Proverbs 3: limping, enjoying life, and others
  • Max2013 March 2012
    So, we had 2 rather long posts a few months back with some very common Italian proverbs, which also have interesting grammar in them. Here you can fine another three, which are more advanced (wisdom-wise) than the previous ones.

    Chi va con lo zoppo impara a zoppicare. Literally "He who goes with the cripple, learns how to limp." In English is "Bad company brings bad habit."

    Chi si accontenta, gode. "He who is satisfied/content, enjoys his life". In English "Enough is as good as a feast."

    Mentre la bella si pretende, la brutta si marita. Literally, it means something like this: "While the beautiful woman pretends, the ugly one gets married." Not sure if there is a counterpart in English. Any suggestions? 

    It is interesting to see how most of proverbs have a counterpart in many other languages -- well, apparently, wisdom is universal -- so, students, please post here your favorites ones (in English or other languages) and let see if there is an Italian counterpart. 

  • Christopher March 2012
    This one's almost the same in English and Italian:

    Cane che abbaia non morde. Barking dogs don't bite.

    Of course I've come across some dogs (and people) who both bark and bite, but it seems to be generally true.
  • Max2013 March 2012
    I walk very often a friend's dog (cane) -- a lovely terrier. She both bark and bite, particularly other dogs. Oh, of course, another popular saying in both English and Italian is Vita da cani (Dogs life)
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