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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).
A.
E. All is not gold that glitters.
I. Oro non e tutto quel che risplende.
E. A Fool can throw a Stone into a Pool, but twenty
Wise men cannot get it out.
I. Un pazzo getta una pietra nel pozzo, e vi voglion cento,
savii a cavarnela.
E. A word to the Wise is sufficient for them.
I. A buon intenditor, poche parole.
E. Among the Blind, the One-eyed is King.
I. In terra di ciechi, beato a chi ha un occhio.
E. A burnt Child dreads the Fire.
I. A cane scottato l'acqua fredda pare calda.
A Penny saved is a Penny gained.
I. Quattrino risparmiato, due volte quadagnato.
E. A Friend in Need, Is A Friend indeed.
I. Al bisogno si conoscono gli amici.
E. Carpenter is known by his Chips.
I. L' opera loda il maestro.
E. As SLY AS A Fox.
I. Con la volpe convien volpeggiare.
E. All is Fish that comes to Net.
I. Egli fa roba sull' acqua.
E. As YOU HAVE sown, SO WILL YOU REAP.
I. Chi semina, raccoglie.
E. A Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Bush.
I. E meglio un uccello in gabbia, che cento fuorL
E. A good Name is better than Riches.
I. Acquista buona fama e mettiti a dormire.
E. A Man is known by the Company he keeps.
I. Dimmi con chi vai, e te diro chi sei.
E. A stitch IN Time SAVES Nine.
I. Chi non tura buoolin, tura bucone.
A Drowning Man catches at a Straw.
I. Chi e portato giu dall'acqua, si attacca ad ogni spini.
E.As YOU MAKE YOUR Bed, SO YOU MUST LIE.
I. Chi ha fatto il mala, faccia la penitenza.
E. After Rain comes Sunshine.
I. Dopo il cattivo, viene il bel tempo.
E. After Sorrow, comes Joy.
I. Spesso d'un gran male, nasce un gran bene.
E. All is Well that ends Well.
I. Tutto e bene chi fini bene.
E. A mountain IS Labour, and it brings forth a Mouse.
I. Partorieoono i monti, e naace un topo.
E. A GOLDEN Key opens any Gate bct that of Heaven.
I. Cbiave d' oro apre ogni porta.
E. As POOR AS A Church Mouse.
I. Poyero come nn topo di chiesa.
E. A SHARP Tongue is worse than a sharp Sword.
I. L La lingna non ha osso, e si fa rompere il dosso.
E. A CONTENTED MIND IS A CONTINUAL FEAST.
I. E meglio il cuor felice, che la borsa piena. ^
E. A GOOD Beginning makes a good Ending.
I. Chi ben vive, ben muore.
E. A GUILTY Conscience needs no Accuser.
I. La conscienza vale per mille testimonj.
Mete la mano en tn seno.
E. At Night all Cats are grey.
I. Ogni cuffia e buona per la notte.
E. All that is fair must fade.
I. Bella cosa tosto e rapita.
E. All roads lead to Bome.
I. Tutte le strade condcono a Roma.
E. A Little Spark kindles a great Fire.
I. Piccola favilla accende gran fnoco.
E. A Guest and a Fish stink after three Days.
I. L'ospite, ed il pesce, Dopo tre di rincresce.
E. A merry Heart goes all the Way, a SAD One tires in a Mile.
I. Il lungo giorno noia, ma il cuor fa l'opera.
E. A Man's House is his Castle.
I. Ogni cane e leone a casa sua.
E. A living Dog is better than a dead Lion.
I. Val piu un asino vivo, Che un dottore morto.
E. A ROLLING Stone gathers no Moss.
I. Pietra mossa non fa mnschio.
E. A Cat may look at a King.
I. Siamo tutti figli d'Adamo.
B.
E. Better alone than in bad Company.
I. E meglio esser solo, cbe mal aocompagpiato.
E. Better late than never.
I. ? meglio tardi che mai.
E. Bad News travels apace.
I. Le cattive nuove sono le prime.
E. Better be envied than pitied.
I. Meglio invidia che pieta.
E. Better an Egg to-day than a Hen to-morrow.
I. E meglio aver oggi un novo, che domani una gallina
E. Building Castles in the Air.
I. Far castelli in aria.
E. Better to bend than to break.
I. E meglio piegare, che rompere.
E. Barking Dogs do not bite.
I. Can ch' abbaia non morde.
E. Beggars must not be Choosers.
I. Chi ha bisogna, s'arrenda.
C
E. Cut your Coat according to your Cloth.
I. Bisogna tagliare secondo il panno.
E. Constant dropping wears away Stone.
I. Goccia a goccia s' incava la pietra.
E. Charity begins at Home.
I. La prima carita comincia da se.
E. Curses, like Chickens, come Home to roost.
I. Le bestemmie fanno come le processioni ritomano donde
E. Comparisons are Odious.
I. Le comparationi sono tntte odiose.
D.
E. Diamond cuts Diamond.
I. Non e inganno, cbe non se vinca con inganno.
E. Do NOT COUNT YOUR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY AKb
HATCHED.
I. Far conto dell uovo non ancor nato.
E. Do NOT HOLLO BEFORE YOU ARE OUT OF THE WOOD.
I. Non convien cantare il trionfo, prima della victoria.
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. Dead Men tell no Tales.
I. Morta la bestia, morto il veleno.
E. Do NOT PUT A Sword into your Enemy's Hands.
I. A chi dici il tuo segreto, doni la tua liberta.
E. Do AS I SAY, AND NOT AS I DO.
I. Fa il bene che dico, et non il male che faccio.
E. Do not look at the coat, but at what is under the
Coat.
I. L'abito non fa il monaco.
E. DO NOT PUT YOUR HAND BETWEEN THE BaRK AND THE Tree.
I. Tra came e ugna nessun vi pugna.
E. Do not poke your Nose into other People's Affairs.
I. Ogni fiore vuol entrar nel mazzo.
E. DO NOT THROW PEARLS BEFORE SWINE.
I. Gettar le margherite ai porci.
E. Do your Duty, come what may.
I. Fa quel che devi, e n'arrivi cio che potra.
E. Delays are dangerous.
I. Lo indugiare e pericoloso.
E. Desperate Evils need desperate Remedies.
I. Al male estremo, rimedio violento.
E. Do NOT RISK ALL YOUR EgGS IN ONE BASKET.
I. Tristo e quel barbiere che ha un sol pettine.
E
E. Empty Barrels make the most Noise.
I. Vaso vuoto suona meglio.
E. Everyone to his Taste.
I. Tutti i gusti son gusti
E. Enough is as good as a Feast.
I. Chi si contenta, gode.
E. Every Cock crows on his own Dunghill.
I. E ardito il gallo sopra il suo letame.
E. Every Tub must stand on its own Bottom.
I. Ogni volpe abbia cura della sua coda.
E. Each for Himself, and God for us All.
I. Ognun per se, e Dio per tntti.
E. Experience is the best Teacher.
I. L'esperienza e ottima maestra.
E. Every Dog has his Day.
I. Il mondo e fatto a scale,
E. Example is better than precept.
I. Come canta il capellano, cosi responde il sagrestano.
E. Exchange is no Robbery.
I. Cosa cambiata non e rubata.
E. Every Why has its Wherefore.
I. Ogni cosa ha cagione.
E. Everyone should sweep before his own Door.
I. Chi vuol dir mal d' altrui, pensi prima a se stesso.
E. Evil be to him who Evil thinks.
I. Chi mal pensa, mal abbia.
E. Every Medal has its Reverse.
I. Ogni medaglia ha il suo rovescio.
E. Everything is good in its Season.
I. Da stagione tutto e buono.
F.
E. Faint Heart never won fair Lady.
I. Non dee seguir amor chi non ha valore.
E. Fine Feathers make fine Birds.
I. I panni rianno le stanghe.
E. FOREWABNED IS FOREARMED.
I. Uomo avveatito e mezzo munito.
E. Fortune favours the Bold.
I. n mondo e di chi se lo piglia.
E. Fair and Softly wins the.Day.
I. Chi va piano va sano, e chi va sano va lontano.
E. Fine Words butter no Parsnips.
I. Belle parole non pascon i gatti.
E. Familiarity breeds Contempt.
I. La troppa familiarita genera disprezzo.
E. First come, first served.
I. Chi tardi arriva, male allogia.
G.
