A Dictionary of English and Italian Equivalent Proverbs
Teodor Flonta
DeProverbio.com
Copyright
2011 Teodor Flonta
Smashwords Edition
INTRODUCTION
From
time immemorial proverbs have fascinated people of all ages and from
all walks of life. As it happened throughout centuries, common people
today still avail themselves of the proverb’s rich oral tradition
to convey their culture and values, while scholars collect and study
them from a wide range of angles: linguistic, social, psychological,
political... Although the problem of proverb definition is still
open, it is broadly accepted that proverbs were born from experience
and that they generally express, in a very succinct way, common-sense
truths, give sound advice and reflect the human condition. But, as we
know and as this dictionary proves, human nature is both good and bad
and the latter is often mirrored by discriminatory proverbs, be they
against women, different nationalities or particular social groups.
For a thorough discussion of proverb definition, see Popular
Views of the Proverb (www.deproverbio.com)
by Prof. Wolfgang Mieder.
As to the origin of proverbs we tend to assume that they were born in times when human society began to self-impose rules and embrace principles necessary for communal living. Research can trace them back only to the time when language was recorded by means of some type of writing. The Sumerian civilisation of more than five thousand years ago is the oldest known civilisation to have made use of proverbs, some of which have been passed on through its cuneiform inscriptions. One such proverb, in its Latin version, is “Canis festinans caecos parit catulos” which spread to other languages such as English, in the form “The hasty bitch brings forth blind whelps,” French, “La chienne dans sa hâte a mis bas des chiots aveugles,” Italian, “La gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi” (here the ‘bitch’ has been replaced by ‘cat’), Portuguese, “Cadelas apressadas parem cães tortos,” and Romanian, “Cateaua de pripa îsi naste cateii fara ochi.”
Given their widespread use over the millennia, it is no wonder that scholars of the past started assembling proverbs in collections. Aristotle is believed to be among the first paremiographers (collectors of proverbs), but, unfortunately, his collection was lost. In more recent times a great impetus to the collection of proverbs was given by Erasmus, whose fame spread from Venice throughout Europe after the publication in 1508 of his Adagiorum Chiliades which contained 3,260 proverbs drawn from classical authors. The success of the book led to several augmented editions culminating with that of 1536, revised by Erasmus himself, which contains 4,151 proverbs. Erasmus’ work was translated into several European languages and became the model for future proverb collections in those languages. The latter were, in turn, widely copied and translated. One good example of such a practice is the 1591 Italian collection Giardino di Ricreatione, nel quale crescono fronde, fiori e frutti, vaghe, leggiadri e soavi, sotto nome di sei miglia proverbii, e piacevoli riboboli Italiani, colti e scelti da Giovanni Florio, which appeared in French two decades later as Le Jardin de Récréation, au quel croissent rameaux, fleurs et fruits très beaux, gentils et souefs, soubz le nom de Six mille proverbes et plaisantes rencontres françoises, recueillis et triéez par GOMÈS DE TRIER, non seulement utiles mais délectables pour tous espritz désireux de la très-noble et copieuse langue françoise, nouvellement mis en lumière, à Amsterdam, par PAUL DE RAVESTEYN.
Apart from use on a wide scale in day-to-day speech, there is ample evidence that proverbs were essential tools in teaching and learning. The pedagogical use of proverbs was encountered first in Sumerian society and subsequently this use became widespread throughout Medieval Europe. In the preface to the first edition of the Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs, J. Heseltine states that proverbs and proverbial expressions are found in religious manuscripts of the first half of the eighth century. The aim of introducing proverbs into religious texts was to help novices to learn Latin, and this practice became widespread by the tenth century. The use of proverbs in teaching and learning was not circumscribed to England. Relatively new research attests to the use of proverbs in teaching in the eleventh century in Liège, France. In Italy the famous medical School of Salerno of the eleventh century formulated medical precepts which later became proverbs adopted by different cultures, such as “Post prandium stabis, post coenam ambulabis” translated “After dinner sit awhile, after supper walk a mile” in English, “Après dîner repose un peu, après souper promène une mille” in French, “Dopo pranzo riposar un poco, dopo cena passeggiar un miglio” in Italian, “Después de yantar reposad un poco, después de cenar pasead una milla” in Spanish and “Depois de jantar, dormir; depois de cear, passos mil” in Portuguese.
Joanna Wilson, in her Introduction to the third edition of The Oxford Dictionary of English Proverbs, said, regarding the foreign proverbs’ contribution to the English proverbial stock, that “these enriched our language, for many proverbs of foreign origin were quickly absorbed into English life and these have a rightful place in an English dictionary.” And, indeed, a close scrutiny of that dictionary reveals that more than two hundred and fifty proverbs are listed as first existing in Italian. This is also true for other modern languages, particularly French and Spanish. The translation is not always literal; at times it is adapted to the new language and the resulting proverb is often enriched in its expression, for instance the Latin “Homo sine pecunia est imago mortis” (A man without money is the image of death) is rather closely translated in Italian as “Uomo senza quattrini è un morto che cammina”(A man without money is a dead man walking), but in English the metaphor changes and the proverb becomes “A man without money is a bow without an arrow,” in French “Un homme sans argent / Est un loup sans dents” (A man without money is a wolf without teeth) where an element of rhyme is introduced, while the Rumanian adaptation is a real poetic gem “Omul fara bani e ca pasarea fara aripi; Când da sa zboare / Cade jos si moare” (A man without money is like a bird without wings; When he tries to fly / He falls down and dies). The concept is essentially the same: the man without money lacks something important...
But from use comes abuse, as a Spanish proverb says, and there is no doubt that the capacity of the proverb to convey universal truths concisely led to their abuse and manipulation. Hitler and his Nazi regime employed proverbs as emotional slogans for propaganda purposes and encouraged the publication of anti-semitic collections of proverbs. For a thorough analysis of this phenomenon, please read the fascinating article “... as if I were the master of situation.” Proverbial Manipulation in Adolf Hitler (www.deproverbio.com) by Prof. Wolfgang Mieder. At the opposite end of the political spectrum, communist regimes of the past have not only manipulated proverbs, but also ‘purged’ popular collections of features which did not reflect their political ends. The former Soviet regime is at the forefront of such actions. One type of manipulation described by Jean Breuillard in Proverbes et pouvoir politique: Le cas de l’U.R.S.S. (published in “Richesse du proverbe”, Eds. François Suard and Claude Buridant. Lille: Université de Lille, 1984. II, 155-166) consisted in modifying ancient proverbs like “La vérité parcourt le monde” (Truth spreads all over the world) into “La vérité de Lénine parcourt le monde” (Lenin’s truth spreads all over the world) where the new ‘creation’ is unequivocably charged with a specific ideological message. Manipulation did not stop at individual proverbs, it extended to entire collections. The first Soviet edition (1957) of Vladimir Dal’s mid-nineteen century collection of Russian proverbs reduces the proverbs containing the word God from 283 to 7 only, while proverbs which express compassion for human weaknesses, such as alcoholism, disappear altogether. In more recent years, in Ceausescu’s Romania, the 1985 edition of Proverbele românilor (published in 1877 by I. C. Hintescu) suffered the same treatment: more than 150 proverbs were eliminated or changed in order to respond rigidly to the communist ideology.
In spite of their ups and downs, proverbs and their study are alive and well today as illustrated by the hundreds of studies and collections published every year all over the world. For a bibliography of the most recent publications see the invaluable international bibliographies (www.deproverbio.com) published each year by Prof. Wolfgang Mieder.
