Roma non fu fatta in un giorno

Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day


chi cerca trova

Si dice che chi cerca trova. Spesso si trova più che non si sperava.

They say that he who seeks shall find. Often one finds more than one bargained for.

Chi cerca trova, e chi dorme sogna.

1858, Samarani Bonifacio, Proverbi lombardi:


quando il gatto non c'è, i topi ballano

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play


di notte tutti i gatti sono grigi

di notte tutti i gatti sono bigi#Italian

Alternative form of di notte tutti i gatti sono bigi


head

non dire gatto se non ce l'hai nel sacco

Literally, “don't say cat until you have (it) in (the) sack”.

lit

don't count your chickens before they're hatched

non vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averlo ucciso


di notte tutti i gatti sono bigi

all cats are grey in the dark
all cats are grey in the dark


it-pos

non vendere la pelle dell'orso prima di averelo ucciso

Calque of French il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué. Literally, “don't sell the bear's skin before you have killed the bear”.

calque

il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué


head

la gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi

Literally, “the hasty cat gave birth to blind kittens”.

lit

more haste, less speed
more haste, less speed

more haste, less speed; haste makes waste


head

tanto va la gatta al lardo, che ci lascia lo zampino

Literally, “the (female) cat goes so often to the lard that she leaves her paw there”.
This is in reference to the chopping block where lard is sliced. A cat continually stealing lard from the chopping block eventually loses its paw.

lit

you won't get away with something for ever; at some point you will leave a clue and be found out


il lupo perde il pelo ma non il vizio

Literally, “the wolf can lose its fur but not its bad habits”.

lit

a leopard cannot change its spots
a leopard cannot change its spots

the fox may grow grey but never good
the fox may grow grey but never good

the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature; a leopard cannot change its spots; the fox may grow grey but never good


l'erba del vicino è sempre più verde

Literally, “the neighbor's grass is always greener”.

lit

the grass is always greener on the other side (the others' circumstances seem more desirable)


cane che abbaia non morde

can che abbaia non morde
can che abbaia non morde#Italian

(rare) Alternative form of can che abbaia non morde


l'abito non fa il monaco

Literally, “the habit [religious garment] does not make the monk”. Compare French l’habit ne fait pas le moine.

m-g

the habit 􂀿religious garment􂁀 does not make the monk

lit

you can't judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

clothes don't make the man
clothes don't make the man

the cowl does not make the monk
the cowl does not make the monk

(idiomatic) you can't judge a book by its cover; clothes don't make the man, the cowl does not make the monk


chi dorme non piglia pesci

Literally, “he who sleeps doesn't catch any fish”.

the early bird catches the worm
the early bird catches the worm


aiutati che Dio t'aiuta

God helps those who help themselves
God helps those who help themselves


a caval donato non si guarda in bocca

Literally, “you mustn't look in the mouth to a gifted horse”.

lit

don't look a gift horse in the mouth
don't look a gift horse in the mouth


head

meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani

Literally, “Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow”.

lit

better an egg today than a hen tomorrow
better an egg today than a hen tomorrow

a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; better an egg today than a hen tomorrow


chi semina vento raccoglie tempesta

Literally, “(he) who sows wind gathers tempest”. Compare French qui sème le vent récolte la tempête.

cog

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


head

la vendetta è un piatto che va servito freddo

revenge is a dish best served cold
revenge is a dish best served cold


più siamo meglio è

Literally, “the more we are the better it is.”

the more the merrier
the more the merrier


meglio tardi che mai

better late than never
better late than never


uomo avvisato, mezzo salvato

forewarned is forearmed
forewarned is forearmed


chi di spada ferisce, di spada perisce

live by the sword, die by the sword
live by the sword, die by the sword

live by the sword, die by the sword (one who uses violence can expect a violent response)


quando il gioco si fa duro, i duri cominciano a giocare

when the going gets tough, the tough get going


tutto è bene ciò che finisce bene

tutto è bene quel che finisce bene#Italian

Alternative form of tutto è bene quel che finisce bene


tutto è bene quel che finisce bene

all's well that ends well
all's well that ends well


in amore e in guerra tutto è lecito

Literally, “in love and in war everything is permitted.”

lit

all's fair in love and war
all's fair in love and war


volere è potere

where there's a will, there's a way
where there's a will, there's a way


chi non risica non rosica

Literally, “who doesn't risk doesn't gnaw”.

