Sicilian Popular Wisdom (Part 1)

"Ognuno tira acqua pi lu so mulinu"

"Everyone pulls grist to their own mill"

(Everyone looks after their own interests)

"Ogni mpidimentu è giuvamentu"

"Every impediment is an advantage"

(The obstacles to our projects sometimes prove positive)

"Occhi aperti e piedi n terra"

"Eyes open and feet on the ground"

(Evaluate the situation carefully before acting)

"Occhj c'atu fattu chjanciri, chjanciti pena nun mi veni siddru lacrimati"

"Eyes that made to cry, need to cry, I don't mind if they cry"

(Don't feel pity for those who have been cruel)

"Ogni lassata è pirduta"

"Everything left behind is lost"

(We must take advantage of every opportunity)

"Ogni tintu scarafagljeddru a so ma' cci pari beddru"

"Every ugly cockroach looks beautiful to its mother"

(One's children are the height of beauty for the mother)

"Omu avvisatu, mezzu sarvatu"

"Forewarned is forearmed"

"Quannu lu diavulu t'accarizza voli l'arma"

"When the devil caresses you, he wants your soul"

(Flatterers hide their interests with apparent sincerity)