While proverbs are still used today in a traditional way, that is in speech, literature and teaching, they have found a new ever expanding use in the advertising industry and in the mass media. Proverbs like “Here today, gone tomorrow” become “Hair today, gone tomorrow” in the hair-removal industry, while the mass media has a variety of paraphrases such as “Hear today, gone tomorrow,” “Heir today, gone tomorrow.” Before the Barcelona Olympic Games the old proverb “All roads lead to Rome” became “All roads lead to... Barcelona” in many English language newspapers and magazines. This is a phenomenon encountered in many languages nowadays and is undoubtedly a sign of the proverb’s resilience and vitality.
* * *
This dictionary assembles 2,513 English proverbs and their Italian equivalents. Equivalent proverbs are those which express the same concept, be it literally, such as “Love is blind” = “L’amore è cieco,” or with completely different words, such as“Every cloud has a silver lining” = “Non tutto il male viene per nuocere.”
The Dictionary is a very useful reference tool for scholars of the two languages, for researchers working in various associated fields such as linguistics, literature, folklore, anthropology, psychology, sociology, history, and for workers in newer areas such as advertising and contemporary media. The Dictionary is also of interest to diplomats and politicians who try to improve their communication by sharing ideas formulated in some common meaningful expressions; it will assist interpreters and translators, and teachers and students for whom it is important to understand not only what the target culture expresses in the same way as their own, but also what is formulated in a different way. The Dictionary is also of benefit to non-professionals who, for the sheer enjoyment of it, wish to savour the wisdom, wit, poetry and the colourful language of proverbs.
DICTIONARY
A
1
ABSENCE makes the heart grow fonder.
Se
vuoi che ti ami, fa che ti brami.
Sim. Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it.
2
The ABSENT are always in the wrong.
Chi
è assente ha sempre torto.
Gli assenti hanno sempre torto.
Var. He is neither absent without fault, nor present without excuse.
3
ABUNDANCE of things engenders disdainfulness.
L'abbondanza
genera fastidio.
Cf. TOO MUCH breaks the bag / You can have TOO MUCH of a good thing.
4
Out of the ABUNDANCE of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Per
l'abbondanza del cuor la bocca parla.
Var.
Out of the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.
Cf.
What the HEART thinks, the tongue
speaks.
o Matthew 12, 34 / Matteo 12, 34; Luke 6, 45 / Luca 6, 45
5
There is no ACCOUNTING for tastes.
Dei
gusti non se ne disputa.
Sim.
Everyone as they like best.
Cf.
Every man to his TASTE / TASTES
differ.
6
ACQUAINTANCE of the great will I naught, for first or last, dear it
will be bought.
Amor di signore e
vin di fiasco, se la mattina è buono, la sera è guasto.
Sim.
Great men's favours are
uncertain.
Cf. A
king's FAVOUR is no inheritance.
7
ACTIONS speak louder than words.
I
fatti contano più delle parole.
Contano più i fatti che le
parole.
Val più un fatto che cento parole.
Cf. DEEDS, not words.
8
When ADAM delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?
Quando
Adamo zappava ed Eva filava, dov'era il primo nobile?
9
We are all ADAM's children.
Tutti
siamo figli di Adamo ed Eva.
Veniamo tutti da Adamo ed Eva.
Var.We are all Adam's children but silk makes the difference.
10
Much ADO about nothing.
Molto
rumore per nulla.
Cf. Much CRY and little wool.
11
ADVERSITY makes a man wise, not rich.
Danno
fa far senno.
Cf. EXPERIENCE is the mother of knowledge.
12
Good ADVICE is beyond all price.
A
buon consiglio non si trova prezzo.
Dono di consiglio più vale
che d'oro.
Sim. Good counsel has no price.
13
If you wish good ADVICE, consult an old man.
Chiedi
consiglio a chi è vecchio.
Consiglio di vecchio non rompe mai la
testa.
Fatti di giovani e consigli di vecchi.
Sim. If the old dog barks, he gives counsel.
14
Take the first ADVICE of a woman and not the second.
Il
primo consiglio della donna prendi.
La donna decide
all'improvviso, e l'uomo a caso pensato.
15
When a thing is done, ADVICE comes too late.
Dopo
il fatto il consiglio non vale.
Cf. When the HOUSE is burned down, you bring water / It is too late to shut the STABLE -DOOR after the horse has bolted / It is easy to be WISE after the event.
16
Write down the ADVICE of him who loves you, though you like it not at
present.
Consiglio di chi ti vuol
bene, scrivilo ancor che ti paia male.
17
AFFECTION blinds reason.
Affezione
accieca ragione.
Cf. LOVE is blind.
18
He that is AFRAID of wounds must not come nigh a battle.
Chi
ha paura, non vada alla guerra.
Sim.
He that is afraid of the wagging of
feathers must keep from among wild fowl / He that fears every grass
must not walk in a meadow.
Cf. He
that fears LEAVES, let him not go into the wood / He that forecasts
all PERILS will never sail the sea.
19
AGE is a heavy burden.
La
vecchiaia è una grave soma.
20
For AGE and want save while you may: no morning sun lasts a whole
day.
Chi fatica in gioventù gode
in vecchiaia.
È gran saviezza di risparmiar per la vecchiezza.
Sim.
Keep something for him that rides on
the white horse / Spare when you're young and spend when you're
old.
Cf. Make
ample PROVISION for old age / Keep SOMETHING for a rainy day.
21
Old AGE is sickness of itself.
La
vecchiaia è in se stessa una infermità.
Chi ha degli anni, ha
dei malanni.
Sim. An old man is a bed full of bones.
22
A lean AGREEMENT is better than a fat judgement.
Meglio
un magro accordo che una grassa sentenza.
Var. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel / A lean compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.
23
Autumnal AGUES are long or mortal.
Febbre
autunnale, o è lunga o è mortale.
24
Quartan AGUES kill old men, and cure young.
Febbre
quartana, il vecchio uccide e il giovane risana.
25
A man cannot live by AIR.
Non si
campa d'aria.
26
The AIR of a window is as the stroke of a cross-bow.
Aria
di finestra, colpo di balestra.
27
ALMS never make poor.
L'elemosina
non fa impoverire.
Var. No one becomes poor through giving alms / You shall not lose by giving alms.
28
When thou doest ALMS, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand
doeth.
Quando fai elemosina, non
sappia la tua mano sinistra quello che fa la destra.
o Matthew 6, 3 / Matteo 6, 3
29
It is not good that the man should be ALONE.
Non
è bene che l'uomo sia solo.
Cf. A MAN without a wife is but half a man.
o Genesis 2, 18 / Genesi 2, 18
30
He that serves at the ALTAR ought to live by the altar.
Chi
serve all'altare vive d'altare.
Il prete dove canta vi mangia.
31
He that doth AMISS may do well.
Chi
ha fatto il male faccia la penitenza.
32
Like the ANCHOR of a ship that is always at sea and never learns to
swim.
È come l'ancora, che sta
sempre nel mare e non impara mai a nuotare.
L'ancora sta sempre
nell'acqua, pur non nuota mai.
33
Good riding at two ANCHORS, men have told, for if one break the other
may hold.
La nave è più sicura
con due ancore che con una sola.
34
ANGER and haste hinder good counsel.
L'ira
è cattiva consigliera.
A sangue caldo, nessun giudizio è
saldo.
Chi s'adira non è consigliato.
35
ANGER cannot stand without a strong hand.