E. Great Boast, small Roast.
I. Chi piglia leoni in assenza, suotemer dei topi in presenza.
E. God helps those who help themselves.
I. Ajuta ti, che Dio t'aidera.
E. Gold is worth Gold.
I. Oro e che oro vale.
E. Good Wine needs no Bush.
I. Al buon vino non bisogna frasca.
E. Great Talkers, little Doers.
I. Essere pin di parole che di fatti.
E. Give him an Inch, and he will take an Ell.
I. Se gli da un dito, si prende il braccio.
E. Good Blood always shows itself.
I. II buon sangue giammai non puo mentire.
E. Glutton kills more than the sword.
I. Ne ammazza piu la gola che la spada.
E. God tempers the wind to the shorn Lamb.
I. Dio manda il freddo secondo i panni.
E. Give a Dog a bad Name and Hang him.
I. Uomo condennato e mezzo impiccato.
E. Grey Hairs are honourable.
I. Ororate il senno antico.
H.
E. Hunger is the best Sauce.
I. Appetito non vaol salsa.
E. Half a Loaf is better than no Bread.
I. Lupe affamato mangia pan muffato.
E. He who sows the Wind, reaps the Whirlwind.
I. Chi mal semina, mal raccoglie.
E. He who steals an Egg to-day, will steal an Ox to-
morrow.
I. Chi un soldo ti ha rubato, ti prendera il ducato.
E. He has killed the Goose with the golden Eggs.
I. Perdere il trotto per l'ambiadura.
E. He that is born to be hanged, will never be drowned.
I. Chi non sara mai impiccato.
E. He gives twice, who gives in a Trice.
I. Chi da presto, da il doppio.
E. He measures others by his own Ell.
I. Egli misura gli altri con la sua canna.
E. He makes a Rod for his own Back.
I. Si e tagliate le gambe con la propria falee.
E. Hell is paved with good Intentions.
I. Di buona volonta sta pieno l'inferno.
E. Help thyself, and God will help thee.
I. Ajuta ti, che Ddo t'ajuti.
E. He that makes himself a Sheep is eaten by the
Wolves.
I. Chi si fa pecorella, i lupi la mangiano.
E. He that hides, can find.
I. Chi ben serra, ben apre.
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. He that would eat the Kernel, must crack the Nut.
I. Chi non rompe le ova, non fa la frittata.
E. He who goes borrowing, Goes sorrowing.
I. Qoando impresti il tuo danaro, ti ha com prato un giorno amaro.
E. He is paid back in his own Coin.
I. Pagar una di sna moneta.
E. He that will not when he may,
When he will shall then have Nay I
I. Chi non fa qnando puo, non fa quando puo.
E. His geese are all Swans.
I. Ad ogni ucello, il nido suo pare bello.
E. Honour to whom Honour is due.
I. Ad ogni santo la sua torcia.
E. Honesty is the best Policy.
I. L'onesta e la migliore politica.
E. Home is Home, be it never so homely; there's no
Place like Home.
I. Casa mia, per peccina che tu sia,
Tu mi pari una badia.
E. He is born with a silver Spoon in his Mouth.
I. Nacque vestito.
E. It is like carrying Coals to Newcastle.
I. Vender il miele a chi ha le api.
E. Idleness is the Root of all Evil.
I. L' ozio e il padre del vizio.
E. It is an ill Bird that befouls its own Nest.
I. II tno nemico e quel dell arte tua.
E. It is not wise to open old Wounds.
I. Chi vuol saldar piaga non la maneggia.
E. It is easier to forgive than to forget.
I. Chi non pu5 dimenticare puo perdonare.
E. It comes in at one Ear, and goes out at the other.
I. Dentro da un orecchio e f uori dall' altro.
E. It is a long Lane that has never a Turning.
I. Corre lontano chi non toma mai.
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. Ill-Weeds grow apace.
I. La mala erba cresce presto.
E. If you tread on a Worm it will turn again.
I. Se pesti nn verme, ei ti si attorche al piede.
E. It never rains but it pours.
I. E s'intende acqna e non tempesta.
E. It is better to be born Lucky than Bich.
I. Assai ben balla a chi fortnna suona.
E. It is an ill Wind that blows nobody Good.
I. Cattivo e quel vento che a nessnno e prospero.
E. It will be all the same a Hundbed Yeabs hence.
I. In cento anni e cento mesi, l'acqua torna a suoi paesi.
E. Lightly come, lightly go.
I. Quel che vien di riffa in raffia, sene va di biffa in baffa.
E. Long looked for, come at last.
I. Tanto tono ch'alfin piovve.
E. Love, Smoke, and a Cough are hard to hide.
I. Amor, tosse, e fumo, malamente si nascondono.
E. Love is blind.
I. Amor e cieco, ma vede da lontano.
E. Listeners never hear any good of themselves.
I. Chi ascolta alia porta, ode il suo danno.
E. Like will to Like.
I. Simili con simili vanno.
E. Love me little, love me long.
I. Ama mi poco, ma continua.
E. Love makes Labour light.
I. Amor non conosce travaglio.
E. Look before you leap.
I. Guarda innanzi che tu salti.
E. Like Master, like Man.
I. Tal padrone, tal servitore.
E. Love me, love my Dog.
I. Chi ama me, ama il mio cane.
E. Let those laugh who win.
I. Allltimo del salmo si canta la gloria.
E. Least said, soonest mended.
I. Chi parla assai, falla spesso.
M.
E. Money makes the Mare to go.
I. I danari fanno correre i cavalli.
E. Marry in Haste, and repent at Leisure.
I. Chi erra in fretta, a bell' agio si pente.
E. More Haste, worse Speed.
I. Presto e bene, non si conviene.
E. Man proposes, God disposes.
I. L'omo propone, Dio dispone.
E. More Talk than Work.
I. Gran fumo, poco arrosto.
E. Much Cry, and little Wool.
I. Assai romor, e poco lana.
E. Misfortunes never come singly.
I. Le disgrazie non vengon mai sole.
E. Marriages are made in Heaven.
I. Nozze, e magistrato, Dal Ciel e destinato.
E. Many a true Word is spoken in Jest.
I. Qnel che pare bula, ben sovente e vero.
E. Much would have More.
I. Qunto piu se n'ha, tanto piu se ne vorrebe.
E. Making use of a Cat's Paw to get the Chestnuts on of the Fire.
I. Cavar la castagna dal fnoco con la zampa altrui.
E. Making Mountains op Molehills.
I. Far d' una mosca an elefante.
E. Money makes Money.
I. Il danaro e fratello del danaro.
E. Marry your Son when you wish, your Daughter when you can.
I. Casa il figlio quando vuoi, e la figlia quando puoi.
N.
E. Night brings Council.
I. La notte e madre del consiglio.
E. NONE ARE so DEAF AS THOSE THAT WILL NOT HEAR.
I. Non ci e il pill cattivo sordo di quel che non vuol udire.
E. New Brooms sweep clean.
I. Granata nuova spazza ben la casa.
E. Needs must when the Devil drives.
I. Necessity non ha legge.
E. No one knows where the Shoe pinches, but he who
WEARS IT.
I. Nessun sente da che parte preme la scarpa, se non chi se la calza.
E. None are so blind as those who will not see.
I. La gatta di masino che serravagU ochi per non veder i topi.
E. Necessity is the Mother of Invention.
I. Bisognino fa I'uomo ingegnoso.
E. Nothing venture, nothing have.
I. Chi non arrischia, non acquista.
E. No News, good News.
I. Nulla nuova, buona nuova.
O.
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 Man's Meat is another Man's Poison.
I. Non pianse mai uno, che non ridesse un altro.
E. One must step back to take a good Leap.
I. Pazzo chi perde il volo per lo sbalzo.
E. Other Times, other Manners.
I. Altri tempi, altri costumi.
E. Out of Debt, out of Danger.
I. Senza debiti, senza pensieri.
E. Once is not Custom.
I. Uso fa legge.
E. Out of Sight, out of Mind.
I. Lontano dagli occbi, lontano dal cuore.
E. One must not judge by Appearances. (It is not the cowl
that makes the friar.)
I. L'abito non fa il monaco.
E. One good Turn deserves another.
I. Qual ballata, tal sonata.
E. Opportunity makes the Thief.
I. La commodita fa l'uomo ladro.
E. One may buy Gold too dear.
I. Si puo pagar l'oro troppo caro.
E. Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire.
I. Cader dalla padella nella brace.
E. One Tale is good until another is told.
I. Odi l'altra parte, e credi poco.
E. One Swallow does not make a Summer.
I. Una rondine non fa l'estate.
E. Of two Evils choose the least.
I. E meglio cader dalla finestra che dal tetto.
E. Oft goes the Pitcher to the Well, but comes back
BROKEN at last.
I. Yaso che va spesso al fonte, ci lascia il manico o la fronte.
E. One Hand washes the other, and both wash the Face,
I. Una mano lava 1' altra, e tutt' e due lavano il viso.
E. One Nail drives out another.
I. Un chiodo caccia 1'altro.
P.