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained

faint heart never won fair lady
faint heart never won fair lady

nothing ventured, nothing gained; no pain, no gain; faint heart never won fair lady (to achieve a goal, you have to take risks)


ride bene chi ride ultimo

LL-Q652 (ita)-LangPao-ride bene chi ride ultimo.wav

Literally, “(he) laughs well who laughs last.” Compare French rira bien qui rira le dernier.

he who laughs last laughs best
he who laughs last laughs best


can che abbaia non morde

Literally, “a barking dog doesn't bite”.

barking dogs never bite
barking dogs never bite

barking dogs seldom bite
barking dogs seldom bite

barking dogs never bite; barking dogs seldom bite


vedi Napoli e poi muori

Unknown exact origin or authorship. Popularized by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Compare Neapolitan vide Napule e po' muore.

see Naples and die (nothing compares to the beauty of Naples, so you can die after you've seen it)

Italian Journey
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


tutte le strade portano a Roma

all roads lead to Rome
all roads lead to Rome

all roads lead to Rome (different paths can take to the same goal)


paese che vai, usanza che trovi

paese che vai, usanze che trovi
paese che vai, usanze che trovi#Italian

Alternative form of paese che vai, usanze che trovi


paese che vai, usanze che trovi

/paˈe.ze ke‿vˈvaj | uˈzan.t͡se ke‿tˈtrɔ.vi/

Literally, “country you go (to), customs you find”.

one should not be surprised by how different someone else's culture and traditions might be, and should therefore accept them


tale padre, tale figlio

Literally, “such a father, such a son”. Cognate to Spanish de tal padre, tal hijo, Portuguese tal pai, tal filho and French tel père, tel fils.

like father, like son
like father, like son

chip off the old block
chip off the old block

like father, like son, chip off the old block (a son will have traits similar to his father)


head

una mela al giorno leva il medico di torno

/ˈu.na ˈme.la al ˈd͡ʒor.no | ˈlɛ.va il ˈmɛ.di.ko di ˈtor.no/

una mela al giorno toglie il medico di torno#Italian

Alternative form of una mela al giorno toglie il medico di torno


una mela al giorno toglie il medico di torno

/ˈu.na ˈme.la al ˈd͡ʒor.no | ˈtɔʎ.ʎe il ˈmɛ.di.ko di ˈtor.no/

Literally, “an apple a day takes the doctor away (from around)”.

lit

an apple a day keeps the doctor away
an apple a day keeps the doctor away

an apple a day keeps the doctor away (apples are good for your health)


non di solo pane vive l'uomo

man cannot live by bread alone
man cannot live by bread alone


head

chi ha denti non ha pane e chi ha pane non ha denti

/ˈki a‿dˈdɛn.ti non a‿pˈpa.ne | e‿kˈki a‿pˈpa.ne non a‿dˈdɛn.ti/

Literally, “who has teeth has no bread, and who has bread has no teeth”.

lit

(Tuscany) those who need something usually lack it, while those who have it are unable to enjoy it


ambasciator non porta pena

Literally, “(an) ambassador does not bring pain”, or more loosely translated as “the ambassador cannot be blamed”.

don't shoot the messenger
don't shoot the messenger


rosso di sera, bel tempo si spera

Literally, “red of the evening, good weather is hoped for”.

lit

when the sky is red at sunset, there's a reasonable chance of good weather the following day


la mela non cade lontano dall'albero

the apple doesn't fall far from the tree

la mela non cade mai lontano dall'albero

la mela non cade molto lontano dall'albero


non c'è due senza tre

Literally, “there is no two without three”. Compare French jamais deux sans trois.

bad things come in threes
bad things come in threes

good things come in threes
good things come in threes


una rondine non fa primavera

Literally, “one swallow doesn't make a spring”, a calque of Ancient Greek μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ (mía khelidṑn éar ou poieî).

cal

μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ

one swallow does not a summer make
one swallow does not a summer make


non tutto il male viene per nuocere

Literally, “not all the evil comes to harm”.

lit

blessing in disguise
blessing in disguise

sometimes there's a blessing in disguise or silver lining


zucca vuota fa rumore

empty vessels make the most sound
empty vessels make the most sound


del senno di poi son piene le fosse

twenty-twenty hindsight
twenty-twenty hindsight


head

se mia nonna avesse le ruote, sarebbe una carriola

Literally, “if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wheelbarrow”.

