I Proverbi da Ricordare - Proverbs to Remember

These proverbs have been passed down such a long way.  That's why their classic nature is worth preserving and sharing because they still teach us how to be wise!

Ogni riccio è un capriccio!

Literally - "every curl is a caprice." This refers to curly hair, said to be a sure sign of a capricious nature (red hair would have a similar connotation for an Englishman).

(Grazie a Li Iacobacci who also provided the history behind this - molto interessante!)

Nella vita - chi non rischia - non rosica.

Translation: In life: who risks nothing - gains nothing.
Equivalent meaning: In life: nothing ventured - nothing gained. 

(Grazie a Debbie Biamonte; shared via Facebook)

Tra il dire e il fare c'e di mezzo il mare.

Loose Translation: Talk is cheap.

(Grazie a Osama Mohy; shared via Facebook)

Tanto va la gatta al lardo che ci lascia lo zampino.

Loose translation: Curiosity kiled the cat.

(Grazie a Emma Running; shared via Facebook) 

Non è tutt'oro quel che luccica.

Translation: Not all that glitters is gold.

(Grazie a Rosanna Costanzo for sharing via Facebook e a Li Iacobacci for the translation.)

Rosso di mattina la pioggia si avvicina. Rosso di sera buon tempo si spera.

Literal translation:  Red sky in the morning, await rain.  Red sky in the evening, hope for good weather.

(Grazie a Virginia DiGirolamo for sharing; via Facebook)

Chi non stima la vita, non la merita. 

Literal translation: He who does not value life does not deserve it.

(Grazie a Frank L Varrica for sharing; via Facebook)

Please feel free to share these on our Italian Proverbs page on Facebook.   Not a fan of Facebook?  No problem, feel free to also submit some via email (modernitalian@modernitalian.org) and your proverb may get published in our next newsletter.  Grazie!

I Proverbi da Ricordare - Some Proverbs to Remember

We have gathered some new - yet old - proverbs to live by because we know you love them!  Please keep in mind that the very loose English translations are included, but do not sound as culturally rich as the ones originally written in Italian.  We welcome your versions of translations but more importantly want to hear more of your own Italian proverbs, quotes, and sayings!  Feel free to share them on our Facebook group page dedicated to proverbs, tweet them to @modernitalian or email them at modernitalian@modernitalian.org so we can share them with the community!

Fai bene e scordati, fai male e guardati. (Do good and forget it, do bad and watch your back).

Un pranzo senza il vino e’ come una giornata senza il sole. (A meal without wine is like a day without the sun).

Impara l’arte e mettila da parte. (Learn your skill and keep it to the side).

Vizio di natura fin alla morte dura. (A habit stays ‘til the death).

Per fare una bella insalata, poco aceto e assai ogliata.  (To make a good salad, use little vinegar and much olive oil).

Old Sayings from our Ancestors - More than Just Words

These are true words of wisdom. Simple phrases, simple words, most of which are in Italian dialects. More than anything else, these are pieces of history. These are small treasures that are to be preserved because for many of us, these are pieces of our childhood. More profoundly, they derive from the experiences of our ancestors, most of whom are no longer with us. Their words, however, remain instilled in our memories and have probably become part of our identities and personalities. Thank you to all of you who have been sharing little pieces of your own history with us. Please keep them coming in!

“’Bon come na fette de pane’ Good like a piece of bread said of someone who has integrity” – Toni Stanfield

“Mia nonna dice, ‘Che puo fa? Fa niente!’ My grandmother would say, ‘What can you do? You can't do nothing!’ That was her motto for anything gone wrong! She'd look right at you, shrug her shoulders, put her hands out...’Eh, che puo fa? Fa niente!’ Loved it! Miss you Fannie!” – Claire Cookie Perri Mielnicki

“’Mangia e statti zitto!’ My grandmother would always yell ‘mangia e statti zitto’ at my grandfather across the dinner table.” – Bob Abbate

“My Mom used to tell us that ‘chi vuole mangiare troppo non mangierà niente’ which she explained meant that: ‘If you are greedy and continue to gamble to get more or spend more than you make, you will end up with nothing to eat at all.’ I can't tell you how many times these words would come true. My sisters and I laugh...” – Anna Gallerizzo Colandreo


These quotes were taken from our Facebook Group Page Italian Proverbs, Phrases, Sayings, and Quotes! Please share!