Corruccio
è vano senza forte mano.
L'ira senza forza non vale una
scorza.
Ira senza forza nulla vale.
36
ANGER is a short madness.
L'ira
accieca la ragione.
L'ira turba la mente ed accieca la ragione.
37
A soft ANSWER turneth away wrath.
Una
risposta gentile calma la collera.
Cf. Good WORDS cool more than cold water.
38
The ANT had wings to her hurt.
Quando
la formica vuol morire, mette le ali.
39
An iron ANVIL should have a hammer of feathers.
A
dura incudine, martello di piuma.
40
The ANVIL fears no blows.
Buona
incudine non teme martello.
Dura più l'incudine che il martello.
41
When you are an ANVIL, hold you still; when you are a hammer, strike
your fill.
Quando s'è incudine
convien soffrire; quando s'è martello convien percuotere.
A
questo mondo bisogna essere incudine o martello.
42
The higher the APE goes, the more he shows his tail.
Quanto
più la scimmia va in alto, più mostra il deretano.
Come la
scimmia, chi più va in alto, più mostra il culo.
Var. The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.
43
An APE's an ape, a varlet's a varlet, though they be clad in silk or
scarlet.
La scimmia è sempre
scimmia, anche vestita di seta.
Sim. An ape is never so like an ape as when he wears a doctor's cape / An ass is but an ass, though laden with gold.
44
APPEARANCES are deceptive.
L'apparenza
inganna.
Var.
Appearances are deceiving.
Sim.
Things are not always what they seem.
45
Never judge from APPEARANCES.
Non
bisogna fidarsi delle apparenze.
L'uomo si giudica male alla
cera.
Non giudicate secondo le apparenze.
Cf. Under a ragged COAT lies wisdom.
o John 7, 24 / Giovanni 7, 24
46
APPETITE comes with eating.
L'appetito
vien mangiando.
Mangiando viene l'appetito.
Cf. EATING and scratching wants but a beginning.
47
For a good APPETITE there is no hard bread.
A
chi ha fame è buono ogni pane.
Quando si ha fame, il pane sa di
carne.
48
An APPLE a day keeps the doctor away.
Una
mela al giorno toglie il medico di torno.
49
An APPLE never falls far from the tree.
La
mela non cade lontano dall'albero.
Cf. A CHIP off the old block / Like FATHER, like son / Like MOTHER, like daughter.
50
The rotten APPLE injures its neighbours.
Una
mela marcia ne guasta cento.
Una pera fradicia ne guasta un
monte.
Una pera fradicia ne infradicia cento.
Var. It takes only one bad apple to spoil the lot / One bad apple spoils the lot / One rotten apple can spoil the whole bunch / One rotten apple destroys the barrel / One rotten apple will spoil a bushel / The rotten apple injures its companion.
51
A cold APRIL the barn will fill.
Aprile
freddo, molto pane e poco vino.
52
APRIL and May are the keys of the year.
Aprile
e maggio son la chiave di tutto l'anno.
53
APRIL rains for men; May, for beasts.
D'aprile
piove per gli uomini e di maggio per le bestie.
Var.
April rains for corn; May, for grass.
Cf.
A dry MARCH, wet April and cool May,
fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.
54
APRIL showers bring forth May flowers.
Aprile
fa il fiore, e maggio ne ha l'onore.
Aprile fa il fiore e maggio
si ha il colore.
Var. March winds and April showers always bring May flowers.
55
APRIL weather, rain and shower both together.
La
pioggia d'aprile dura quaranta giorni.
56
Till APRIL's dead, change not a thread.
Per
tutto aprile, non ti scoprire.
D'April non ti scoprire.
April,
Aprilone, non mi farai metter giù il pelliccione.
Cf. Cast ne'er a clout till MAY be out.
57
Every man is the ARCHITECT of his own fortune.
Ciascuno
è fabbro della sua fortuna.
Ognuno è artefice del proprio
destino.
58
An ARMY of stags led by a lion would be more formidable than one of
lions led by a stag.
È meglio un
esercito di cervi sotto il comando di un leone, che un esercito di
leoni sotto il comando di un cervo.
59
An ARROW shot upright falls on the shooter's head.
La
saetta gira, gira, torna addosso a chi la tira.
Sim.
Evil that comes out of thy mouth
flieth into thy bosom.
Cf. Who
SPITS against the wind, it falls in his face / Piss not against the
WIND.
o Ecclesiasticus 27, 25 / Siràcide 27, 25
60
ART consists in concealing art.
L'arte
che tutto fa, nulla si scopre.
Var. The best art conceals art.
61
ART has no enemy but ignorance.
L'arte
non ha maggior nemico dell'ignorante.
Var. Science has no enemy but the ignorant.
62
ART improves nature.
Dove manca
natura, arte procura.
Cf. NURTURE passes nature.
63
ART is long and life is short.
La
vita è breve e l'arte è lunga.
Arte lunga, vita breve.
64
He who has an ART has everywhere a part.
Chi
ha arte, ha parte.
Cf. Who has a TRADE, has a share everywhere.
65
In every ART it is good to have a master.
In
ogni arte convien aver maestro.
66
Divine ASHES are better than earthly meal.
Più
val la cenere divina che la mondana farina.
67
ASK, and it shall be given you.
Chiedete
e vi sarà dato.
o Matthew 7, 7 / Matteo 7, 7
68
An ASS endures his burden, but not more than his burden.
L'asino,
per tristo che sia, se tu lo batti più del dovere tira calci.
Sim. It is not the burden, but the overburden that kills the beast.
69
An ASS in a lion's skin.
Al
ragliar si vedrà che non è leone.
70
An ASS is known by his ears.
L'asino
si conosce all'orecchie.
71
An ASS must be tied where the master will have him.
Lega
l'asino dove vuole il padrone.
72
An ASS pricked must needs trot.
Asino
punto convien che trotti.
73
Better ride on an ASS that carries me than a horse that throws
me.
Piuttosto un asino che porti
che un cavallo che butti a terra.
74
Did you ever hear an ASS play on a harp?
Essere
come l'asino al suono della lira.
Sim. A sow to a fiddle.
75
He that cannot beat the ASS, beats the saddle.
Chi
non può dare all'asino, dà al basto.
Cf. He that cannot beat the HORSE, beats the saddle.
76
If an ASS goes a-travelling, he'll not come home a horse.
Chi
bestia va a Roma, bestia ritorna.
Molti vanno a studio vitelli e
tornano a casa buoi.
Var.
Never went out ass and came home horse.
Sim.
Send a fool to the market (far, to
France) and a fool he will return again / How much the fool who goes
to Rome excels the fool who stays at home.
Cf.
He that sends a FOOL expects one.
77
Jest with an ASS, and he will slap you in the face with his tail.
Chi
accarezza la mula, buscherà dei calci.
78
One ASS scrubs another.
Un asino
gratta l'altro.
79
The ASS loaded with gold still eats thistles.
Asino
carico d'oro mangia cardoni e ortiche.
Fare come l'asino, che
porta il vino e beve l'acqua.
80
The ASS that brays most eats least.
Asino
che raglia mangia poco fieno.
Cf. A bleating SHEEP loses her bit.
81
When all men say you are an ASS, it is time to bray.
Quando
tutti ti diranno che sei asino, e tu raglia.
Quando tutti ti
dicono ubriaco, va a dormire.
Sim.
If one, or three tell you, you are an
ass, put on a bridle (tail).
Cf.
What everybody says must be TRUE.