E. Penny-wise and Pound-foolish.
I. Tristo a quel qnattrino, che peggiora il fiorino.
E. Practice makes perfect.
I. Chi molto pratica, molto impara.
E. Procrastination is the Thief of Time.
I. L'indugio piglia vizio.
E. Poverty is the recompense of Idleness.
I. La pigrizia e sempre bisognosa.
E. Poverty is no Crime.
I. Poverta non e colpa.
E. Patience is a Virtue, and a little will not hurt you.
I. Chi pill dura, la vince.
E. ROME WAS NOT BUILT IN A DAY.
I. In an giorno non si fe' Roma.
E. Still Waters run deep.
I. Sotto la bianca cenere, sta la brace ardente.
E. So MANY Servants, so many Enemies.
I. Chi vuol esser mal servito, tenga assai famiglia.
E. Silence gives Consent.
I. Chi tace, acconsente.
E. Safe bind, safe find.
I. La buona cura, caccia la nala ventura.
E. Speak of the Devil, and he is sure to appear.
I. Cosa ragionata per via ya.
E. Self-praise is no recommendation.
I. Chi si loda, si lorda.
E. Short Reckonings make lonq Friends.
I. Conti chiari, amici can.
E. So many countries, so many customs.
I. Tanti paesi, tante usanze.
E. Seeing is believing.
I. Non credere al Santo, se non fa miracoli.
E. Stolen Pleasures are sweetest.
I. I frutti probiti sono i piu dolci.
E. Second Thoughts are best.
I. Il secondo pensiero e il migliore.
E. Set a Beggar on Horseback, and he will ride to the Devil.
I. Quando il villano e a cavallo, non vorrebe mai chesi facesse sera.
E. Set a Thief to catch a Thief.
I. Ghi vuol gastigar un villano, lo dia a gastigar ad nn altro.
E. Speech is Silver, Silence is Gold.
I. Bare volte nocque il tacere, spesso il parlare*
E. See a Pin and let it lie,
I. You WILL WANT A PiN BEFORE YOU DIE.
E. Short Prayers reach Heaven.
I. Breve orazione penetra.
E. Teach your Grandmother to suck Eggs.
I. L' novo ne vuol saper piu della gallina.
E. Too MANY Cooks spoil the Broth.
I. Dove sono molto cuochis, la minestra sark troppo salata.
E. To FISH IN TROUBLED WaTEBS.
I. Fiume torbo guadagno de' pescatori.
E. Two Heads are better than one.
I. Due teste son migliori che una.
E. The Master's Eye makes the Horse fat.
I. L' occhio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo.
E. To LIVE FROM Hand to Mouth.
I. Cavami d' oggi, e mettimi in domani.
E. There is no Rose without a Thorn.
I. Non v'e rosa senza spina.
E. There is many a Slip 'Twixt the Cup and the Lip.
I. Tra la bocca ed il boccone, mille cose accadono.
E. To ADD Fuel to the Fire.
I. Aggiungere legne al f noco.
E. Those who lay a Trap fob others, fall into it themselves.
I. Chi ad altri scava la fossa, non di rado yi cade il primo.
E. Those who live in Glass Houses, must not throw Stones.
I. Chi ha testa di vetro non vada a battaglia di sassi.
E. The Devil is not so black as he is painted.
I. II diavolo non l'cosi brutto come si dipinge.
E. To HAVE TWO Strings to his Bow.
I. E sempre buono aver dne corde al sno arco.
E. The nearer the Church, the farther from God.
I. Vicino alia chiesa, lontan da Dio.
E. They are Hand and Glove together.
I. Sono pane e cacio.
E. The Game is not worth the Candle.
I. E un mal giusco, quell che non vale la candela.
E. Time and Patience work Wonders.
I. Con tempo e la paglia, si maturan le nespole.
E. There is no Smoke without Fire.
I. La fiamma e poco lontana dal fumo.
E. The Pot calls the Kettle grimy.
I. La padella dice al pajola: Fatti in la che tu mi tigni.
E. That is robbing Peter, to pay Paul.
I. Spogliar Pietro, per vestir Paolo.
E. The better the Day, the better the Deed.
I. Bnon giomo, buon' opera.
E. Tit for Tat; or, A Rowland for an Oliver.
I. Render pan per focaccia.
E. Those who wish to live in Peace, must hear, see, and
SAY Nothing.
I. Odi, vedi, e taci, se vuoi viver in pace.
E. There is a Silver Lining to every Cloud.
I. Ogni giomo ha la sua notte.
E. The more Haste, the worse Speed.
I. Chi va piano va sano, chi va san ova lontano.
E. The End crowns the Work.
I. II fin loda r opera.
E. Those who cheapen wish to buy.
I. Chi biasima, vuol comprare.
E. Two OF A Trade can never agree.
I. L'invidia e tra gli artefici.
E. The receiver is as bad as the Thief.
I. Tanto ne va a chi ruba, quanto a quel che tiene il sacco.
E. The Absent are always Wrong.
I. Chi e lontano, ha sempre torto.
E. Take Care op the Pence, and the Pounds will take
Care op themselves.
I. Lo sparagno il primo guadagno.
E. The Biter is bit.
I. Chi bnrla, vien burlato.
E. Time and Tide wait for no Man.
I. Il tempo non indngia per nessuno.
E. Truth lies at the Bottom of a Well.
I. Mai voluntieri s' ascolta il vero.
E. The Weakest goes to the Wall.
I. Sempre ha torto il piu debole.
E. The worst Wheel makes the most Noise.
I. La piu trista ruota del carro e quella che cigola.
E. Time lost can never be recalled.
I. Chi tempo ha, e tempo aspetta, tempo perde.
E. The Tree does not pall at the first Blow.
I. Al primo colpo, non cade V albero.
E. The best Goods are cheapest in the End.
I. Alia buona derrata, pensaci su.
E. They that have no other Meat,
Bread and Butter are glad to eat.
I. La fame muta le f ave in mandole.
E. Take a Man by his Word, and a Cow by her Horns.
I. L'uomo per la parola, e il bue per le corna.
E. The Tree must be bent while it is young.
I. Finche la pianta e tenera, bisogna drizzarla.
E. The Evening red, the Morning grey,
Sets forth the Pilgrim on his Way.
I. Rossor di sera bnon tempo mena, rossor di mattina empie la marina.
E. The Fox may grow grey, but never good.
I. II lupo cangia il pelo, ma non il vizio.
E. Take heed of Enemies reconciled, and of Meat twice
I. Amicizia riconciliata e come piaga non ben saldata.
E. There is no striving against the Stream.
I. E un cattivo andare contro la corrente.
U.
E. Useless to spur the willing Horse.
I. Cavalo che corre, non ha bisogno di sproni.
E. Union is Strength.
I. Tre fratelli, tre castelli.
E. Use is second Nature.
I. L'usanza della cunna, difficilmente s'annula.
E. When two Sundays come together.
I. Alle calende greche.
E. When Wine is in, Wit is out.
I. Dove entra il bere,
E. When the Cat is away, The Mice are at Play.
I. Quando la gatto non v'e, i sorci ballano.
E. When Adam delved, and Eve span, Who was then the Gentleman?
I. Allora quando Bertha filava.
E. Who excuses himself, accuses himself.
I. Chi si scusa, s' accusa.
E. What is to be, will be.
I. Che sara, sara.
E. When Thieves disagree, honest Men come by their owx
AGAIN.
I. I due contrari fan che il terzo goda.
E. Walls have Ears.
I. La siepa non hanno occhi, ma orecchie si.
E. When Poverty comes in at the Door, Love flies out of
the Window.
I. La poverty guasta l'amista.
E. Waiting for dead Men's Shoes.
I. Ghi vive in speranza, magra fa la danza.
E. Where there is a Will, there is a Way.
I. A chi vuole, non mancano modi.
E. While the Grass grows, the Horse starves.
I. Mentre l'erba cresce, il cavallo mnore di fame.
E. When you are at Rome, you must do as they do at
Rome.
I. Chi vive tra lupi, impara a urlare.
E. What cannot be cured Must be endured.
I. Quel ch' e fatto, e fatto.
E. What the Eye sees not, the Heart obieyes not.
I. Se occhio non mira, cuor non sos pira.
E. Worshipping the golden Calf.
I. Chiave d'oro, apre la porta di ferro.
E. While there is Life, there is Hope.
I. Finche vi e fiato, vi lsperanza.
E. What Woman wills, God wills.
I. Se la donna vuol, tutto la puol.
E. What is bred in the Bone comes out in the Flesh.
I. Chi asino nasce, sempre e asino.
E. Well begun, Is half-done.
I. Barba bagnata e mezzo rasa.
E. When God wills, all Winds bring Rain.
I. Quando Dio non vuole, il santo non puole.
Y.