lit

if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle
if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle


traduttori, traditori

translators are traitors; a text can never be translated without some loss of nuance


parli del diavolo e spuntano le corna

speak of the devil and he appears
speak of the devil and he appears

(idiomatic) speak of the devil and he appears, speak of the devil


non è tutto oro quello che luccica

Literally, “it is not all gold that which glimmers”. Compare French tout ce qui brille n’est pas or.

lit

all that glitters is not gold
all that glitters is not gold


il mattino ha l'oro in bocca

Literally, “the morning has (the) gold in (the) mouth”.

lit

the early bird gets the worm
the early bird gets the worm


morto un papa se ne fa un altro

Literally, “dead one pope (when one pope dies) one makes another (one)”.

lit

there are plenty of fish in the sea
there are plenty of fish in the sea

no one is indispensable; there are plenty of fish in the sea


Dio li fa e poi li accoppia

birds of a feather flock together
birds of a feather flock together


chi si assomiglia si piglia

Dio li fa e poi li accoppia
Dio li fa e poi li accoppia#Italian


head

il diavolo fa le pentole ma non i coperchi

la verità viene sempre a galla
la verità viene sempre a galla#Italian

Synonym of la verità viene sempre a galla

the devil teaches us his tricks but not how to hide them


il diavolo si nasconde nei dettagli

devil is in the details
devil is in the details


occhio non vede, cuore non duole

Literally, “eye doesn't see, heart doesn't ache”.

lit

what you don't know can't hurt you
what you don't know can't hurt you

ignorance is bliss, what you don't know can't hurt you


chi si accontenta gode

a contented mind is a perpetual feast
a contented mind is a perpetual feast


meglio poco che niente

a little is better than none
a little is better than none


lontano dagli occhi, lontano dal cuore

Literally, “far from the eyes, far from the heart”. Compare French loin des yeux, loin du cœur.

out of sight, out of mind
out of sight, out of mind


it-pos

l'occhio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo

Literally, “the eye of the owner fattens the horse”.

lit

a business thrives when the owner keeps his eye on it

the master's eye makes the horse fat
the master's eye makes the horse fat


un'immagine vale più di mille parole

a picture is worth a thousand words
a picture is worth a thousand words


l'erba cattiva non muore mai

a bad penny always turns up
a bad penny always turns up


i soldi non crescono sugli alberi

money doesn't grow on trees
money doesn't grow on trees

there's no such thing as a free lunch
there's no such thing as a free lunch

money doesn't grow on trees; there's no such thing as a free lunch


chi va piano va sano e va lontano

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race


presto e bene non vanno insieme

la gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi#Italian

Synonym of la gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi

la fretta è una cattiva consigliera#Italian

Synonym of la fretta è una cattiva consigliera

chi va piano, va sano e va lontano#Italian

Synonym of chi va piano, va sano e va lontano


chi va piano, va sano e va lontano

presto e bene non vanno insieme
presto e bene non vanno insieme#Italian

Synonym of presto e bene non vanno insieme


ogni lasciata è persa

opportunity seldom knocks twice
opportunity seldom knocks twice


chi si ferma è perduto

one who hesitates is lost
one who hesitates is lost


confidenza toglie riverenza

familiarity breeds contempt
familiarity breeds contempt


dimmi con chi vai e ti dirò chi sei

a man is known by the company he keeps
a man is known by the company he keeps


la pazienza è la virtù dei forti

good things come to those who wait
good things come to those who wait


chi trova un amico trova un tesoro

a good friend is worth his weight in gold


a buon intenditor poche parole

a nod is as good as a wink
a nod is as good as a wink

word to the wise, a nod is as good as a wink


due torti non fanno una ragione

two wrongs don't make a right
two wrongs don't make a right


raglio d'asino non sale al cielo

raglio d' asino non sale al cielo (canonical)

sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me


head

hai voluto la bicicletta e adesso pedala

make one's bed and lie in it
make one's bed and lie in it


tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare

saying is one thing, doing is another
saying is one thing, doing is another

easier said than done
easier said than done

saying is one thing, doing is another; easier said than done


fa agli altri quel che vorresti fosse fatto a te

do unto others as you would have them do unto you


il bisogno aguzza l'ingegno

il bisogno aguzza l' ingegno (canonical)

necessity is the mother of invention
necessity is the mother of invention


di necessità virtù

il bisogno aguzza l'ingegno
il bisogno aguzza l'ingegno#Italian


il tempo è denaro

Il tempo è moneta
Il tempo è moneta#Italian


ne uccide più la penna della spada

the pen is mightier than the sword
the pen is mightier than the sword


chi non fa non falla

Literally, “he who does nothing makes no mistakes”.