82
Wherever an ASS falls, there will he never fall again.
L'asino,
dove è cascato una volta, non ci casca più.
Var. Even an ass will not fall twice in the same quicksand.
83
Who drives an ASS and leads a whore, has toil and sorrow
evermore.
Chi asino caccia e
puttana mena, non esce mai di pena.
84
You go to an ASS for wool.
Dall'asino
non cercar lana.
Sim. Look not for musk in a dog's kennel.
85
He that washes an ASS's head loses both his lye and his labour.
Chi
lava la testa all'asino perde il ranno e il sapone.
Chi lava la
testa all'asino perde la spugna e il sapone.
A lavar la testa
all'asino si perde il ranno e il sapone.
Var. He that washes an ass's head loses both his soap and his labour.
86
ATTACK is the best form of defence.
La
miglior difesa è l'attacco.
87
Like AUTHOR, like book.
Tal
autor, tal opera.
88
The AVARICIOUS man is always in want.
L'uomo
avaro e l'occhio sono insaziabili.
Var.
The miser is always in want.
Sim.
Avarice is never satisfied.
B
89
Don't throw the BABY out with the bathwater.
Gettare
il manico dietro la scure.
Gettare la fune dietro la secchia.
Sim. To throw the helve after the hatchet.
90
He would fall on his BACK and break his nose.
Chi
nasce sfortunato, s'ei va indietro a cader si
rompe il naso.
Sim. An unfortunate man would be drowned in a tea-cup.
91
Scratch my BACK and I'll scratch yours.
Grattami
e ti gratterò.
Var.
Scratch me and I'll scratch you.
Sim.
Claw me, and I'll claw thee.
Cf.
Roll my LOG, and I'll roll yours.
92
Nothing so BAD in which there is not something of good.
Non
c'è cosa così cattiva, che non sia buona a qualche cosa.
Var.
Nothing but is good for something.
Sim.
No great loss but some small profit
.
Cf. ILL
LUCK is good for something.
93
There is no great BANQUET, but some fare ill.
Non
fu mai sì gran banchetto, che qualcun non desinasse male.
94
A BARBER learns to shave by shaving fools.
Alla
barba dei pazzi il barbiere impara a radere.
95
A young BARBER and an old physician.
Medico
vecchio e barbiere giovane.
Var. The barber must be young, and the physician old.
96
One BARBER shaves another gratis.
Un
barbiere tosa l'altro.
97
A good BARGAIN is a pick-purse.
Buon
mercato sfonda la borsa.
Sotto il buon prezzo ci cova la frode.
Le
buone derrate vuotano la borsa.
Cf. GOOD cheap is dear.
98
BASHFULNESS is a great hindrance to a man.
Fra
Modesto non fu mai priore.
Chi vuole impetrare, la vergogna ha da
levare.
Sim. A modest dog seldom grows fat.
99
He that makes a BASKET can make one hundred.
Chi
fa una trappola ne sa fare cento.
Chi fa trenta può fare
trentuno.
100
A BEAN in liberty is better than a comfit in prison.
Meglio
è una fava in libertà che un confetto in carcere.
Cf. LIBERTY is more worth than gold.
101
BEAR and forbear.
Sostienti e
astienti.
Soffri e taci, ogni cosa ha fine.
102
Don't sell the BEAR's skin before you have caught him.
Non
si vende la pelle prima che s'ammazzi l'orso.
Non vendere la pelle
dell'orso prima di averlo preso.
Non vendere la pelle dell'orso
prima di averlo ucciso.
Sim.
Don't cross the bridge till you come
to it / Do not count your chickens before they are hatched / It is
not good praising a ford till a man be over / Do not halloo till you
are out of the wood / Never fry fish till it's caught.
Cf.
Count not FOUR, except you have them
in the wallet .
103
A BEARD well lathered is half shaved.
Barba
bagnata è mezza fatta.
Var. A good lather is half a shave.
104
A red BEARD and a black head, catch him with a good trick and take
him dead.
Barba rossa e mal
colore, sotto il cielo non è peggiore.
Cf. Red HAIR; devil's hair.
105
He that hath a BEARD is more than youth; and he that hath no beard is
less than a man.
Gallo senza
cresta è un cappone, uomo senza barba è un minchione.
106
It is not the BEARD that makes the philosopher.
La
barba non fa il filosofo.
Var. The beard does not make the doctor or philosopher.
107
The BEARD will not pay for the shaving.
Il
barbiere non si contenta del pelo.
108
A poor BEAUTY finds more lovers than husbands.
Le
belle senza dote trovano più amanti che mariti.
109
BEAUTY and chastity seldom agree.
Di
rado s'accoppiano bellezza e castità.
110
BEAUTY and folly are often companions.
Beltà
e follia vanno spesso in compagnia.
111
BEAUTY carries its dower in its face.
Bellezza
è mezza dote.
Chi nasce bella non nasce povera.
Sim. A fair face is half a portion.
112
BEAUTY draws more than oxen.
Tira
più un pel di donna che cento paia di buoi.
Cf. NATURE draws more than ten teams.
113
BEAUTY fades like a flower.
Bellezza
è come un fiore che nasce e presto muore.
Sim. Beauty is but a blossom.
114
BEAUTY is but skin-deep.
La
bellezza è effimera.
115
BEAUTY is no inheritance.
Bellezza
di corpo non è eredità.
116
BEAUTY may have fair leaves, yet bitter fruit.
La
bellezza ha belle foglie, ma il frutto amaro.
117
As you make your BED, so you must lie on it.
Come
uno si fa il letto, così dorme.
Sim.
As you bake, so shall you eat / As
they brew, so let them bake.
Cf.
As they BREW, so let them drink.
118
Better go to BED supperless than to rise in debt.
Meglio
andare a letto senza cena, che alzarsi con debiti.
119
Early to BED and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and
wise.
Presto a letto e presto
alzato fa l'uomo sano, ricco e fortunato.
120
He that goes to BED thirsty rises healthy.
Chi
a letto con la sete se ne va, si leva la mattina con sanità.
121
Who goes to BED supperless, all night tumbles and tosses.
Chi
va a letto senza cena tutta la notte si dimena.
122
A dead BEE makes no honey.
Ape
morta non fa miele.
123
The BEE sucks honey out of the bitterest flowers.
I
fiori amari, giunti alla bocca delle pecchie, diventano miele.
124
Better BEG than steal.
È meglio
mendicare che sulla forca sgambettare.
125
It is better to be a BEGGAR than a fool.
È
meglio esser mendicante che ignorante.
126
Set a BEGGAR on horseback, and he'll ride to the Devil.
Quando
il villano è a cavallo, non vorrebbe mai che si facesse sera.
Quando
la merda monta in scanno, o che la puzza, o che fa danno.
Sim.
Beggars mounted run their horse to
death.
Cf. When
a KNAVE is in a plum-tree, he has neither friend nor kin / No PRIDE
like that of an enriched beggar.
127
The BEGGAR is never out of his way.
Gli
accattoni non sono mai fuori di strada.
128
The BEGGAR may sing before the thief.
Il
mendicante può cantare dinanzi al ladro.
Cento ladri non possono
spogliare un uomo nudo.
Sim.
A beggar can never be bankrupt.
Cf.
No NAKED man is sought after to be
rifled.
129
BEGGARS can't be choosers.
Chi
mendica non può scegliere.
130
What is got by BEGGING is dear bought.
Niuna
cosa costa più cara di quella che comprano le preghiere.