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 cut your coat according to your cloth.
I. Bisogna tagliare seconde il panno.
E. You MUST STRIKE WHILE THE IRON is HOT.
I. Batti il ferro, quando e caldo.
E. You PUT THE Cart before the Horse.
I. Metterei prima il ginppone che la camicia.
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.
E. You ARE ONLY SPLITTING HaIRS.
I. Fare arte con gli spilletti.
E. You COME TOO LATE FOR THE FaIR.
I. Dopo la morte non val medicina.
E. You CANNOT TOUCH PiTCH WITHOUT BEING DEFILED.
I. Chi al carbone s'accosta, osi tinge osi scotta.
E. You HAVE HIT THE RIGHT NaIL ON THE HeAD.
I. Aver trovato il polso alia gatta.
E. You MUST TAKE THE WiLL FOR THE DEED.
I. Si mira piu all' affetto, che all' effetto.
E. You CANNOT MAKE A SILK PURSE OUT OF A S0W's EaR.
I. Non si puo far d'un pruno, un melarancio.
E. You CANNOT TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TrICKS.
I. Can vecchio non s' avezza a portar collare.
E. You CANNOT DRAW WaTER FROM A StONE.
I. Dalla rapa non si cava sangve.
E. You MAY FORCE A HopSE TO THE WaTER, BUT YOU CANNOT
MAKE HIM DRINK.
I. Allor che l'asinel sete non ha, fishia per quanto vuoi, che non bera.
E. You MUST NOT SPEAK OF A BOPE IN THE HOUSE OP A MaN
WHO HAS BEEN HANGED.
I. Non ricordar il capestro in casa del impiccato.
E. You CANNOT WASH A BLACKAMOOR WHITE.
I. Chi lava il capo all' asino, perde il sapone.
E. You MUST MAKE HaY WHILE THE SuN SHINES.
I. Bisogna macinare mentre piove.
E. A Man without Money is like a Pudding without Suet.
I. Senza danari, non si paga l'oste.
E. A MISERLY Father makes a prodigal Son.
I. A padre guadagnatore, figlio spenditore.
E. Dumb Folks get no Land.
I. Chi non chiede, non ottiene.
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following list comes from the book, "Select Proverbs, Italian, Spanish, French, English Scottish, British, etc. chiefly moral, the foreign languages done into English," edited by John Mapletoft (London: J.H. for P. Monckton, 1707).
E. He who serves God hath the best Master in the world.
I. Chi ferve a Dio ha buon padone.
E. Where God is there nothing is wanting.
I. Dove Dio li trouva nulla manca.
E. No man is greater in truth than he is in God's esteem.
I. Quanto e l'huomo negl' occhi di Dio, tanto e, e non piu.
E. He hath a good Judgment who doth not rely on his own.
I. Ha buono giuditio chi del proprio non fi fida.
E. He who converses with no body, is either a brute or an angel.
I. Huomo folitario o e bestia, o angelo.
E. Go not over the water where you cannot feel the bottom.
I. Chi no vede il fondo non passi l'acqua.
E. Friendships are good cheap, when they are to be bought with pulling off your hat.
I. Lo amicitie son a buon conto, quando si comprano a sberrettate.
E. Speak well of your friend, of your enemy neither well nor ill.
I. del amico bene; del nemico neb en, ne male.
E. The friendship of a great man is a lyon at the next door.
I. Amicitia di grandi vicinanza di leoni.
E. There are a great many asses without long ears.
I. Si trouvano asini assai fenza orecchie grandi.
E. 'Tis horribly dangerous to sleep near the Gates of Hell.
I. E cattivo dormer vicino alla porta dell Inferno.
E. He who thinks to cheat another, cheats himself most.
I. Chi vuol ingannar il prossimo, inganna se stesso.
E. No man's head aches while he comforts another.
I. A nessun confortator doles mai testa.
E. Bold and shameless men are masters of half the world.
I. Gl'huomini sfacciati pssedono la meta del mondo.
E. Every one hat enough to do to govern himself well.
I. Ognuno ha da far affair con se ftello.
E. Praise doth a wise man good, but a fool harm.
I. La lode giova al savio, e al matto nuoce.
E. He who gives fair words, feeds you with an empty spoon.
I. Chi da ciancie imbocca colla cuchiara vuota.
E. Give a wise man a hint, and he will do the business well enough.
I. Accenna al savio e lascia far a lui.
E. A bad agreement is better than a good law-suit.
I. E meglio cattivo accordo, che un buona lite.
E. The best watering is that which comes from Heaven.
I. Piu val l'acqua del ciel che ogni inafiamento.
E. When your neighbour's house is on fire carry water to your own.
I. Quando arde il vicinato porta acqua a casa tua.
E. He that will have no trouble in this world must not be born in it.
I. Chi non si vuol affaticare in questo mondo, non ci nasca.
E. From an ass you can get nothing but kicks and stench.
I. Dal asino non hai che calci e petti.
E. Either say nothing of the absent, or speak like a friend.
I. Dall' assente otaci, o parla da amico.
E. He is truly happy who can make others happy too.
Beato colu che puo far beato altrui.
E. He that would be well spoken of himself, must not speak ill of others.
I. Chi vuol che si dica ben di lui si guardi didir mal d'altrui.
E. He that does the kindness has the nobelest pleasure of the two.
I. Piu gode quello chi fa, che quello chi receve il beneficio.
E. Keep your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
Bocca chiusa, e occhi aperti.
E. He who will stop every man's mouth must have a great deal of flour.
I. Chi vuol turar la bocca a tutti bisogna che habbia assai farina.
E. Wise men have their mouth in their heart, fools their heart in their mouth.
I. I faggi hanno la bocca nel cuore, I matti il cuor nella bocca.
E. I heard one say so, is half a lie.
I. Haver sentito dire e mezza bugia.
E. Keep company with good men, and you'll increase their number.
I. Accotta ti a buoni, e farai un d'effi.
E. He is a good man who is good for himself, but he is good indeed who is so for others too.
I. Bun per se buono, buon per altri buon affatto.
E. When you meet with a virtuous man, draw his picture.
I. Chi e buono fanne ritratto.
E. He begins to grow bad who takes himself to be a good man.
I. Comincia a diventar cattivo chi si tien buono.
E. He is far from a good man who strives not to grow better.
I. Non e buono chi non cerca di diventar megliore.
E. Keep good men company, and fall not out with the bad.
I. Prattica co buoni, e stab en co cattivi.
E. All the wit in the world is not in one head.
I. Tutto il cervello non e in una testa.
E. Tis better to be condemned by the College of Physicians than by one judge.
I. E meglio esser condennato da piu medici che da un giudice.
E. A man is half known when you see him, when you hear him speak you know him all out.
I. Vedendo uno si conosce mezzo, undendolo si puo conoscer tutto.
E. Write down the advice of him who loves you, though you like it not at present.
I. Configlio di chie ti vuol bene, serivilo anchor che ti paia male.
E. Be slow to give advice, ready to do any service.
I. Consiglio lento, serviggio pronto.
E. Both anger and hate hinder good counsel.
I. In consiglio non fia ne ira ne prestezza.
E. Give neither counsel nor salt till you are asked for it.
I. Ne confislio ne sale si da se non vien chiesto.
E. Mercy or goodness alone makes us like to God.
I. Sola clemenza a dio c'agguaglia.
E. One day of a wise man is worth the whole life of a fool.
I. Piu val un giorno del disereto, che tutta la vita d'un sciocco.
E. One ill example spoils many good laws.
I. Molte leggi corrompe un mal essempio.
E. He who throws a stone against God, it falls upon his own head.
I. Chi contra iddio getta pietra in capo glitorna.
E. He who plays me one trick shall not play me a second.
I. Chi mi ne fa una, non me ne fara due.
E. By making a fault you may learn to do better.
I. Fai che devi, e fegua chio che puole.
E. The Italian is wise before he undertakes a thing, the German while he is doing it, and the Frenchman when it is over.
I. L'Italiano e saggio ianzi al fatto, il Todesco nel fatto, e l'Francese doppo il fatto.
E. In prosperity we ned moderation, in adversity patience.
I. Nella felicita ragione, nell' infelicita patienza.
E. Prosperous men sacrifice not, ie.e., they forget God.
I. Nella prosperita gli altari non fumano.
E. He who considers the end, refrains all evil inclinations.
I. Chi al fin pensa ogni voglia ressrena.
E. He who has the longest sword is always thought to be in the right.
I. Il piu forte ha sempre ragione.
E. He who will have no judge but himself, condemns himself.
I. Chi fugge il giuditio se steffo condanna.
E. He that has nothing knows nothing, and he that has nothing is no body.
I. Chi non ha, non ha, e chi non ha non e.
E. Every man loes justice at another man's house, no body cares for it at his own.
I. Ogniuno anna la giustitia a casa d'altri a niun piace a cafa sua.
E. The sickness of the body may prove the health of the soul.
I. Infermita del corpo fanita dell animo.
E. Working in your calling is half praying.
I. Il lavorare e un mezzo orar.
E. An ill book is the worst of thieves.
I. Non v'e peggior ladro d'un cattivo libro.
E. Let not your tongue say what your head may pay for.
I. Non dica cosa la lingua che la paghi con la testa.
E. He who does no ill has nothing to fear.
I. Chi male non fa paura non ha.
E. No ill befalls us but what may be for our good.
Non vien mai un male, che non venga a fin di bene.
