot does not last long.
     
      I. Tutte le volpi alia fine si riveggono in pellicceria.
      E. At last the foxes all meet at the furrier's.
     
      I. Una pecora rognosa ne guasta un branco.
      E. One scabby sheep spoils a flock.
     
      I. Una pulce non leva il sonno.
      E. One flea does not hinder sleep.
     
      I. Una rondine uon fa 1' estate.
      E. One swallow does not make a summer.
     
      I. Uno leva la lepre, un altro la piglia.
      E. One starts the hare, another catches it.
     
      I. Un sorcio mette paura ad un ladro.
      E. A mouse will scare a thief.
     
      I. Val piu un asino vivo che un dottore morto.
      E. A living ass is better than a dead doctor.
     
      I. Vender 1'uccello in su la frasca.
      E. To sell the bird in the bush.
     
     
     
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: The following list was taken from the book, "Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages" classified by subject, arranged alphabetically, compiled by Robert Christy (New York: Putnam's Sons, 1887).
     
      ASS
      1. A braying ass eats little hay. Ital,
      3. A goaded ass must needs trot. Fr, Ital
      4. A living ass is better than a dead doctor. Ital.
      17. An ass's tail will not make a sieve. Ital,
      21. An ass's trot does not last long. Ital.
      53. Nothing passes between asses but kicks.
      Ital.
      60. Rather an ass that carries than a horse that
      throws. Ital.
      68. The ass does not know the worth of his tail
      until he has lost it. Ital.
      83. The braying of an ass does not reach heaven.
      Ital.
      88. There are more asses than carry sacks. Ital.
     
      BEE
      6. From the same flower the bee extracts honey
      and the wasp gall. Ital.
     
      CAT
      5. A cat pent up becomes a lion. Ital
      28. Never was a mewing cat a good mouser.
      Ital
      51. The more you stroke the cat's back the more
      she sets up her tail. Ital,
      52. The scalded cat (or dog) dreads cold water.
      Ital, Sp.
     
      CHICKEN
      17. If the hen had not cackled, we should not
      know she had laid an egg. Ital,
     
      DOG
      5. A cur's tail grows fast. Ital
      43. An old dog does not bark for nothing.
      Fr, Ital
      44. An old dog does not grow used to the collar.
      Ital
      56. Cut off the dog's tail he remains a dog. Ital.
      60. Dogs bark at those they don't know. Ital
      71.DO not give a dog bread every time he wags
      his tail. Ital
      84. He that wants to beat a dog is sure to find a
      stick. Ital.
      113. It is the nature of the greyhound to carry a
      long tail. Ital.
      135. Stones or bread ? one must have something in
      hand for the dogs. Ital
      138. The dog barks and ^the ox feeds. Ital
      141. The dog gets into the mill under cover of the
      ass. Ital
      148. The dog that bites does not bark in vain. ItaL
      149. The dog that has been beaten with a stick is
      afraid of its shadow. Ital
      153. The dog that is quarrelsome and not strong,
      woe to his hide. ItaL
      155. The dog that licks ashes is not to be trusted
      with flour. ItaL
      156. The dog wags his tail not for you but for
      your bread. ItaL Sp., For.
      179. There is no dog, be he ever so wicked, but
      wags his tail. Ital
     
      Donkey.
      1. He that is a donkey and believes himself a
      deer finds out his mistake at the leaping of the ditch.
      Ital
      6. There is no making a donkey drink against
      his will. Ital, Dutch.
     
      Elephant.
      3. The elephant does not feel a flea bite. Ital,
     
      Fox.
      13. Even foxes are caught. Ital.
      14. Every fox likes a hen-roost. Ital
      69. The more the fox is cursed the more prey he
      Catches. Ital
     
      Frog.
      I. Even a frog would bite if it had teeth. Ital
      4. The frog does not bite because it cannot. Ital
     
      Sheep.
      13. Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will
      eat you. Ital., Fr.
      34. The sheep that bleats loses a mouthful.
      Fr., Ital., For.
      37. Tis a silly sheep that makes the wolf her
      confessor. Ital.
     
     
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Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: The following list was taken from the book, "Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages" arranged in the following order: English, Romanian, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese and Latin by Mrs. E. B. Mawr (London: Elliot Stock, 1885).
     
      E. As sly as Fox.
      I. Con la volpe convien volpeggiare.
     
      E. All is Fish that comes to Net.
      I. Egli fa roba sull' acqua.
     
      E. A mountain IS Labour, and it brings forth a Mouse.
      I. Partorieoono i monti, e naace un topo.
     
      E. A Guest and a Fish stink after three Days.
      I. L'ospite, ed il pesce, Dopo tre di rincresce.
     
      E. A Cat may look at a King.
      I. Siamo tutti figli d'Adamo.
     
      E. Better an Egg to-day than a Hen to-morrow.
      I. E meglio aver oggi un novo, che domani una gallina
     
      E. Barking Dogs do not bite.
      I. Can ch' abbaia non morde.
     
      E. Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
      I. Far conto dell uovo non ancor nato.
     
      E. Dog does not eat Dog.
      I. Corvi con corvi non si cavan gli occhi.
     
      E. Do not buy A Pig in a Poke.
      I. Comprare gatta in sacco.
     
      E. DO NOT THROW PEARLS BEFORE SWINE.
      I. Gettar le margherite ai porci.
     
      E. Every Cock crows on his own Dunghill.
      I. E ardito il gallo sopra il suo letame.
     
      E. Every Dog has his Day.
      I. Il mondo e fatto a scale,
     
      E. Fine Feathers make fine Birds.
      I. I panni rianno le stanghe.
     
      E. Give a Dog a bad Name and Hang him.
      I. Uomo condennato e mezzo impiccato.
     
      E. He that makes himself a sheep is eaten by the wolves.
      I. Chi si fa pecorella, i lupi la mangiano.
     
      E. He is like the Dog in the Manger.
      I. Il can dell* ortolano non mangia la lattuga, e non la lascia mangiare agli altri.
     
      E. His geese are all Swans.
      I. Ad ogni ucello, il nido suo pare bello.
     
      E. It is an ill Bird that befouls its own Nest.
      I. II tno nemico e quel dell arte tua.
     
      E. It is a good Horse that never stumbles.
      I. Egli erra il prete air altare.
     
      E. It is too late to lock the Stable Door when the
      Steed is stolen.
      I. Serrar la stalla quando se han perdu i buoi.
     
      E. If you tread on a Worm it will turn again.
      I. Se pesti nn verme, ei ti si attorche al piede.
     
      E. Love me, love my Dog.
      I. Chi ama me, ama il mio cane.
     
      E. Money makes the Mare to go.
      I. I danari fanno correre i cavalli.
     
      E. One Man may steal a Horse, while another Man cannot look over a hedge.
      I. Chi e reo, e buono e tenuto, puo fare il male, e nongli e creduto.
     
      E. One Swallow does not make a Summer.
      I. Una rondine non fa l'estate.
     
      E. The Fox may grow grey, but never good.
      I. II lupo cangia il pelo, ma non il vizio.
     
      E. When the Cat is away, The Mice are at Play.
      I. Quando la gatto non v'e, i sorci ballano.
     
      E. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
      I. Cbi non ba danari in borsa, abbia miel in bocca.
     
      E. You do not catch old birds with chaff.
      I. Nuova rete non piglia ucello vecchio.
     
      E. You must not look a gift horse in the mouth.
      I. A caval donate non si guarda in bocca.
     
      E. You must not run after two hares at the same time.
      I. Ohi due lepri caccia, 1' una non piglia, e l'altra lascia.
     
     
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