131
Better never to BEGIN than never to make an end.
Meglio
è non dire che cominciar e non finire.
Sim. Let him that beginneth the song make an end.
132
A bad BEGINNING, a bad ending.
Chi
comincia male, finisce peggio.
Quando si comincia male, si finisce
peggio.
133
A good BEGINNING makes a good ending.
Buon
principio fa buon fine.
134
Every BEGINNING is hard.
Ogni
principio è difficile.
Il difficile sta nel cominciare.
Var.
All beginnings are hard (difficult).
Cf.
It is the first STEP that is
difficult.
135
Everything must have a BEGINNING.
Ogni
cosa vuol principio.
136
Such BEGINNING, such end.
Qual
principio, tal fine.
137
Well BEGUN is half done.
Chi ben
comincia è a metà dell'opera.
Chi ben comincia è a metà
dell'opra.
Sim. The first blow is half the battle.
138
BELIEVE nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see.
Quel
che vedi, poco credi; quel che senti non creder niente.
139
We soon BELIEVE what we desire.
Quel
che si vuol, presto si crede.
140
He that BELIEVES all, misses; he that believes nothing,
misses.
Tristi guai, chi crede
troppo e chi non crede mai.
141
BELLS call others, but themselves enter not into the church.
Non
entra a messa la campana e ognun ci chiama.
Le campane chiamano
gli altri e non entrano in chiesa.
142
A BELLY full of gluttony will never study willingly.
A
buzzo pieno mal si lavora.
Sim. Fat paunches have lean pates.
143
A fat BELLY, a lean brain.
Il
ventre pieno fa la testa vuota.
144
A full BELLY neither fights nor flies well.
Pancia
piena, piede addormentato.
145
Better BELLY burst than good meat lost.
Piuttosto
crepa panza che roba avanza.
146
He whose BELLY is full believes not him who is fasting.
Chi
ha pien il ventre non crede a chi ha fame.
Corpo satollo non crede
al digiuno.
Cf. Little knows the FAT man what the lean does mean.
147
The BELLY carries the legs.
La
bocca porta le gambe.
148
The BELLY hates a long sermon.
Messa
corta e lunga tavola.
149
The BELLY robs the back.
Meglio
buon desinare che una bella giubba.
Sim. Back may trust, but belly won't.
150
The BELLY teaches all arts.
Il
ventre è maestro delle arti.
Il ventre insegna il tutto.
Cf. HUNGER is the teacher of the arts / NECESSITY is the mother of invention / POVERTY is the mother of all arts.
151
The BELLY wants ears.
Ventre
digiuno non ode nessuno.
Var. Hungry bellies have no ears.
152
To a full BELLY all meat is bad.
A
ventre pieno ogni cibo è amaro.
Colombo pasciuto, ciliegia
amara.
Allo svogliato il miele pare amaro.
Sim. When the mouse has had enough, the meal is bitter.
o Proverbs 27, 7 / Proverbi 27, 7
153
A BELLYFUL is a bellyful, whether it be meat or drink.
O
di paglia o di fieno, il corpo ha da esser pieno.
154
Better BEND than break.
È meglio
piegare che rompere.
Meglio è piegarsi che scavezzarsi.
Cf. All that SHAKES falls not.
155
BEST is best cheap.
La buona roba
non fu mai cara.
156
The BEST is behind.
Il meglio va
serbato all'ultimo.
157
The BEST is the enemy of the good.
Il
meglio è nemico del bene.
L'ottimo è nemico del bene.
158
The BETTER-natured, the sooner undone.
Troppo
buono, troppo minchione.
159
A BIRD in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Un
uccello in mano ne val due nel bosco.
Meglio fringuello in man che
tordo in frasca.
Val più fringuello in man che tordo in frasca.
È
meglio un uccello in gabbia che cento per aria.
È meglio un
uccello in gabbia che cento al bosco.
Sim.
Better a fowl in hand nor two
flying.
Cf. A
FEATHER in hand is better than a bird in the air.
160
A little BIRD is content with a little nest.
A
picciol uccello, picciol nido.
161
Each BIRD loves to hear himself sing.
Ogni
uccello canta il suo verso.
162
Far shooting never killed BIRD.
Bel
colpo non ammazzò mai uccello.
163
It is an ill BIRD that fouls its own nest.
Cattivo
quell'uccello che sporca il suo nido.
164
Such BIRD, such egg.
Qual
uccello, tal uovo.
Sim.
Like crow, like egg.
Cf.
An evil CROW, an evil egg.
165
Such BIRD, such nest.
Qual
uccello, tal nido.
166
The BIRD is known by his note.
Dal
canto si conosce l'uccello.
Cf. The BIRD is known by his note, the man by his words.
167
The BIRD is known by his note, the man by his words.
Al
canto l'uccello, al parlare il cervello.
Gli uomini si conoscono
al parlare e le campane al sonare.
Cf. The BIRD is known by his note.
168
The BIRD loves her nest.
Ad ogni
uccello il suo nido è bello.
Ogni uccello fa festa al suo nido.
Var. Every bird likes his own nest best.
169
The early BIRD catches the worm.
L'uccello
mattiniero si becca il verme.
170
The more the BIRD caught in lime strives, the faster he sticks.
Chi
nel fango è cascato, più si dimena, più vien imbrattato.
Chi
nel fango casca, quanto più si dimena, più s'imbratta.
171
Thou art a bitter BIRD, said the raven to the starling.
Il
ciuco dà del bue all'asino.
Sim.
The kettle calls the pot black-brows
(burnt-arse) / The pot calls the kettle black.
Cf.
The FRYING-PAN said to the kettle,
"Avaunt, black brows!"
172
To fright a BIRD is not the way to catch her.
Chi
vuol pigliare uccelli non dee trar loro dietro randelli.
Cf. To hunt for a HARE with a tabor.
173
BIRDS of a feather flock together.
Gli
uccelli si appaiono coi loro pari.
Pari con pari ben sta e
dura.
Dio li fa e poi li accoppia.
Sim.
Likeness causes liking.
Cf.
LIKE will to like.
o Ecclesiasticus 27, 9 / Siràcide 27, 9
174
Small BIRDS must have meat.
Uccellin
che mette coda vuol mangiare in ogni ora.
Cf. Growing YOUTH has a wolf in his belly.
175
You cannot catch old BIRDS with chaff.
Nuova
rete non piglia uccello vecchio.
Passero vecchio non entra in
gabbia.
Cf. An old FOX is not easily snared.
176
The BIT that one eats no friends makes.
Boccon
inghiottito, amici non catta.
177
The hasty BITCH brings forth blind whelps.
La
gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi.
Cf. HASTE makes waste / Too HASTY burned his lips.
178
That which was BITTER to endure may be sweet to remember.
Quel
che fu duro a patire è dolce da ricordare.
Sim.
The remembrance of past sorrow is
joyful.
Cf. SORROWS
remembered sweeten present joy.
179
Who has BITTER in his mouth spits not all sweet.
Chi
ha dentro amaro non può sputare dolce.
Chi ha in bocca il fiele
non può sputar miele.
Chi ha agro in bocca non può sputar dolce.
180
Above BLACK there is no colour, and above salt no savour.
Sopra
il sal non è sapore, sopra Dio non è signore.
Sopra il nero non
v'è colore.
181
BLACK will take no other hue.
Il
nero non piglia altro colore.
182
He that BLAMES would buy.
Chi
biasima vuol comprare.
Chi disprezza compra.