E. Make yourself all honey, and the flies will eat you.
I. Fatti di miele, e ti mangieran le mosche.
E. He is master of the world who despises it, its slave who values it.
I. E pardon del mondo chi lo disprezza, schiavo chi lo apprezza.
E. This Wrold is a cage of fools. Is it not so?
I. Il mondo e una cabbia de matti. N'e vero?
E. He who knows nothing is confident in everything.
I. Chi niente fa di niente dubita.
E. He who lives as he should, has all that he needs.
I. A chi ben vive non gli manca nulla.
E. By doing nothing men learn to do ill.
I. col far nulla s'impara a far male.
E. The best revenge is to prevent the injury.
I. Bella vendetta e lever l'occasione.
E. He who does the injury never forgives the injured man.
I. Chi offende non perdona mai.
E. Extravagant offers are a kind of denial.
I. Offerir molto e spetie di negare.
E. He who would please vry body in all he does, troubles himself and contents no body.
I. Chi voul dell opera sua far pago ognivno se steffo offende, e non contenta alcuno.
E. Happy is the man who does all the good he talks of.
I. Felice chi mette in opera cio che dice.
E. One pair of ears willd rain dry an hundred tongues.
I. Un paio d'orecchie feccherbbero cento lingue.
E. Idelness is the Other of Vice, the Step mother to all virtues.
I. L'otio madre de vitii, matrigna delle virtu.
E. He who is employed is tempted by one devil, he who is dile by a hundred.
I. Chi fatica e tentato da un demonio, chi sta in otio da moti.
E. Ideness buries a man alive.
I. Otio sepoltura dell huomo vivo.
E. He who troubles not himself with other men's business gets peace and rest thereby.
I. chi non si cura de fatti altrui pace e riposo procura per lui.
E. A little in peace and quit is my heart's wish.
I. Poco e in pace multo mi piace.
E. He who speaks little, needs but half so much brains as another man.
I. Chi parla poco gli basta la meta del cervello.
E. He who knows most, commonly speaks least.
I. Chi piu fa meno parla.
E. Few men take his advice who talks a great deal.
I. Chi troppo parla a pochi da confsiglio.
E. Speaking without thinking is shooting without taking aim.
I. Parlar fenza pefar e come tirar fenza mirar.
E. One mild word quenches more heat than a whole bucket of water.
I. Pi spegna una buona parola che un fecchio d'acqua.
E. Good words to putoff your rotten apples.
I. Belle parole e mele fracide.
E. He that has no patience has nothing at all.
I. Chi non ha patienza non ha niente.
E. NO patience, no true wisdom.
I. Non vi puo esser prudenza dove non v'e patienza.
E. Make one bargain with other men, but make four with yourself.
I. Con ogniuno fa un patto, con teco steffo fanna Quattro.
E. If wise men play the fool, they do it with a vengeance.
I. Le infasate pazzie le fanno I savii.
E. One fool in the house is enough in all conscience.
I. Basta d'un pazzo per casa.
E. A wise man does that the first which a fool must do at the last.
I. Quel chi far il pazzo all ultimo, lo f ail savio alla pram.
E. Think much and often, speak little, and write less.
I. Pensa molto, parla poco, e scrivi meno.
E. Forgive every man's faults except your own.
I. Perdona a gli altri, ma ninte a te.
E. To forgive injuries is a noble and God-like revenge.
I. Il perdonare e vendetta divina.
E. Tis amark of great proficiency to bear easily the failings of other men.
I. E segno di grain perfettione di supporter l'atrui imperfettioni.
E. Fond love of a man's self shows that he does not know himself.
I. Amor di se stesso figlio dell ignoranza.
E. That which a man likes well is half done.
I. Cio che pace e mezzo fatto.
E. A wise lawyer never goes to law himself.
I. Nissun buon auvocato piatice mai.
E. Trust some few, but beware of all men.
I. Di pochi fidati, di tutti guardati.
E. That is never to be called little, which a man thinks to be enough.
I. Quello che basta non e mai poco.
E. Of two cowards, he has the better who first finds theother out.
I. Tra due poltroni il vantaggio e di chi prima conosce l'atro.
E. The siser man yields to him who is more than his match.
I. Al piu possente cede il piu prudente.
E. He who thinks eh can do most, is most mistaken.
I. Chi piu crede poter, piu erra.
E. Good preachers give their hearers fruit, not flowers.
I. I veri predicatori danno fruitti e non fiori.
E. Wo to those preachers who listen not to themselves.
I. guai a predicatori che non asocltano a se stessi.
E. He that would have a thing done quickly and well, must do it himself.
I. Chi vuol presto e ben faccia da se.
E. A proverb is the child of experience.
I. Proverbio figlio della sperienza.
E. Proverbs bear age, and he who would do well may view himself in them as in a looking glass.
I. Il proverbio s'invecchia, e chi vuol far bene, vi a specchia.
E. Avoid carefully the first ill or mischief, ofr thatwill breed a hundred more.
I. Guardati bend al primo error e inconveniente, che un disordin ch nasca ne fa cento.
e. Suffering is the mother of fools, reason of wise men.
I. La sperienza e madre de pazzi, e la ragione de savi.
E. Our religion and our language we suck in with our milk.
I. La rel gione e la favella si bevone col latte.
E. Love, knavery and necessity make men good orators.
I. Amor, frode,, e necessita, insegnano la retorica.
E. He is learned enough who knows how to live well.
I. Assai fa chi viver sa.
E. The more a man knows, the less credulous he is.
I. Chi piu fa manco crede.
E. There is no harm in desiring to be thought wise by others, but a great deal in a man's thinking himself to be so.
I. Il voler esser tenut sagio non e male,ma il dar a creder a fe steffo di esser tale.
E. He that pretends too much to wisdom is counted a fool.
I. Chi troppo vuol far il saputo, per pazzo vien tenuto.
E. If you would have a thing kept secret, never tell it to anyone, and if you wd not have a thing known of you, never do it.
I. Se vuoi che stia secreto nolle dire e fe non vuol chi sappia, nollo fare.
E. Whatever you are going to do or say, think well first what may be the consequence of it.
I. Di tutto quello che vuoi far, o dire, pensa prima chio che ne puo seguire.
E. A littlewit will serve a fortunate man.
I. Poco senno basta a chi fortuna suona.
E. A man never loses by doing good offices to others.
I. A far serviggi non se ne perde.
E. He that would be well served must know when to change his servants.
I. Hi vuol esser ben servitor sappi mutar di servitu.
E. Trouble not your head about the weather, or the government.
I. Ne di tempo, ne di Signoria, non ti dar mai-Malinconia.
E. All worldly joy is but a short-lived dream.
I. Quanto piace al mondo e breve sogno.
E. That is a cursed pleasure that makes a man a fool.
I. Maledetto il solazzo chef a l'huomo pazzo.
E. He that speaks ill of other men burns his own tongue.
I. Chi d'altri sparla, s abbruccia la lingua.
E. A mighty hope is a mighty cheat.
I. Gran speranza, grand inganno.
E. He who lives wickedly lives always in fear.
I. A chi mal vive timor fegue.
E. Vices are lerned without a teacher.
I. I vitii s'imparano senza maestro.
E. Who are you for? I am for him whom I get most by.
I. Chi viva? Viva chi mi da mangiare.
E. He has lived to ill purpose who cannot hope to live after his death.
I. Chi non puo iver doppo morte non ha vissuto.
E. The mob is a terrible monster.
I. Volgo gran bestia.
E. Break the legs of an evil custom.
I. A mal uso rompegli le gambe.
E. A man was hanged for saying what was true.
I. Per dir il vero l'huomo e impiccato.
E. That pleasure's much too dear which is bought with any pain.
I. Troppo care e il gioire che compran le pene.
E. Men live one half the year with art and deceit, and the other half with deceit and art.
I. Con arte econ inganno si vive mezzo l'anno, con inganno e con arte si vive l'atra parte.
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following list was taken from the book, "The Antiquity of Proverbs
Fifty Familiar Proverbs and Folk Sayings with Annotations and Lists of Connected forms, Found in All Parts of the World" by Dwight Edwards Marvin (New York: Putnam's Sons, 1922).
