ProverbWisdom
Italian origin
Italian originSe gioventù sapesse, se vecchiaia potesse
Meaning: The young lack experience and the old lack strength.
Literally: If youth only knew, if old age only could
Example: “A vent'anni avevo l'energia ma non l'esperienza, ora il contrario. Se gioventù sapesse, se vecchiaia potesse.” — At twenty I had the energy but not the experience, now it's the reverse: if youth only knew, if age only could.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, and German
English: Life is half spent before we know what it is.
French: La vie est moitié usée avant qu’on ne sache ce qu’est la vie (literally: Life is half spent before one knows what life is)
Spanish: Si la juventud supiera, si la vejez pudiera (literally: If youth only knew, if old age only could)
German: Wenn die Jugend wüsste, wenn das Alter könnte (literally: If youth only knew, if old age only could)
Origin: The Italian form of a line by the French scholar Henri Estienne in Les Prémices (1594): si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Sei in gamba You're sharp, capable, and on the ball.
- Sei un tesoro You're a darling — precious to have around.
- Testa di rapa A blockhead who isn't thinking.
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