Cf. He that speaks ill of the MARE would buy her.
183
A BLIND man may sometimes hit the mark.
Talvolta
anche una gallina cieca trova un granello.
Sim. A blind man may perchance catch the hare (crow).
184
A BLIND man will not thank you for a looking-glass.
Al
cieco non giova pittura, color, specchio o figura.
Var. A blind man has no need of a looking-glass.
185
A man were better to be half BLIND than have both his eyes
out.
Meglio losco che cieco in
tutto.
Sim. Better to have one eye than be blind altogether.
186
Better to be BLIND than to see ill.
È
meglio esser cieco che veder male.
187
BLIND men should judge no colours.
Il
cieco non giudichi dei colori.
188
If the BLIND lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Se
un cieco guida l'altro, tutti e due cascano nella fossa.
o Matthew 15, 14 / Matteo 15, 14
189
There's none so BLIND as those who will not see.
Non
c'è peggior cieco di chi non vuol vedere.
Non c'è maggior cieco
di quello che non vuol vedere.
Var. None so blind as those who won't see.
190
Every BLOCK will not make a Mercury.
Non
d'ogni legno si può fare un Santo.
Sim. Every reed will not make a pipe.
191
BLOOD is thicker than water.
Il
sangue non è acqua.
È la voce del sangue.
Var. Blood is not water.
192
BLOOD will tell.
Buon sangue non
mente.
193
Like BLOOD, like good, and like age, make the happiest
marriage.
Moglie e buoi dei paesi
tuoi.
Moglie e ronzino, pigliali dal vicino.
Cf. MARRY your equal.
194
You cannot get BLOOD from a stone.
Dalla
rapa non si cava il sangue.
Var. You cannot get milk (water) from a stone.
195
The first BLOW is as much as two.
Il
primo colpo val per due.
Chi mena per primo mena due volte.
196
Great BOAST and small roast.
Molto
fumo e poco arrosto.
Cf. Great BRAGGERS, little doers / Much CRY and little wool / The greatest TALKERS are the least doers / A longue TONGUE is a sign of a short hand.
197
Ill goes the BOAT without the oar.
Ben
faremo, ben diremo, mal va la barca senza remo.
Mal va la barca
senza remo.
198
A little BODY often harbours a great soul.
Poca
mole, gran valore.
199
He that gives thee a BONE would not have thee die.
Chi
ti dà un osso non ti vorrebbe morto.
Sim. He that gives me small gifts would have me live.
200
The nearer the BONE, the sweeter the flesh.
La
carne più vicina all'osso è più saporita.
201
What is bred in the BONE will not out of the flesh.
Vizio
per natura, fino alla fossa dura.
Sim. Though you cast out nature with a fork, it will still return.
202
A closed BOOK does not produce a learned man.
Libro
serrato non fa l'uomo letterato.
La libreria non fa l'uomo dotto.
Sim. A book that remains shut is but a block.
203
A wicked BOOK is the wickeder because it cannot repent.
Un
cattivo libro è anche più cattivo perché non si può pentire.
204
Beware of the man of one BOOK.
Dio
ti guardi da chi legge un libro solo.
Dio mi guardi da chi studia
un libro solo.
Cf. GOD keep me from the man that has but one thing to mind.
205
There is no BOOK so bad, but something good may be found in it.
Non
vi è libro così cattivo che non abbia qualcosa di buono.
206
As soon as a man is BORN he begins to die.
Dalle
fasce, si comincia a morir quando si nasce.
Quando si nasce
s'incomincia a morire.
Il primo passo che ci conduce alla vita, ci
conduce alla morte.
Sim.
It is as natural to die as to be born
/ Our lives are but our marches to the grave.
Cf.
He that is once BORN, once must die /
All that LIVES must die / All MEN are mortal.
207
He that is once BORN, once must die.
Chi
nasce convien che muoia.
Sim.
It is as natural to die as to be born
/ Our lives are but our marches to the grave.
Cf.
As soon as a man is BORN he begins to
die / All that LIVES must die / All MEN are mortal.
208
Men know where they were BORN, not where they shall die.
Si
sa dove si nasce, ma non si sa dove si muore.
209
Who would BORROW when he has not, let him borrow when he has.
Chi
vuol pigliar in prestito quando non ha, ne pigli quando ne ha.
210
A good BORROWER is a lazy payer.
Buon
esattore, cattivo pagatore.
211
The BORROWER is servant to the lender.
Chi
prende in prestanza è servo del prestatore.
o Proverbs 22, 7 / Proverbi 22, 7
212
He that goes a-BORROWING, goes a-sorrowing.
Finché
si è debitori, si è nei dolori.
Chi è debitore non riposa come
vuole.
Dorme chi ha dolore, e non dorme chi è debitore.
213
Cut not the BOUGH that thou standest upon.
Tagliare
il ramo su cui si è seduti.
Var. Don't cut the bough you are standing on.
214
Short BOUGHS, long vintage.
Ramo
corto, vendemmia lunga.
215
A BOW too much bent will break.
Il
troppo tirar, l'arco fa spezzar.
La corda troppo tesa si rompe.
La
corda, a forza di tirarla, si rompe.
Corda che troppo è tesa,
spezza se stessa e l'arco.
Var. A bow long bent at last waxes weak / When the bow is too much bent, it breaks.
216
BOYS will be boys.
Gioventù non
ha virtù.
217
BOYS will be men.
Anche i
fanciulli diventano uomini.
218
Great BRAGGERS, little doers.
Gran
vantatore, piccol facitore.
Var.
They brag most that can do least.
Sim.
Much bruit and little fruit.
Cf.
Great BOAST and little roast / Much
CRY and little wool / The greatest TALKERS are the least doers / A
long TONGUE is a sign of a short hand.
219
The BRAINS don't lie in the beard.
La
sapienza non sta nella barba.
I peli non pensano.
220
Much BRAN and little meal.
Molta
paglia, poco grano.
221
The BRAYING of an ass does not reach heaven.
Raglio
d'asino non arrivò mai in cielo.
Sim. The prayers of the wicked won't prevail.
222
Another's BREAD costs dear.
Il
pane degli altri è troppo salato.
Il pane degli altri ha sette
croste.
223
BREAD and circuses.
Pane e feste
tengon il popolo quieto.
224
BREAD with eyes, cheese without eyes, and wine that leaps up to the
eyes.
Pane cogli occhi, e cacio
senz'occhi.
Pan leggero e grave formaggio, piglia sempre, se sei
saggio.
225
Dry BREAD at home is better than roast meat abroad.
Pan
asciutto in casa propria, anzi che l'arrosto nell'altrui.
226
Dry BREAD is better with love than a fat capon with fear.
Più
vale un pan con amore che un cappone con dolore.
Cf. Better an EGG in peace than an ox in war.
227
Eaten BREAD is soon forgotten.
Il
pan mangiato, presto è dimenticato.
Cf. Fair-weather FRIENDS are not worth having.
228
He would have better BREAD than is made of wheat.
Non
cercar miglior pane che di grano.
229
Man cannot live by BREAD alone.
L'uomo
non vive di solo pane.
o Matthew 4, 4 / Matteo 4, 4; Luke 4, 4 / Luca 4, 4; Deuteronomy 8, 3 / Deuteronomio 8, 3
230
Who fasts and does no other good spares his BREAD and goes to
hell.
Chi digiuna e altro ben non
fa, avanza il pane, e a casa il diavol va.
231
Who has no more BREAD than need must not keep a dog.
