A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

Chi fa la casa in piazza, o la fa troppo alta o troppo bassa. He who builds a house in the market-place, builds either too high or too low.

Chi fa li fatti suoi, non s’imbratta le mani. He who doth his own business defileth not his fingers.

Chi fa quel ch’e’ può, non fa mai bene. Who does all he may never does well.

Chi fonda in sul popolo, fonda in sulla rena. Who builds on the mob builds on sand.

Chi frequenta la cucina, sente di fumo. Who frequents the kitchen smells of smoke.

Chi giura, è bugiardo. He who swears is a liar.

Chi ha buon cavallo in stalla, può andare a piedi. He who has a good horse in his stable may go on foot.

Chi ha buon vicino, ha buon mattino. He who has a good neighbour has a good morning.

Chi ha capo di cera, non vada al sole. He who has a head of wax must not walk in the sun.

Chi ha cattivo nome, è mezzo impiccato. He who has a bad name is half hanged.

Chi ha coda di paglia, ha sempre paura che gli pigli fuoco. He who has a straw tail is always in fear of its catching fire.

Chi ha compagno, ha padrone. He who has a mate has a master.

Chi ha da esser zanaiuolo, nasce col manico in mano. He who is meant to be a basket-carrier is born with the handle in his hand.

Chi ha danari da buttar via, metta gli operaj, e non vi stia. He who has money to throw away, let him employ workmen, and not stand by.

Chi ha denti, non ha pane; e chi ha pane, non ha denti. He who has teeth has no bread, and he who has bread has no teeth.

Chi ha de’ pani, ha de’ cani. He who has loaves has dogs.

Chi ha, è. Who has, is.

Chi ha il lupo per compagno, porti il cane sotto il mantello. Who makes the wolf his companion should carry a dog under his cloak.

Chi ha l’amor nel petto, ha lo sprone a’ fianchi. Who has love in his heart has spurs in his sides.

Chi ha lingua in bocca, può andar per tutto. Who has a tongue in his head can go all the world over.

Chi ha mala lingua, bisogna che abbia buone reni. He who has a bad tongue should have good loins.

Chi ha mangiato il diavolo, mangia anche le corna. He that has swallowed the devil may swallow his horns.

Chi ha passato il guado, sa quant’acqua tiene. He who has crossed the ford knows how deep it is.

Chi ha pazienza, ha i tordi grassi a un quattrin l’uno. Who has patience may get fat thrushes at a farthing apiece.

Chi ha pazienza, vede la sua vendetta. Who has patience sees his revenge.

Chi ha paura del diavolo, non fa roba. He that is afraid of the devil does not grow rich.

Chi ha paura d’ogni fronde, non vada al bosco. Who is in fear of every leaf must not go into the wood.

Chi ha poca vergogna, tutto il mondo è suo. Who hath little shame the world is all his own.

Chi ha qualche cosa, è qualche cosa. Who has something is something.

Chi ha ragion, teme; chi ha torto, spera. Who is in the right fears, who is in the wrong hopes.

Chi ha sospetto, di rado è in difetto. He who suspects is seldom at fault.

Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino. He who has a glass roof should not throw stones at his neighbour’s.

Chi ha terra, ha guerra. He who has land has war.

Chi ha un sol porco, facilmente l’ingrassa. He that has but one pig easily fattens it.

Chi la fa, se la dimentica, ma non chi la riceve. He who does the wrong forgets it, but not he who receives it.

Chi lingua ha, a Roma va. He who has a tongue, may go to Rome.

Chi mal comincia, peggio finisce. He who begins ill finishes worse.

Chi mal pensa, mal abbia. Evil be to him who evil thinks.

Chi mal semina, mal raccoglie. Who sows ill reaps ill.

Chi mangia peri col suo signore, non sceglie i migliori. He who eats pears with his master should not choose the best.

Chi molte cose comincia, poche ne finisce. He who begins many things finishes few.

Chi mostra i quattrini, mostra il giudizio. He that shows his money shows his judgment.

Chi muta paese, muta ventura. Who changes country changes luck.

Chi muta stato, muta fortuna. Who changes his condition changes fortune.

Chi nasce bella, nasce maritata. She who is born a beauty is born betrothed.

Chi nasce matto, non guarisce mai. Who is born a fool is never cured.

Chi nel fango casca, quanto più si dimena, più s’imbratta. When a man has fallen into the mire, the more he flounders the more he fouls himself.

Chi niente dice, mai non mente. He who says nothing never lies.

Chi niente sa, di niente dubita. He who knows nothing never doubts.

Chi non arde, non accende. Who glows not burns not.