Friendships are cheap when they can be bought
by dropping the hat. (Italian).
He that would have many friends should try a few of them. Italian).
He who seeks to have many friends never has any. Italian).
Trust not the praise of a friend nor the contempt of an
enemy. (Italian).
Try your friend with a falsehood and if he keeps it a secret,
tell him the truth. (Italian).
Who would have many friends let him test but few. (Italian).
A dear bargain, a dear friend. (Italian).
Reconciled friendship is a wound ill salved. (Italian, Danish).
To preserve friendship one must build walls. (Italian).
Let him who is wretched and beggared try everybody and then his friends. (Italian).
The friendship of the great is fraternity with lions. (Italian).
Tell me with whom you live and I'll tell you what you are.
(Spanish, French, Dutch and Italian).
A beaten dog is afraid of the stick's shadow. (Italian).
A scalded dog thinks cold water hot. (Italian).
Rather have a little one for your friend than a great one
for your enemy. (Italian).
He who demands does not command. (Italian).
A gram of discretion is worth a pound of wisdom. (German, Italian).
An ounce of discretion is better than a pound of knowledge.
(Italian).
A wise man and a fool together know more than a wise man alone. (Italian).
He is not a wise man who cannot play the fool on occasions.
(Italian).
If wise men play the fool they do it with a vengeance. (Italian).
It is a sorry house in which the cock is silent and the hen
crows. (French, Italian).
Every bird thinks its own nest beautiful. (Italian).
He is wise that is honest. (Italian).
It is not enough to know how to steal, one must know how
to conceal. (Italian).
When it thunders the thief becomes honest. (Italian).
Often out of a great evil a great good is born. (Italian) .
Don't mention the cross to the devil. (Italian).
Speak well of your friend, of your enemy neither well nor
ill. (Italian).
A good horse has no need of the spur. (Italian).
The horse that draws always gets the whip. (German,
French, Italian).
Don't bite till you know whether it is bread or a stone. (Italian).
One basket of grapes does not make a vintage. (Italian).
One devil does not make hell. (Italian).
Out of the mire into the brook. (Italian).
Good preachers give fruits not flowers. (Italian).
Still waters breed worms. (Italian).
The pan says to the pot "Keep off or you'll smutch me."
(Italian).
He that has a roof of glass should not throw stones at his
neighbor. (Spanish, Danish, Italian, German, Dutch).
Let him that hath a glass skull not take to throwing stones.
(Italian).
To offer honey to one who owns beehives. (Spanish,
Portuguese, Italian).
To strip one altar to cover another. (Italian).
What you can't have, abuse. (Italian).
When the cat is not in the house the rats (or mice) dance.
(Italian).
If you have money to throw away set on workmen and
don't stand by. (Italian).
One cannot drink and whistle at the same time. (Italian).
You cannot damage a wrecked ship. (Italian).
You cannot draw blood from a turnip. (Italian).
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following Italian proverbs were taken from the book, "CLASSICAL AND FOREIGN QUOTATIONS, LAW TERMS AND MAXIMS, PROVERBS, MOTTOES, PHRASES, AND EXPRESSIONS FRENCH, GERMAN, GREEK, ITALIAN, LATIN, SPANISH, AND PORTUGUESE" [selected] by WM. FRANCIS HENRY KING (LONDON: WHTTAKER and SONS, 1889)
6. A ben conoscer la natura dei popoli, convien esser principe,
ed a conoscer ben quella dei principi convien esser
popolare. (It.)
- To be well acquainted with the dispositions of a people, one should be a prince ; and to know well the disposition of a prince, one should be of the people.
30. A causa perduta parole assai. (It.) Prov.
- Words in plenty when the cause is lost. Plenty of advice when it
is useless.
90. Ad ogni santo la sua torcia or candela. (It.)
? Every saint is torch or candle. Every one should have his proper
honours and precedence allowed him. A compliment should be paid to all.
91. Ad ogni uccello suo nido e bello. (It.) Prov.
? Every bird thinks its own nest beautiful. Be it never so humble, there's no place like home. ? J. H. Payne, Opera of Clari.
92. Ad ognuno par piu grave la croce sua. (It.) Prov.
? Every one thinks his own cross the heaviest.
227. Ama l'amico tuo col vizio suo. (It.) Prov.
? Love your friend with his faults.
244. Amico d'ognuno, amico di nessuno. (It.) Prov.
? Everyone's friend is no one's friend. "A favourite has no
friends." ? Gray.
274. Anche il mar, che e si grande, si pacifica. (It.) Prov.
? Even the sea, for all it is so great, grows calm. The most
hot-tempered man is sometimes cool.
275. Anche la rana morderebbe se avesse denti. (It.) Prov.
? Even the frog would bite if it had teeth.
278. A nemico clie fugge, fa un ponte d'oro. (It.)
? Make a bridge of gold for an enemy who is flying from you.
Facilitate the natural disappearance of any evil.
384. Assai ben balla, a chi fortuna suona. (It.) Prov. ? He
dances well enough who has fortune for his fiddler.
Prosperity lightens the heels as well as the heart.
495. Bella femmina che ride, vuol dir borsa che piange. (It.) Prov.
? A beautiful woman smiling means a purse weeping.
The purse must shed its contents to ensure the continuance of the lady's smiles.
513. Berretta in mano non fece mai danno. (It.) Prov.
? Cap in hand never yet did a man harm. Politeness is never
thrown away.
519. Bisogna amar l'amico con i suoi difetti. (It.)
? We must love our friend with all his defects. We must take him,
failings and all.
523. Bologna la grassa, Firenze la bella, Genova la superba,
Lucca l'industriosa, Mantua la gloriosa, Milano la grande,
Padova la forte, Pavia la dotta, Verona la degna. (It.)
? Bologna the rich (or fat), Florence the beautiful, Genoa
the superb, Lucca the busy, Mantua the glorious, Milan
the grand, Padua the strong, Pavia the learned, Verona
the worthy. The celebrated cities of North Italy, with
their distinguishing titles.
715. Che non men che saver, dubbiav m'aggrata. (It.) Dante, Inf.
Ignorance not less than knowledge charms.
720. Chi compra ha bisogno di cent occhi,
Chi vende n'ha assai di uno. (It.) Prov.
? He who buys requires an hundred eyes,
while he who sells has occasion only for one.
721. Chi compra terra, compra guerra. (It.) Prov.
? Who buys land, buys war (trouble); who buys soil, buys moil.
722. Chi 6 causa del suo mal, pianga se stesso. (It.)
? Let him who is the cause of his own misfortunes bewail his own
folly. No one else will pity him.
723. Chi fa il conto senza l'oste, gli convien farlo due volte. (It.)
? He who reckons without his host must reckon over again.
724. Chi ha il lupo per compagno, port' il cane sotto il mantello.(It.) ? He who keeps company with a wolf should carry a dog under his cloak.
725. Chi lingua ha, a Roma va. (It.)
? He who has a tongue goes to Rome. He who has a tongue in his head may go anywhere.
726. Chi mal commincia peggio finisce. (It.) Prov.
? He who begins badly, generally ends worse.
727. Chi niente sa, di niente dubita, (It.) Prov.
? He who knows nothing, doubts nothing. It has been said of some
that "they know too much for their peace."
728. Chi non ha testa abbia gambe. (It.)
? He who has no head, should have legs. If you cannot save yourself by your head (wits), you must by your heels.
729. Chi piu intende, piu perdona. (It.) Prov.
? The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
730. Chi prende, si vende. (It.) Prov.
? Who takes a present, sells himself.
731. Chi serve al commune serve nessuno. (It.)
? He who serves the public, serves no one. Services performed are soon
forgotten, and the public are in general ungrateful.
732. Chi ti fa carezze piu che non suole,
O t'ha ingannato, o ingannar ti vuole. (It.) Prov.
? He who bestoves on you more attentions than usual, either
has deceived you, or has the intention to do so.
733. Chi troppo abbraccia nulla stringe. (It.) Prov.
? He who grasps too much, will hold nothing.
734. Chi va piano va sano, e chi va sano va lontano. (It.) Prov.
? He who goes gently travels in safety, and goes far
in the day. Slow and sure.
735. Chi vuol vada, chi non vuol mandi. (It.)
? He who whistles something done, let him go himself ; lie who is indifferent about it, let him send another. If you want a thing done,
do it yourself.
1247. Donne, asini e noci Voglian le mani atroci. (It.) Prov.
? Women, asses, and nuts require strong hands.