A
chi ha pane, non gli manca il cane.
232
BREAK it, you pay for it.
Chi
rompe paga, e i cocci sono suoi.
Chi rompe paga, e porta via i
ciottoli.
Var. He pays for the glasses who breaks them.
233
One man's BREATH another's death.
Morte
tua, vita mia.
Cf. One man's LOSS is another man's gain.
234
The first BREATH is the beginning of death.
Il
primo passo che ci conduce alla vita, ci conduce alla morte.
235
Not where one is BRED, but where he is fed.
Non
d'onde sei, ma d'onde pasci.
236
As they BREW, so let them drink.
Chi
l'ha fatta, la beva.
Sim.
As you bake, so shall you eat / As
they brew, so let them bake.
Cf.
As you make your BED, so you must lie
on it.
237
It is meet that a man be at his own BRIDAL.
Tristo
a colui che non si trova alle sue nozze.
Chi non è alle sue
nozze, o che son crude o che son troppo cotte.
238
It is the BRIDLE and spur that makes a good horse.
Briglia
e speron fanno il cavallo buon.
239
A new BROOM sweeps clean.
Granata
nuova spazza ben tre giorni.
Granata nuova, tre dì buona.
Var. New brooms sweep clean.
240
Between two BROTHERS two witnesses and a notary.
Corruccio
di fratelli fa più che due flagelli.
Ira di fratelli, ira di
diavoli.
Fratelli, flagelli.
241
Three BROTHERS, three castles.
Tre
fratelli, tre castelli.
Sim. Three helping one another bear the burden of six.
242
BUILDING and marrying of children are great wasters.
Chi
edifica, la borsa purifica.
Cf. BUILDING is a sweet impoverishing.
243
BUILDING is a sweet impoverishing.
Il
fabbricare è un dolce impoverire.
Cf. BUILDING and marrying of children are great wasters.
244
He may bear a BULL that has borne a calf.
Ben
può sostenere il toro chi ha già portato il vitello.
245
A BURDEN of one's own choice is not felt.
Il
proprio fardello pesa poco.
246
Every man shall bear his own BURDEN.
Ciascuno
porterà il suo proprio peso.
o Galatians 6, 5 / Galati 6, 5
247
He that BURNS shines most.
Chi
più arde più splende.
248
One beats the BUSH and another catches the birds.
Uno
scuote il cespuglio, l'altro acchiappa l'uccello.
Sim.
The poor man turns his cake and
another comes and takes it away.
Cf.
Little DOGS start the hare, the great
get her / One SOWS and another reaps.
249
BUSINESS before pleasure.
Prima
il dovere, poi il piacere.
250
BUSINESS is business.
Gli affari
sono affari.
251
Every man knows his own BUSINESS best.
Ognuno
è maestro nell'arte sua.
252
No man fouls his hands in his own BUSINESS.
Nessuno
s'ha da vergognare della sua arte.
253
The BUTCHER looked for his knife and it was in his mouth.
Fare
come quello che cercava la pipa e l'aveva in bocca.
Cf. You look for the HORSE you ride on.
254
It is not all BUTTER that the cow yields.
Non
è tutto burro ciò che fa la vacca.
255
It rains BUTTER and cheese.
Quando
piove d'agosto, piove miele e piove mosto.
256
The BUYER needs a hundred eyes, the seller but one.
A
chi compra non bastano cent'occhi; a chi vende ne basta uno solo.
Due
occhi per chi vende, ma cento per chi prende.
Var.
The seller needs but one eye; the buyer one hundred.
Sim.
Let the buyer beware.
257
He that BUYS what he does not want, must often sell what he does
want.
Chi compra il superfluo,
venderà il necessario.
Var. Buy what you do not want and you will sell what you cannot spare.
C
258
CABBAGE twice cooked is death.
Cavolo
riscaldato non fu mai buono.
Sim.
Take heed of reconciled enemies and
of meat twice boiled.
Cf. A
broken FRIENDSHIP may be soldered, but will never be sound.
259
Either CAESAR or nobody.
O Cesare
o niente.
260
Render unto CAESAR the things which are Caesar's.
Rendete
a Cesare quello che è di Cesare, e a Dio quello che è di Dio.
A
Cesare quel che è di Cesare, a Dio quel che è di Dio.
Quel che è
di Cesare è di Cesare.
Var.
Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
Cf.
Every MAN should take his own.
o Matthew 22, 21 / Matteo 22, 21; Mark 12, 17 / Marco 12, 17; Luke 20, 25 / Luca 20, 25
261
CAESAR's wife must be above suspicion.
Esser
come la moglie di Cesare.
262
A fine CAGE won't feed a hungry bird.
La
bella gabbia non nutrisce l'uccello.
La bella gabbia non nutre
l'uccello.
263
You can't eat your CAKE and have it too.
Non
si può avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca.
Var. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
264
If thou suffer a CALF to be laid on thee, within a little they'll
clap on the cow.
Se ti lasci
metter in spalla il vitello, quindi a poco ti metteran la vacca.
265
It is easier for a CAMEL to go through the eye of a needle than it is
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
È
più facile per un cammello passare per la cruna di un ago che per un
ricco entrare nel regno di Dio.
o Matthew 19, 24 / Matteo 19, 24; Luke 18, 25 / Luca 18, 25
266
He who CAN, does; he who cannot, teaches.
Chi
sa fa e chi non sa insegna.
267
A CANDLE lights others and consumes itself.
La
candela alluma, e se stessa consuma.
268
It is sometimes good to hold a CANDLE to the devil.
È
bene accendere una candela a Dio e due al diavolo.
Sim.
Like the old woman who burned one
candle to St. Michael and another to the Dragon.
Cf.
Give the DEVIL his due.
269
If CANDLEMAS day be fair and bright, winter will have another flight:
if on Candlemas day it be shower and rain, winter is gone, and will
come not again.
Per la santa
Candelora, se nevica o se plora, dall'inverno siamo fora; ma s'è
sole e solicello noi siam sempre a mezzo il verno.
Var. If Candlemas day be sunny and bright, winter will have another flight; if Candlemas day be cloudy with rain, winter is gone, and won't come again.
270
When the CANDLES are out, all women are fair.
A
lume spento è pari ogni bellezza.
Al buio la villana è bella
quanto la dama.
Al lume di lucerna ogni rustica è bella.
271
If thou hast not a CAPON, feed on an onion.
Sono
meglio le fave che durano, che i capponi che vengon meno.
Sim.
Acorns were good till bread was found
/ Better a louse (mouse) in the pot than no flesh at all.
Cf.
They that have no other MEAT, bread
and butter are glad to eat.
272
Where the CARCASE is, there shall the eagles be gathered
together.
Dove son carogne, son
corvi.
Var. Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the ravens be gathered together.
o Matthew 24, 28 / Matteo 24, 28; Luke 17, 37 / Luca 17, 37
273
Lucky at CARDS, unlucky in love.
Chi
ha fortuna in amore, non giochi a carte.
Fortuna al gioco,
sfortuna in amore.
Var.
Lucky at play, unlucky in love / Unlucky in love, lucky in play.
Cf.
Unlucky at CARDS, lucky in love.
274
Unlucky at CARDS, lucky in love.
Sfortuna
al gioco, fortuna in amore.
Cf. Lucky at CARDS, unlucky in love.
275
CARE brings grey hair.
Le
preoccupazioni fanno venire i capelli bianchi.
I pensieri fanno
mettere i peli canuti.
