The English definition of a proverb is, “A simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. Proverbs are often borrowed from similar languages and cultures, and sometimes come down to the present through more than one language. Both the Bible and medieval Latin have played a considerable role in distributing proverbs across Europe, although almost every culture has examples of its own.” This is according to “Wikipedia” the internet encyclopedia.

An Italian proverb also “expresses a truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity.” If you know the Italian language or Italians, you know that Italians have a way of expressing themselves that is uniquely Italian. An examination of several classic Italian proverbs will reveal if there is any “truth” to the supposed “truth based on Italian common sense.”

“A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.” The translation is, “To every bird, his own nest is beautiful.” It is a simple fact that most Italians take pride in their homes. This especially true if there is “no morggegio.” Or “no mortgage.” Just like every bird who thinks his own nest is beautiful, every Italian thinks that his home is beautiful. This is not being overly materialistic but it is indicative of the pride that Italians take in their home. After all, they came to Canada from Italy, their homeland, to make a better life for themselves and their families. A nice home is a symbol of economic success. This has cross cultural significance because people of all cultures can appreciate having a nice home. This is a great proverb that applies not only to Italians but to people in general.

“A tutto c’è rimedio, fuorchè alla morte.” The translation is, “There is a cure for everything except death.” How very true! Just about every problem that life has to offer can be solved except death. As long as you still have life in you to perseverve you can overcome all obstacles. This shows the no nonsense common sense basic truth that cannot be argued with. It is Italian wisdom that is indicative of the “fight” that Italians have in them. A lively feisty bunch of people that we are!

“Aiutati che Dio t’aiuta.” The translation is, “Help yourself and God will help you. God helps those who help themselves.” It is okay to pray for good things. However, you cannot just leave everything up to God. We are put on this earth to live and learn and can only do that if we help things along on a practical level. To continue to spend money foolishly and then expect God to help you out, is not only unwise, it is downright nonsense. God gives us the strength and courage to carry on with our lives. The message of this proverb is that you have to do the work yourself first and then God will help. We live in a modern world that is full of challenges. We do not live in a “fairy tale” world where God is ready to bail out people that do not first help themselves. This is good advice on both a spiritual and practical level.

“Belle parole non pascono i gatti.” The translation is, “Fine words don’t feed cats.”

Oh how true! Someone can talk eloquently about helping you out and promise you the moon and the stars. Until the words are backed up with concrete actions they are worthless, they “don’t feed cats.” There are a lot of people like that. Some people can talk up a storm and then follow up with no actions. Likewise, you can be promised many worldly goods but end out with nothing when the goods are not delivered. Only when something that was promised is “signed, sealed and delivered” is it of real value. Until that time comes there will be a lot of hungry cats out there!

“Chi pecora si fa, il lupo se la mangia.” The translation is, “Those who act like a sheep will be eaten by the wolf.” The people that are most successful in life do not act timid like sheep. They are aggressive people that go out and get what they want out of life. They have a great deal of self confidence. A person who acts like a sheep will get eaten by the more aggressive “wolf type” personalities out there. “Sheep type” people blindly follow the crowd. “Wolf type” people set the path for others to follow. In a room of highly successful people you will not hear anybody going, “Baa!”

“Cambiano i suonatori ma la musica è sempre quella.” The translation is, “The musicians change but the music remains the same.” This is true in life in that the players may change but the situation remains the same. Some people would apply this proverb to the political situation in Canada. In other words, the politicians that are in power change but things remain the same for Canada. Other people could apply this to their work situation in that the bosses or management change but their work story remains the same. Basically, the players in any situation can change but the same “music” plays. Change in life does not always bring about a complete change in your life story. And so the same music plays on!

“Chi bene incomincia è a metà dell’opera.” The translation is, “Well begun is half done.”

We are all faced with tasks, chores and projects that we put off because we really do not feel like doing them. Half the battle in these cases is starting the job. Once you get a good start, the task becomes less onerous. We may find how easy the task is once we actually start doing it. Before you know it the task is “half done!”

“Del male non fare e paura non avere.” The translation is, “Do no evil and have no fear.”

What is there to fear if you never do any evil? You do not have to worry about being punished by the law or by God’s law. Nobody is going to attack you verbally or phyiscally out of retaliation. Certainly good advice from a spritual and practical point of view. Doing evil produces negative energy. Negative energy has a way of coming back to you. It is better to do no evil and that way you will never have to live in fear!

“Finchè c’è vita c’è speranza.” The translation is, “Where there’s life, there’s hope.”

This shows Italian’s belief in an “undying optimism” that stands very strong up against doom and gloom pessimism. The basic requirement for hope in this case is “life.” As long as you can live and breathe you always can have some hope for the future. A fundamentally bright and cheerful message coming from Italians who tend to be cheerful people!

From this examination of classic Italian proverbs we can see that the proverbs contain a lot of homespun “folk wisdom.” The proverbs go even beyond that in that they contain valueable life lessons and a refined intelligence. The next time that you hear a classic Italian proverb, listen carefully for the proverbs have something to teach us!