1361. E mala cosa esser cattivo, ma e peggiore esser conosciuto. (It.) Prov.
? It is a bad thing to be a rascal, but worse to be found out.
2027. I gran dolori sono muti. (It.) Prov.
? Great sorrows are dumb. The grief is "too deep for tears."
2028. I guadagni mediocri empiono la borsa. (It.)
? Moderate profits fill the purse.
2037. II buon mercato vuota la borsa. (It.)
? Great bargains empty the purse.
2038. II buono e buono, ma il meglio vince. (It.) Prov.
? Good is good, but better gains the day.
2066. II fuoco non s'estingue con fuoco. (It.) Prov.
? Fire is not extinguished by fire.
2514. La donna e mobile. (It.) Opera of Rigoletto, Verdi. ?
Woman is an inconstant thing. Cf. Varium et mutabile
semper Feinina. (L.) Virg. A. 4, 569.
2548. La lingua batte dove la dente duole. (It.) Prov.
? The tongue strikes where the tooth aches.
2615. L'asino che ha fame mangia d'ogni strame. (It.) Prov.
? The ass that is hungry will eat any kind of litter.
2616. La speranza e l'ultima ch'abbandona l'infelice. (It.) Prov.
? Hope is the last to abandon the unhappy.
2640. Le bestemmie fanno come le processioni ; ritornano donde
partirono. {It.) Prov.
? Curses are like religious processions, they come back whence they set out.
3000. Meglio amici da lontano che nemici d'appresso. (It.)
? It is better to be friends at a distance, than enemies near to
each other.
4887. Tanto buon, che val niente. (It.) Prov.
? So good as to be good for nothing.
4937. Terra innanzi, e terra poi. (It.) Prov.
? Earth to begin with, and earth to end with. Man's history.
| Contributed by: Courtesy of www.archive.org
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following list of Italian proverbs was taken from the book, "Proverbi Spiegati al Popolo" edited by Fanny Ghedini Bortolotti (Milan: Treves, 1869). The translations were done by Mary Melfi with the help of Google's free translation service at www.translte.google.com. For Bortolotti's book visit www.archive.org.
1. E. Voice of the people, the voice of God.
I. Voce di popolo, voce di Dio.
2. E. Those who help themselves, God helps.
I. Aiutati che io ti aiuterd (dice il Signore), ovvero:
chi si aiuta, Dio l'aiuta.
3. E. God doesn't always pay up on Saturdays, but on Sundays He gives a part to everybody.
I. Dio non sempre paga al sabato, ma la domenica e del pari con tutti.
4. E. The weddings of scoundrels doesn't last long.
I. Le nozze dei furfanti duran poco.
5. E. Got lets things go, but doesn't overdo it.
I. Dio lascia fare, ma non strafare.
6. E. The Lord has long arms.
I. II Signore ha le braccia lunghe.
7. E. In time God works.
I. In un' ora, Dio lavora.
8. E. Who has patience everywhere he goes, does not do little, does not do little.
I. Chi ha pazienza in ogni loco, non fa poco, non fa
Poco.
9. E. The virtue and patience of donkeys.
I. La pazienza e la virtu degli asini.
10.E. With patience one acquires knowledge.
I. Colla pazienza si acquista scienza.
11. E. The spur stings, but it makes you run.
I. Lo sprone punge, ma fa correre.
13. E. By falling we learn to stand up.
I. A furia di cadere s'impara a stare in piedi.
14. E. Those who prick themselves with a needle, learn to sew. (Learn by doing).
I. Chi si punge impara a cucire.
17. E. Who goes fast, goes slowly.
I. Chi ha fretta vada adagio.
19. E. Who goes slowly, goes far and in one piece.
I. Chi va piano, va sano e va lontano.
20. E. Embrace those who want to make a good voyage.
I. S'imbarchi adagio chi vuole buon viaggio.
21. E. So far so good is rare.
I. Presto e bene, raro avviene.
23. E. Those who sleep don't catch fish.
I. Chi dorme non piglia pesce.
24. E. Diligence is the mother of prosperity.
I. La vigilanza e la madre della prosperita.
25. E. Who has time doesn't wait for it.
I. Chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo.
26. E. Who is late arrives badly.
I. Chi tardi arriva male alloggia.
27. E.What you have to do today, don't put it off for tomorrow.
I. Cio che hai da far quest'oggi, non metterlo a domani.
28. E. First come, first grind.
I. Chi primo arriva, prima macina.
29. E. Stagnant water, either smells or is wanting.
I. Acqua che stagna, o puzza o magagna.
30. E. Lies have short legs.
I. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte.
31. E. It is easier to tell who is a liar than who is a cripple.
I. Si conosce piu presto un bugiardo che uno zoppo.
32. E. Who is a liar is a thief.
I. Chi e bugiardo e ladro.
33. E. The truth always comes to the surface.
I. La verita viene sempre a galla.
34. E. The truth can be buried, but it cannot die.
I. La verita si puo seppellire, ma non puo morire.
35. E. Truth is pleasing to God and to men (as well).
I. La verita piace a Dio e agli uomini.
38. E. Who washes the head of a donkey, is wasting soap.
I. Chi lava la testa all'asino, sciupa il ranno ed il sapone.
40. E. Poverty can turn one into a coward.
I. Poverta fa vilta.
42. E. You could know a lot, but it doesn't help if you don't use it.
I. Ben puoi sapere, ma non ti vale senza avere.
43. E. The poor are always wrong.
I. II povero ha sempre torto.
45. E. When you need something badly, honestly goes out the window.
I. Quando il bisogno picchia all' uscio, l'onesta
si butta dalla finestra.
46. E. Who has not, is not.
I. Chi non ha, non e.
47. E. There is no greater thief than a bad book.
I. Non c'e maggior ladro di un cattivo libro.
48. E. A book that is accurate is better than a book that is beautiful.
I. E meglio ua libro corretto che bello.
49. E. A comet in the sky, disgrace on earth.
I. Cometa in cielo, disgrazia in terra.
50. E. When the cat is out of the house, all the mice dance.
I. Quando il gatto e fuor di casa, tutti i sorci ballano.
51. E. Having a crazy person in one's own house is more valuable than have ten wise ones in in some else's house.
I. Val piu un matto in casa sua, che dieci savi in casa altrui.
52. E. The good husband makes for a good wife.
I. II buon marito fa la buona moglie.
53. E. The good wife makes for a good husband.
I. La bue moglie fa il buon marito.
55. E. He who resembles you, you'll take.
I. Chi si assomiglia si piglia.
56. E. When dealing with a husband you need prudence, with wife, patience.
I. Nel marito prudenza e nella moglie pazienza.
57. E. Each screw wants his pole (Each one is looking for his match).
I. Ogni vite vuole il suo palo.
58. E. Those who chose their partners for love, will leave each other out of anger.
I. Chi per amore si piglia, per rabbia si lascia.
59. E.Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, storm and hail.
I. Suocera e nuora, tempesta e gragnuola.
60. E. Tell me who you frequent with, and I'll tell you who you are.
I. Dimmi con chi tu pratichi e ti diro chi sei.
62. E. He who is mixed up in coal gets stained.
I. Chi sta in mezzo al carbone si tinge.
63. E. Praise the sea, and wait by the shore.
I. Loda il mare e attienti al lido.
64. E. God sees and will provide for.
I. Dio vede e Dio provede.
65. E. God sends the cold according to the clothes.
I. Dio manda il freddo secondo le vesti.
66. E. Not a leaf moves that God does not want it to.
I. Non si muove foglia che Dio non voglia.
68. E. The devil's flour goes into the bran.
I. La farina del diavolo va tutta in crusca.
69. E. The devil teaches you to steal, but not how to hide.
I. II diavolo insegna a rubare, ma non a na-
scondere.
70. E. The devil teaches you how to act, but not how to endure.
I. II diavolo insegna a fare, ma non a durare.
71. E. The devil can make the pot, but not the lid.
I. II diavolo sa fare la pignatta, ma non il coperchio.
72. E. Who is not afraid of the devil is not lucky in life.
I. Chi ha paura del diavolo non fa fortuna.
74. E. He who wants too much, doesn't get anything.
I. Chi troppo vuole, nieote ha.
75. E. The bow too tight, breaks.
I. L'arco troppo teso, si spezza.
76. E. Who pulls too hard, breaks.
I. Chi troppo tira, rompe.
78. E. Every baby brings with him a full basket.
I. Ogni bambino porta seco il cestellino.
79. E. Where there is childhood, there is Providence.
I. Dove ci e infanzia, c'e Provvidenza.
80. E. Who endures win.
I. Chi dura , vince.
81. E. The man who is strong does not lose his fortune.
I. Uomo che dura non perde sua ventura.
82. E. Those who persevere get work.
I. L'ostinato vince lavaro.
83. E. The continuous drop eventually cracks the rock.
I. La goccia continua rompe la pietra.
85. E. The habit does not make the monk.
I. La tonaca non fa il monaco.
86. E. All that glitters is not gold.
I. Tutto cio che luce non e oro.
87. E. Looks can be deceiving.
I. L'apparenza inganna.
88. E. Trust is good, not to trust is better.
I. Fidarsi e bene, non fidarsi e meglio.
89. E. Better a live donkey, than a dead doctor.
I. Meglio un asino vivo, che un dottore morto.
90. E. Books and bouquets of flowers are made for gentlemen.
I. I libri e il pan di fiore son fatti pei signori.
91. E. He who digs a pit for others will fall in it.
I. Chi scava la fossa agli altri, vi cade pel
primo.
