Italian Proverbs
Every proverb in our collection, translated into Italian. Each entry pairs the original saying with its Italian translation, a literal rendering, and where it comes from.
- A chi vuole, non mancano modi — Determination will help you find a solution. Literally: Where there’s a will there’s a way.
- Due teste son migliori che una — Collaboration and diverse perspectives lead to better solutions. Literally: Two heads are better than one.
- Guarda innanzi che tu salti — Think carefully before acting. Literally: Look before you leap.
- È meglio tardi che mai — Doing something late is better than not doing it at all. Literally: Better late than never.
- Batti il ferro quando è caldo — Act quickly when the opportunity presents itself. Literally: Strike while the iron is hot.
- Assenza nemica di amore; quanto lontan dall’occhio, tanto dal cuore — We tend to forget things or people we don't see. Literally: Absence is a foe to love; out of sight out of mind.
- Vivi, e lascia vivere — Be tolerant of others' choices and lifestyles. Literally: Live and let live.
- Cader della padella nelle bragie — Escaping one bad situation only to end up in a worse one. Literally: To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire.
- Ogni rosa ha la sua spina — Even the best things have their drawbacks. Literally: Every rose has its thorn.
- Tutto è bene che riesce bene — A good outcome justifies the difficulties along the way. Literally: All’s well that ends well.
- Pietra mossa non fa muschio — Those who keep moving avoid stagnation (or commitments). Literally: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
- Gettar le margherite ai porci — Giving something valuable to those who can't appreciate it. Literally: To cast pearls before swine.
- Tutte le strade conducono a Roma — There are many ways to reach the same goal. Literally: All roads lead to Rome.
- La fame è il meglior intingolo — Food tastes better when you're truly hungry. Literally: Hunger is the best sauce.
- Nulla nuova, buona nuova — The absence of bad news is itself good news. Literally: No news is good news.
- Buon principio fa buon fine — How you start something largely determines how it will finish; preparation and intention matter. Literally: A good beginning makes a good ending.
- Natale non viene che una volta l’anno — Rare opportunities demand we cherish them fully rather than postpone joy or neglect what matters most. Literally: Christmas comes but once a year.
- Chi si marita in fretta, stenta adagio — (by extension) Joining (or merging) two things together too soon will lead to problems. Literally: Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
- Assai ben balla à chi fortuna suona — Success comes easily to those blessed with favorable circumstances rather than personal effort. Literally: He dances well to whom fortune pipes.
- Occhio che non vede, cuor che non duole — Ignorance of misfortune shields us from suffering its emotional weight. Literally: What the eye sees not the heart rues not.
- I matti fanno le feste, ed i savi le godono — Foolish spenders throw lavish parties while prudent people enjoy free entertainment without the financial burden. Literally: Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.
- A penna a penna si pela l’oca — Small incremental losses, ignored individually, accumulate into significant depletion over time. Literally: Feather by feather the goose is plucked.
- Dio ci manda la carne, ma il diavolo i cuochi — Abundance means nothing without the wisdom to use it well; poor execution ruins good fortune. Literally: God sends meat and the devil sends cooks.
- Quel che pare burla, ben sovente è vero — Humor provides cover for uncomfortable truths that people avoid stating seriously. Literally: Many a true word is spoken in jest.
- Tre donne e un papero fanno un mercato — Excessive noise and commotion from small groups can create an illusion of bustling activity or importance. Literally: Three women and a goose make a market.
- Chi fa il conto senza l’oste, gli convien farlo due volte — Failing to consult those involved in plans leads to miscalculation and necessary revision. Literally: He that reckons without his host must reckon again.
- Amor regge il suo regno senza spada — Affection maintains order and obedience more effectively than force or coercion ever could. Literally: Love rules his kingdom without a sword.
- Fare e dire son due cose — Words cost nothing, but actions require commitment, effort, and genuine intention to fulfill promises. Literally: Saying and doing are two things.
- Da stagione tutto è buono — Timing determines value—what flourishes in spring withers in winter, and forcing things out of season breeds waste and disappointment. Literally: Everything is good in its season.
- Una rondine non fa l’estate — A single favorable occurrence cannot establish a lasting pattern; sustained evidence requires repetition. Literally: One swallow does not make a summer.
- Pensa molto, parla poco, e scrivi meno — Excessive speech and writing scatter thought; silence preserves wisdom's clarity and power. Literally: Think much, speak little, and write less.
- Quando tuona, il ladro divien uomo dabbene — Fear of divine punishment temporarily reforms even the most dishonest when facing greater power. Literally: When it thunders, the thief becomes honest.
- Buon principio è la metà dell’opra — Starting with proper preparation and intention dramatically increases your likelihood of completing any task successfully. Literally: Well begun is half done.
- Assai romor e poca lana, disse colui che tosava la porca — Loud complaints about shearing yield disappointingly meager results, warning against mistaking noise for substance. Literally: Great cry and little wool, as the man said who shaved the sow.
- L’abito è una seconda natura — Habits ingrained through repetition become as automatic and instinctive as inborn traits. Literally: Custom is second nature.
- È meglio invidia che pietà — Living with others' jealousy over your success beats enduring their sympathy for your failure. Literally: Better be envied than pitied.
- Il pane mangiato è presto dimenticato — Past favors fade from memory unless gratitude is cultivated and reinforced through continued acknowledgment. Literally: Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
- Chi cerca mal, mal trova — Obsessing over potential dangers often manifests them through anxious behavior and poor judgment. Literally: Harm watch, harm catch.
- La mal erba cresce presto — Neglected problems and bad habits flourish faster than good ones require deliberate cultivation. Literally: Ill weeds grow apace.
- Le leggi sono fatte pei tristi — Honest people need no laws; restrictions exist only because dishonest people require external constraints. Literally: Laws were made for rogues.
- Finché vi è fiato vi è speranza — Despair closes doors only death truly opens; circumstances remain changeable while breath remains. Literally: While there’s life there’s hope.
- Simili con simili vanno — People naturally gravitate toward and trust those who share their values, interests, or circumstances. Literally: Like will to like.
- Chi ama me, ama il mio cane — Accept someone's flaws and attachments if you truly value them as a person. Literally: Love me, love my dog.
- Quando puoi aver del bene, pigliane — Accepting beneficial opportunities when they arise prevents missed chances that may not return. Literally: Never refuse a good offer.
- Alla pace si può sacrificar tutto — Compromising principles for peace often costs more than the temporary harmony it buys. Literally: Anything for a quiet life.
- Non v’è rosa senza spina — Beautiful things inherently carry pain or difficulty as inseparable companions in life. Literally: No rose without a thorn.
- Il secondo pensiero è il migliore — Hasty decisions often falter; pausing to reconsider reveals wiser paths forward. Literally: Second thoughts are best.
- A buon vino non bisogna frasca — Excellent quality requires no advertisement; genuine merit speaks for itself without promotional effort. Literally: Good wine needs no bush.
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