tutti i nodi vengono al pettine

Literally, “all the knots come to the comb”.

the chickens come home to roost
the chickens come home to roost

the chickens come home to roost; truth will out


gallina vecchia fa buon brodo

there's many a good tune played on an old fiddle


nessuna nuova, buone nuove

Literally, “no news, good news”. Compare French pas de nouvelles, bonnes nouvelles.

cog

no news is good news
no news is good news

if there is no news to speak of, then everything must be going well; no news is good news


rosso di sera, buon tempo si spera

rosso di sera, bel tempo si spera#Italian

Alternative form of rosso di sera, bel tempo si spera


sbagliando s'impara

you learn from your mistakes
you learn from your mistakes


a mali estremi, estremi rimedi

Literally, “to extreme bads, extreme remedies”.

lit

desperate times call for desperate measures


gli assenti hanno sempre torto

Calque of French les absents ont toujours tort.

calque

one who is not present, or who does not show up to a situation, is often in the wrong and simply trying to avoid answering for his misdeed


patti chiari, amicizia lunga

patti chiari, amici cari
patti chiari, amici cari#Italian

Alternative form of patti chiari, amici cari


patti chiari, amici cari

Literally, “clear agreements, dear friends”. Compare English short reckonings make long friends.

cog

well-defined agreements avoid possible misunderstandings and argument


chi vivrà vedrà

Literally, “who will live will see”. Compare French qui vivra verra.


tentar non nuoce

there's no harm in trying; it is worth a try


la notte porta consiglio

Literally, “the night carries advice”, or more loosely translated as “night is a good advisor/counselor”. Compare French la nuit porte conseil.

lit

in the cold light of day
in the cold light of day#English

sleep on it! (it's better to examine things in the cold light of day)


le acque chete rovinano i ponti

it-pos

~acqu􂀿e:a􂁀; chet􂀿e:o􂁀; rovina􂀿no:re􂁀; pont􂀿i:e􂁀

Literally, “(the) calm waters ruin (the) bridges”.

lit

still waters run deep
still waters run deep


it-pos

~hai:avere; altr􂀿i:o􂁀; moccol􂀿i:o􂁀; puoi:potere; andare a letto:~; al buio:~

se non hai altri moccoli puoi andare a letto al buio

Literally, “if you do not have other candle ends you might go to bed in the dark”.

lit

if one has exhausted his resources, he must give up on his current undertakings and declare defeat


quel che è fatto è fatto

Literally, “that which is done is done”. Compare French ce qui est fait est fait.


il meglio è nemico del bene

Literally, “the best is (the) enemy of the good”. Compare French le mieux est l’ennemi du bien.

perfect is the enemy of good
perfect is the enemy of good


l'apparenza inganna

appearances are deceptive
appearances are deceptive


ogni riccio un capriccio

Literally, “every curl (of hair) a caprice”.


l'unione fa la forza

Literally, “(the) union makes (the) strength”. Compare French l’union fait la force.

many hands make light work
many hands make light work

united we stand, divided we fall
united we stand, divided we fall

there is strength in numbers
there is strength in numbers

unity is strength; many hands make light work; united we stand, divided we fall; there is strength in numbers


il gioco non vale la candela

Calque of French le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.

cal

the game is not worth the candle
the game is not worth the candle


chi fa da sé fa per tre

Literally, “(who) does by himself does for three”, or more loosely translated as “he who works by himself does enough for three people”.

lit

it is most efficient to work by oneself without asking for help from others


chi troppo vuole nulla stringe

/ki tˈtrɔp.po ˈvwɔ.le ˈnul.la ˈstrin.d͡ʒe/

Literally, “he who wants too much clasps nothing”. From Aesop's fable The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs. Compare French qui trop embrasse mal étreint and Spanish quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

cog

Aesop
The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs


chi non semina non raccoglie

Literally, “(he) who does not sow does not gather”.

