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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Un dovere di coscienza - non ammentte inadempienza.
o in English (Literally) A duty of conscience does not lend itself to fulfillment. Meaning: If one does something out of duty, it doesn't feel so great.
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Vice -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Dai nemici mi guardo io, dagli amici mi guardi id dio.
o in English: I can protect myself from my enemies, may God protect me from my friends.
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Good and Evil -- Fate (General) Italy (National)
o in Italian: Non tutto il male vien per nuocere.
o in English: (Literally) Not everything bad that happens gets wasted. (Equivalent) Everything happens for a reason.
o in Italian: Un belle gioco dura poco.
o in English: (Literally) The best games don't last long. (Equivalent) All good things come to an end.
o in Italian: Chi piu sa, meno credo.
o in English: The more one knows, the less one believes.
o in Italian: Non fare il male ch'e peccato; non fare il bene ch'e sprecato.
o in English: Don't do evil because it's a sin; don't do good because it's wasted.
o in Italian: Chi tante male azioni fa una grossa ne aspetta.
o in English: (Literally) He who does many bad deeds can expect a big one he doesn't expect in return. (Equivalent) What goes around, comes around.
o in Italian: Vado per elemosina per fare carita.
o in English: I beg, so I do good.
o in Italian: Piu che le parole persuadano gli esempi.
o in English: (Literally) You need more than words to persuade, you need actions. (Equivalent) Actions speak louder than words.
o in Italian: Non tutti quaellli che hanno lettere sona savi.
o in English: Not all those who are learned are wise.
o in Italian: Acqua passata non machina i pu.
o in English: (Literally) Passed water no longer rolls. (Equivalent) That's water under the bridge.
o in Italian: Il meglio e nemico del bel bene.
o in English: Aiming for perfection does more harm than good.
o in Italian: Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio.
o in English: There are two sides to every coin.
o in Italian: Non c'e rosa senaza spine.
o in English: Every rose has its thorn.
o in Italian: Il mondo e bello perche e vario.
o in English: (Literally) The world is beautiful because there is a lot of variety. (Equivalent) Variety is the spice of life.
o in Italian: Le false speranze alimentano il dolore.
o in English: False hope increases the pain.
o in Italian: La persona vivaci rallegrano il mondo.
o in English: An animated person animates the world.
o in Italian: Tutto a posto, niente in ordine.
o in English: Everything is fine, but nothing is alright.
o in Italian: Ogni promessa e debito.
o in English: A promise is a debt.
o in Italian: Niuno e savio d'ogni tempo.
o in English: No one is wise at all times.
o in Italian: I meglio e nemico del bel bene.
o in English: (Literally) The best is the enemy of good. (Equivalent) Aiming for perfection backfires.
o in Italian: Non dare consigli a chi non il chiede.
o in English: Never give advice unless asked.
o in Italian: La vita non e tutta rosa.
o in English: (Literally) Life is not all that rosy. (Equivalent) Life is not a bed of roses.
o in Italian: Ben fatta per paura, poco vale e poco dura.
o in English: If one does something well out of fear, it has little value and won't last for long.
o in Italian: Acqua quieta rovina i ponti.
o in English: (Literally) Quite water ruins bridges. (Meaning) It doesn't take much to get ruined.
o in Italian: Il fine giustifica i mezzi.
o in English: The end justifies the means.
o in Italian (Dialect): Accompagnati con chi e meglio di te, e fagli le spese.
o in English: Accompany yourself with people who are better than you, even if you have to pay their expenses. (Meaning) Suck up to those in power, and you'll have it made.
o in Italian: Chi ha tempo, non aspetti tempo.
o in English: (Literally) He who has time, isn't waiting around for time. (Meaning) If you plan ahead, you'll meet your deadlines. Or, Those who are well-organized, have plenty of time left over to do whatever they want. (Equivalent) A stitch in time saves nine.
o in Italian: Non perdere una buona miseria.
o in English: (Literally) Don't waste good misery (and/or poverty). (Equivalent) Make do with what you have. (Equivalent) Don't cry over spilled milk.
o in Italian: Chi vuol vivere senza pene, prenda il mondo come viene.
o in English: He who wants to live without pain, accepts the world as it comes.
o in Italian: Pietra mossa non fa muschio.
o in English: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
o in Italian: Con niente non si fa niente.
o in English: With nothing, one can do nothing.
o in Italian: Il peggio nen e mai morto.
o in English: (Literally) The worst is never dead. (Meaning) Worst things can and will happen. Or, bad things happen to good people.
o in Italian: Chi non sopporta ammonizioni, sopportera delusioni.
o in English: (Literally) He who does not support warnings, will have to support disappointment. (Meaning) Heed good advice, or risk failure.
o in Italian: Le critiche fan pansare, le lodi addormentare.
o in English: Criticism makes one think, praise makes one fall asleep.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Pubic Library, Digital Gallery #1562096
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Vice -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: A chi dai il dito si prende anche il braccio.
o in English: Literally, To those you give a finger, they'll even take your arm. (Equivalent) Give them an inch and they'll want a mile.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1168477
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil-- Virtue -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Se a vanvera non vuoi sparare pensaci bene prima di parlare.
o in English: If it's really true that you don't want to shoot [wound] think carefully before you speak. Equivalent: Think before you speak.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #3b1164r
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Vice -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Chi il suo cane vuole ammazzare, quacke scusa sa pigliare.
o in English: When one wants to get rid of their dog, any excuse is a good excuse.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1577631
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Vice -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Chi ti loda in presenza, ti biasima in assenza.
o in English: Who overwhelms you with praise in your presence, criticizes you in your absence.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #812266
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: Salvo che negl' occhi di Dio, non tutti gl' uomini sono uguali; la responsibilita di tutti noi e'aiutara color che non possono aiutare se stessi.
o in English: Except in the eyes of God, all men are not created equal; so we are all responsible to help those who cannot help themselves.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #3b03253
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue -- Italy (National)
o in Italian: La bellezza va e viene -- la bonta si mantiene.
o in English: (Literally) Beauty comes and goes, kindness is maintained. (Meaning) Beauty doesn't last long, kindness lasts forever.
| Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #111451
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Basilicata (Potenza), Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Good and Evil -- Virtue -- by Region -- Basilicata
o in Italian: Per l'amore della rosa sopporta anche le spine.
o in English: For the love of the rose one accepts even the thorns.
Photo of Gemma Forliano. | Contributed by: Gemma Forliano
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