276
He CARRIES well to whom it weighs not.
A
chi non pesa, ben porta.
277
A creaking CART goes long on the wheels.
Dura
più un carro rotto che uno nuovo.
Dura più una pentola fessa che
una nuova.
Basta più una conca fessa che una sana.
Tutto il
giorno ahi! non muor mai.
Sim. A creaking door hangs long on its hinges.
278
Don't put the CART before the horse.
Non
mettere il carro davanti ai buoi.
Non bisogna mettere il carro
davanti ai buoi.
Var. Don't get the carriage before the horse / To put the cart before the horse.
279
Every CASK smells of the wine it contains.
La
botte dà del vino che ha.
Var.
The cask savours of the first fill.
Cf.
There comes nought out of the SACK,
but what was there.
280
A CAT always falls on its legs.
Cascare
in piè come le gatte.
281
A CAT has nine lives.
Gatti hanno
nove vite.
La gatta ha sette vite, e la donna sette più.
Var. A cat has nine lives; a woman has nine cat's lives.
282
A CAT in gloves catches no mice.
Gatta
inguantata non prese mai topi.
Gatta guantata non piglia sorci.
283
A CAT may look at a king.
Un
gatto può ben guardare un re.
Anche un gatto può guardare un re.
284
A scalded CAT fears cold water.
Gatto
scottato dall'acqua calda ha paura della fredda.
Var.
A scalded dog fears cold water.
Sim.
Once bitten twice shy / He that has
been bitten by a serpent is afraid of a rope.
Cf.
A burnt CHILD dreads the fire / Whom
a SERPENT has bitten, a lizard alarms.
285
How can the CAT help it if the maid be a fool?
Che
colpa ne ha la gatta, se la massaia è matta?
286
Never was CAT or dog drowned that could but see the shore.
Né
can né gatta mai s'affogan pur che vedan la ripa.
287
That that comes of a CAT will catch mice.
Chi
di gatta nasce, sorci piglia.
Chi di gatta nasce, sorci piglia; se
non li piglia non è sua figlia.
I figliuoli dei gatti pigliano i
topi.
Sim.
Cat after kind, good mouse-hunt.
Cf.
Who is born of a CAT will run after
mice / He that comes of a HEN must scrape.
288
The CAT would eat fish and would not wet her feet.
La
gatta vorrebbe mangiar pesci, ma non pescare.
Var.
The cat loves fish, but dares not wet his feet.
Cf.
He who would catch FISH must not mind
getting wet.
289
Who is born of a CAT will run after mice.
Non
fu mai gatta che non corresse ai topi.
Sim.
The son of a cat pursues the rat /
Cat after kind, good mouse-hunt.
Cf.
That that comes of a CAT will catch
mice / He that comes of a HEN must scrape.
290
When the CAT's away, the mice will play.
Quando
il gatto non c'è, i topi ballano.
Quando la gatta non c'è, i
sorci ballano.
Quando la gatta non è in paese, i topi ballano.
291
All CATS are grey in the dark.
Di
notte tutti i gatti sono grigi.
Var. All cats are alike grey in the night.
292
CATS eat what hussies spare.
Chi
serba, serba al gatto.
Chi sparagna, vien la gatta e glielo magna.
293
Two CATS and a mouse, two wives in one house, two dogs and a bone,
never agree in one.
Due gatti e
un topo, due mogli in una casa, due cani e un osso non vanno mai
d'accordo.
294
Take away the CAUSE and the effect must cease.
Tolta
la causa, cessato l'effetto.
295
Without CERES and Bacchus, Venus grows cold.
Senza
Cerere e Bacco, è amor debole e fiacco.
296
Never quit CERTAINTY for hope.
Non
lasciare il certo per l'incerto.
Mal si lascia il certo per
prendere il forse.
297
He is not free that draws his CHAIN.
Non
è scappato chi si strascina dietro la catena.
Cf. The HORSE that draws after him his halter is not altogether escaped.
298
The CHARITABLE give out at the door, and God puts in at the
window.
Il caritatevole dà dalla
porta, e Iddio mette dentro dalle finestre.
299
CHARITY begins at home.
La prima
carità comincia da sé.
Sim.
Love your friend, but look to
yourself.
Cf. Every
MAN is nearest himself.
300
CHARITY covers a multitude of sins.
La
carità dona il paradiso.
La carità ricopre ogni misfatto.
o I Peter 4, 8 / I Pietro 4, 8
301
He that CHASTENS one, chastens twenty.
Chi
ne castiga uno, cento ne minaccia.
302
CHASTISE the good and he will mend; chastise the bad and he will grow
worse.
Batti il buono, egli
migliora; batti il cattivo, egli peggiora.
Cf. Show a good man his ERROR and he turns it to virtue; but an ill, it doubles his fault / PRAISE makes good men better, and bad men worse.
303
In the Kingdom of a CHEATER, the wallet is carried before.
In
terra di ladri, la valigia dinanzi.
304
Those that eat CHERRIES with great persons shall have their eyes
squirted out with the stones.
Non
è buono mangiar ciliege coi signori.
Var.
Eat peas with the king, and cherries with the beggar.
Cf.
Share not PEARS with your master,
either in jest or in earnest.
305
Take the CHESTNUTS out of the fire with the cat's paw.
La
scimmia leva le castagne dal fuoco colla zampa della gatta.
Sim. To take the nuts from the fire with the dog's foot / It is good to strike the serpent's head with your enemy's hand.
306
A burnt CHILD dreads the fire.
L'uomo
scottato ha paura del fuoco.
Chi è scottato una volta, l'altra vi
soffia su.
Sim.
Once bitten twice shy / A scalded dog
fears cold water / He that has been bitten by a serpent is afraid of
a rope.
Cf. A
scalded CAT fears cold water / Whom a SERPENT has bitten, a lizard
alarms.
307
A CHILD may have too much of his mother's blessing.
Figlio
troppo accarezzato non fu mai ben allevato.
Sim. Give a child till he craves, and a dog while his tail doth wave, and you'll have a fair dog, but a foul knave.
308
Happy is the CHILD whose father goes to the devil.
Per
essere ricco bisogna avere un parente a casa del diavolo.
309
It is a wise CHILD that knows its own father.
Quello
è un fanciullo accorto che conosce il padre suo.
310
Praise the CHILD, and you make love to the mother.
Si
bacia il fanciullo a cagion della madre, e la madre a cagion del
fanciullo.
Var.
Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake.
Cf.
He that would the DAUGHTER win must
with the mother first begin.
311
The CHILD says nothing, but what it heard by the fire.
Quando
il piccolo parla, il grande ha parlato.
Sim. What children hear at home, soon flies abroad.
312
Better CHILDREN weep than old men.
È
meglio pianga il figliuolo che il padre.
Sim.
The man who has not been flogged is
not educated.
Cf. Spare
the ROD and spoil the child.
313
CHILDREN and chicken must be always picking.
Ragazzi
e polli non si trovan mai satolli.
314
CHILDREN and fools tell the truth.
I
fanciulli e i pazzi dicono la verità.
I fanciulli e i pazzi
profetizzano.
Chi vuol sapere la verità, lo domandi alla purità.
Var.
Children and fools cannot lie.
Cf.
DRUNKARDS and fools cannot lie.
315
CHILDREN are poor men's riches.
I
figli sono la ricchezza dei poveri.
316
CHILDREN suck the mother when they are young, and the father when
they are old.
I figliuoli
succhiano la madre quando son piccoli, e il padre quando son grandi.