lit

you don't get something for nothing
you don't get something for nothing

you don't get something for nothing (people who do not work hard cannot expect to be successful)


la fortuna aiuta gli audaci

Literally, “(the) fortune favors the audacious”. Compare French la fortune sourit aux audacieux.

fortune favors the bold
fortune favors the bold


chi si loda s'imbroda

Literally, “(he) who praises himself stains himself”.

lit

self-praise is no recommendation
self-praise is no recommendation


chi si scusa si accusa

Literally, “(he) who excuses himself accuses himself”. Compare French qui s’excuse s’accuse.

lit

a hit dog will holler
a hit dog will holler

one who makes excuses is often guilty of the behavior for which he is excusing himself; he who apologizes admits his guilt; a hit dog will holler


non giudicare un libro dalla copertina

Literally, “do not judge a book by the cover”.

don't judge a book by its cover
don't judge a book by its cover


meglio soli che male accompagnati

Literally, “better alone than badly accompanied”. Compare French mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné.

cog

it is better to be alone than in bad company


in medio stat virtus

Unadapted borrowing from Latin in mediō stat virtūs.


it-pos

meglio tirare a campare che tirare le cuoia

Literally, “better to get along than die”. From a quote by former Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti. First attested in 1991.

lit

one's got to do what one's got to do
one's got to do what one's got to do

it is better to advance one's own interests (even through illicit or questionable means) than to surrender oneself; it is best to look out for oneself before examining moral considerations; one's got to do what one's got to do


it-pos

non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco

Literally, “not all (the) doughnuts end up with the hole”.

lit

you can't win them all
you can't win them all

things do not always end up as planned; failure or disappointment is inevitable from time to time; you can't win them all


il silenzio è d'oro

Literally, “(the) silence is golden”. Compare French le silence est d’or.


sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata

Literally, “wet bride, lucky bride”. Compare French mariage pluvieux, mariage heureux.

cog

rain on one's wedding day brings good luck


chi la dura la vince

one who perseveres is likely to find success


non è tutto oro quello che riluce

non è tutto oro quello che luccica#Italian

Alternative form of non è tutto oro quello che luccica.


il tempo è galantuomo

From Voltaire. Literally, “time is a gentleman.”

“Presidente Meloni il tempo è galantuomo. Oggi è caduta nel ridicolo in pratica si è auto-dichiarata tafazziana.” Così il leader del Movimento 5 stelle... ha commentato le parole della premier che nel suo intervento ha... sottolinea[to] che “l’interesse dell’Italia oggi è affrontare il negoziato sulla nuova governance europea con un approccio a pacchetto”.... Tre anni e mezzo fa, la stessa premier commentava in Aula la “logica del pacchetto” dell’allora presidente del Consiglio Conte, accusandolo di tafazzismo....

2023 June 28, Editorial Board, “Mes, Conte a Meloni: “Parla di pacchetto? Nel 2019 quando lo dissi io mi accusò di essere Tafazzi”. Cosa disse allora la leader Fdi [EMS, Conte to Meloni: "You are talking about a package? In 2019, when I said it, she accused me of being Tafazzi". Here is how the leader of Fdi responded]”, in il Fatto Quotidiano:

"President Meloni: time tells the truth. This has gotten ridiculous; she has practically declared herself a follower of Tafazzi." This is how the leader of the Five-Star Movement... commented on the words of the Prime Minister, who... emphasized in her speech that "Italy's interest today is to approach the negotiations on the new European governance as a whole package".... Three and a half years ago, the same Prime Minister criticized the then-Prime-Minister Conte's "logic of the package" in Parliament, accusing him of being a follower of Tafazzi....

time has a fair and just nature; with the passage of time, honesty and integrity will prevail


i panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia

Literally, “(the) dirty laundry is washed in (the) family.” Compare French laver son linge sale en famille.

lit

wash one's dirty laundry in public
wash one's dirty laundry in public

it is best not to wash one's dirty laundry in public


non c'è rosa senza spine

Literally, “there is no rose without thorns.”

every rose has its thorn
every rose has its thorn


altezza è mezza bellezza

Literally, “height is half (of) beauty.”

height is a physically attractive characteristic


head

la farina del diavolo va tutta in crusca

Literally, “the devil's flour all turns into bran”.

