Sicilian proverbs
Proverbs from all Sicilian speaking parts of the world.
C
- Chi la dura la vinci.
- Translation: He who perservers shall win.
- English equivalent: Perservere and never fear.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 127. ISBN 0415096243.
- Cui mali accumensa, peju finisci.
- English equivalent: A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
- Meaning: "It is as impossible that a system radically erroneous, once commenced, should end well, as it is that a mathematical problem, commenced wrong, should come out right."
- Source for meaning: William Henry Porter (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 202.
- Emanuel Strauss (1994). "1". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 1. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6.
E
- È tintu lu nudu, chiu tintu lu sulu, ma megghiu sulu chi mala accumpagnatu.
- English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
- "If the man who turnips cries,
Cry not when his father dies,
'Tis a proof that he had rather
Have a turnip than his father." - Samuel Johnson, Anecdotes of Samuel Johnson (1786)
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 572. ISBN 0415096243.
L
- Lu tempu è priziusu.
- Translation: Time is precious.
- English equivalent: There is nothing more precious than time.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1008. ISBN 0415096243.
M
- Medicu pietusu fa la chiaja verminusa.
- Translation: A pious doctor makes putrid wounds.
- English equivalent: Mild physician – putrid wounds/you need to crack an egg to make an omelet.
- Meaning: Telling harsh truths constructively (to yourself as well) and stern measures makes for a good figurative and literal cure. To say or do something for the greater good.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 710. ISBN 0415096243.
P
- Porta rispettu a lu locu unni stai.
- English equivalent: Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water.
- "People who can put themselves in the place of other people – who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for them."
- Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People (1934)
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 634. ISBN 0415096243.