Top Ten Italian Proverbs

Italian humor is really quite funny. Whatever the occasion, no matter how sad, scandalous or joyous, they have an appropriate saying. While some reflect the Italian propensity towards superstition,  others are similar to popular English sayings, but put together in a way that is 100% made in Italy.

Here are ten of the most popular Italian “detti”.

1. Fatta la legge, trovato l’inganno

My personal favorite. For every law that is passed, a loophole is discovered.

2. Hai voluto la bicicletta, ora pedala!

You wanted the bicycle, now pedal! (in other words, you insisted on parking on the handicapped ramp, now you get to pay a 150 Euro fine!)

3. Cane che abbaia non morde

A barking dog rarely bites

4. Chi va con lo zoppo impara a zoppicare

He who walks with the cripple learns how to limp (be careful whose company you keep)

5. Il diavolo fa le pentole ma non le coperchie

Being shrewd and evil works to create the pots but not their covers

6. La gatta frettolosa fece I gattini ciechi

The hurried cat gives birth to blind kittens

7. L’ozio e’ il padre dei vizi

Sloth is the father of all sins

8. Non tutte le ciambelle escono con il buco

Not every doughnut has a hole (things don’t always turn out as planned)

9. Quando la neve si scioglie si scopre la mondezza

When the snow melts, the garbage below is revealed.

10. Dall’albero della pera non nasce una mela

An apple doesn’t grow on a pear tree (The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree)

These proverbs were collected with the assistance of barattelli.com (after all, we are in the business of Rome sightseeing and not proverb invention:)

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