lit

ill-gotten gains never prosper
ill-gotten gains never prosper


non c'è fumo senza arrosto

/non ˌt͡ʃ‿ɛ‿fˈfu.mo ˈsɛn.t͡sa arˈro.sto/

Literally, “there is no smoke without roast”.

no smoke without fire
no smoke without fire


squadra che vince non si cambia

Literally, “team that wins one does not change it.”

lit

Ricordando il detto “squadra che vince non si cambia”.... La famiglia tradizionale è stata sottoposta negli ultimi 50 anni da una moltitudine di soggetti che propongono modelli diversi, a volte originali e stravaganti, che vorrebbero soppiantare un’istituzione che invece per secoli si è dimostrata all’altezza del compito.

2023, Roberto Vannacci, Il Mondo al Contrario [The World in Reverse], independently published:

Remembering the saying "don't change horses in midstream".... The traditional family has been under attack over the last fifty years from a variety of groups who promote different family models, some of which are original and extravagant, that would like to supplant an institution that for centuries has shown itself to be up to the task.

don't change a winning team
don't change a winning team

don't change horses in midstream
don't change horses in midstream

don't change a winning team, don't change horses in midstream


mente sana in corpo sano

Calque of Latin mens sana in corpore sano. Compare French un esprit sain dans un corps sain.

cog

a healthy body is a healthy mind
a healthy body is a healthy mind


o mangi la minestra o salti la finestra

Literally, “either you eat the soup or you jump (out of) the window”.

lit

beggars can't be choosers
beggars can't be choosers

bitter pill to swallow
bitter pill to swallow

(colloquial) one must like it or lump it; beggars can't be choosers; one must take the bitter pill to swallow


occhio per occhio, dente per dente

an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth


si vis pacem, para bellum

Borrowed from Latin si vis pacem, para bellum.

bor+

if you want peace, prepare for war
if you want peace, prepare for war


questo passa il convento

Literally, “this is what the convent offers”.


factum infectum fieri nequit

Borrowed from Latin factum infectum fieri nequit. From Plautus' play Aulularia in Act IV, scene 10, line 11.

bor+

(chiefly law) what's done is done; particularly, if a governmental or administrative body makes an unlawful decision, the damage is done even if the decision is later ruled to be illegitimate and thus annulled. By extension, functionaries who implemented the decision at the time cannot be held legally responsible ex post facto for conduct that they did not know was wrong at the time.


cosa fatta capo ha

From Dante's La Divina Commedia (see the quotation below). First attested in 1472.

gridò: "Ricordera' ti anche del Mosca, / che disse, lasso!, 'Capo ha cosa fatta', / che fu mal seme per la gente tosca".

2000 [1472], Dante Alighieri, “Inferno”, in Robert Hollander, Jean Hollander, transl., La Divina Commedia [The Divine Comedy], Doubleday:

cried out: "Surely you'll remember Mosca also, / who said, alas: 'A done deed finds its purpose.' / For Tuscany, that was an evil seed."

there's no use crying over spilt milk
there's no use crying over spilt milk

what's done is done, there's no use crying over spilt milk


fidarsi è bene, non fidarsi è meglio

Literally, “to trust is good, not to trust is better.”

lit

one should not unconditionally trust anyone else


chi tace acconsente

Literally, “(he) who keeps quiet consents.” Compare French qui ne dit mot consent, Dutch wie zwijgt, stemt toe and Latin qui tacet consentire videtur.


abusus non tollit usum

Borrowed from Latin abusus non tollit usum. Literally, “the abuse does not prohibit the use.”

lit

potential abuse of something does not require that it be prohibited


falsitas quae nemini nocet non punitur

Borrowed from Latin falsitas quae nemini nocet non punitur. Literally, “a falsity that does not hurt anyone is not punishable.”

lit

one cannot punish an innocuous or white lie


it-pos

Borrowed from Latin excusatio non petita, accusatio manifesta.

bor+

a hit dog will holler
a hit dog will holler


in claris non fit interpretatio

Borrowed from Latin in claris non fit interpretatio. Literally, “interpretation is not done in the clear”.

lit

(law) interpretation is not necessary if the terms of the law are clear


acqua passata non macina più

let bygones be bygones
let bygones be bygones

let bygones be bygones, what's done is done