92. E. What does it, can expect it (What goes around, comes around).
I. Chi la fa, l'aspetti.
93. E. Deception rules in the house of the ignorant.
I. L'inganno torna in casa dell'ingannatore.
94. E. What you sow, you reap.
I. Come si sparge tal si raccoglie.
96. E. Who doesn't know how to sow, reaps nothing.
I. Chi male semina, rnab miete.
97. E. He who prepares to hurt others, ends up hurting himself.
I. Chi prepara impiastri per altri, finisce pien
di piaghe.
99. E. He who predicts trouble is never wrong.
I. Chi guai predice, non sbaglia mai.
100. E. He who leaves the old road for the new, regrets it if he has to return.
I. Chi lascia la via vecchia per la nuova, pen-
tito si ritrova.
102. E. Money and holiness, half of half.
I. Denari e santita, meta della meta.
103. E. Joke with the knaves, and leave alone the saints.
I. Scherza coi fanti e lascia stare i santi.
105. E. How poor is the house that has no old people in it
I. Povera quella ca (casa) che di vecchio non sa.
106. E. Only God has no faults.
I. Senza difetti non v'e che Dio.
107. E. Very right has its reverse (There are two sides to everything.)
I. Ogni dritto ha il suo rovescio.
108. E. Even the sun has its spots.
I. Anche il sole ha le sue macchie.
109. There is no rose without a thorn.
I. Non v'e rosa senza spine.
110. E. Every man has his fault.
I. Ogni uomo ha il suo difetto.
111. E. Accept your friend with his faults.
I. Godi l'amico tuo col difetto suo.
117. E. Can't be a villain without malice.
I. Non fu mai villano senza malizia.
118. E. With a villan you can't shake hands.
I. Col villano non allargar la mano.
119. E. He who works with a villain, spits in your hands.
I. Chi fa servizio al villano, si sputa in mano.
120. E. Yoke the horses, whistle to the dogs and stick it to the villains.
I. Sprone ai cavalli, fischio ai cani e bastone
ai villani.
121. E. Beat the villain if you want him as a friend.
I. Batti il villano se lo vuoi amico.
122. E. The villain who is never satisfied, you'll not get any favor or gratitude from.
I. Al villan che mai si sazia, non usar favor
ne grazia.
123. E. Every bird loves his own nest.
I. Ogni uccello ama il suo nido.
124. E. May god help me from the prescriptions of doctors, and the documents of notaries.
I. Dio mi guardi dai recipe de' medici, e dagli eccetera dei notai.
125. E. Command who can, and obey who have to.
I. Comandi chi puo e obbedisca chi deve.
128. E. Who falls, learns how to get up.
I. Chi fa falla, e fallando s'impara.
130. E. A true friend is a real treasure.
I. Un vro amico vale un tesoro.
131. E. Everyone's friend, no one's friend.
I. Amico di tutti, amico di nessuno.
133. E. A friend is more valuable than 100 relatives.
I. Vale piu un amico, che cento parenti.
134. E. Before choosing a friend, split with him the salt of seven years.
I. Prima di scegliere un amico, dividi seco il
sale sette anni.
135. E. Friendship based on money, canteen and drinking, is not worth anything and doesn't last.
I. Amico di borsa, di mensa e di ventura niente vale e poco dura.
136. E. Who is ashamed of working, should also be ashamed of eating.
I. Chi si vergogna di lavorare, abbia vergna di mangiare.
137. E. Who tires easily, will not be fortunate.
I. Chifugge fatica, fugge fortune.
138. E. Who doesn't work, isn't born.
I. Chi non lavorare, non nasca.
140. E. The effort generates science, idleness dementia.
I. La fatica genera scienza , e l'ozio fa demenza.
141. E. Beat the clothes, and the witch comes out.
I. A battere i panni, compare la strega.
142. E. Those who cannot pretend, cannot reign.
I. Chi non sa fingere, non sa regnare.
145. E. Arms bring peace.
I. L'armi portan pace.
146. E. Who does only for himself, is lost.
I. Chi fa per se, fa pertre.
147. E. A good death, honors life.
I. Un bel morir tutta la vita onora.
148. E. At the table no one gets old.
I. A tavola non s'invecchia.
150. E. You have to eat to live, not live to eat.
I. Si ha da mangiar per vivere, non vivere
per mangiare.
151. E. The tongue has no bones, but it can break you.
I. La lingua non ha osso, ma rompe il dosso.
153. E. Flies don't enter a mouth that is closed (Better to say nothing).
I. In bocca chiusa non entran mosche.
155. E. He who knows a lot, says little.
I. Molto sa, chi tacer sa.
158. E. Who gets into trouble misery accompanies him.
I. Chi a lite si avvicina, a miseria s'incammina.
161. E. Who does not think first, finally sighs.
I. Chi prima non pensa, in ultimo sospira.
162. E. Who has a good start, starts things going.
I. Chi ben comincia, e alia meta dell' opera.
164. E. Who kneels has the devil in his heart.
I. II giocafore ha il diavolo in cuore.
165. E. Don't start playing if you don't want to take any risks.
I. Non ti mettere a giocare, se non vuoi pericolare.
166. E. Wins by himself who does not play.
I. Vince solo chi non gioca.
167. E. Not all temptations come from the devil.
I. Non tutte le tentazioni vengono dal diavolo.
169. E. The devil doesn't argue by himself.
I. II diavolo non litiga mai da solo.
170. E. A happy man, heaven helps.
I. Uomo allegro, il Ciel l'aiuta.
171. E. Laughter makes for good health and a beautiful face.
I. II riso fa buon sangue, e bel viso.
174. E. Who sews has a shirt, and who doesn't has two.
I. Chi cuce ha una camicia, e chi non cuce ne
ha due.
175. E. Who works has a hump, and who steals has clothing.
I. Chi lavora fa la gobba, e chi ruba fa la robba.
176. E. Those who don't love animals, don't love people.
I. Chi non ama le bestie, non ama i cristiani.
177. E. Those who mistreat animals, has never done any good.
I. Chi maltratta le bestie, ncn la fa mai bene.
178. E. Even the animals God has made.
I. Anche le bestie le ha fatte il Signore.
179. E. Who loves well, is always correct.
I. Chi ben ama, assai corregge.
180. E. A pious doctor makes the wound incurable.
I. II medico pietoso fa la piaga incurabile.
| Contributed by: English translations, Mary Melfi; Italian text, courtesy of www.archive.org
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following proverb was taken from the book, "Proverbi verificat per l'esperienza cotidiana" by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Augsburg: Kolb, 1718).
Averti chi dio ti vedi. | Contributed by: Courtesy of Google
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following proverb was taken from the book, "Proverbi verificat per l'esperienza cotidiana" by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Augsburg: Kolb, 1718).
Odi, vedi e taci seuoi viver in pacer. | Contributed by: Courtesy of www.archive.org
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following proverb was taken from the book, "Proverbi verificat per l'esperienza cotidiana" by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Augsburg: Kolb, 1718).
I. Cader non puo, chi ha la virtu per guida.
E. Listen to him who wants to guide you. | Contributed by: Courtesy of www.archive.org
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following proverb was taken from the book, "Proverbi verificat per l'esperienza cotidiana" by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Augsburg: Kolb, 1718).
I. L'inuida fa alli altri la fossa, e ella vi casca dentro.
E. Make a pit forothers, and you will fall into it yourself. | Contributed by: Courtesy of www.archive.org
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Italy | | Date: Centuries-old | Notes: The following proverb was taken from the book, "Proverbi verificat per l'esperienza cotidiana" by Giuseppe Maria Mitelli (Augsburg: Kolb, 1718).
I. Chi si crede esser piu savio di gli altri quello e piu pazzo di tutti.
E. He who thinks himself the wisest is the craziest of them all. | Contributed by: Courtesy of www.archive.org
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