The following proverbs (my translation) taken from the book Proverbi Vastesi by Luigi Anelli deal with the contradictions of knowledge, gambling, and lying. And they do so with an impressive economy of words.

Aristotle famously wrote, 'The more you know, the more you know you don't know.' And this next proverb seems to sum this up perfectly in just three words:
‘Lu cchiu’ cannâsce lu mene.’
(More Knows Less.)

On the short-lived gains of gambling:
‘Quatréine di jéuche, dure péuche.’
(Money won lasts little.)
 
On the difficulties of maintaining deception:
‘Lu busciàrde à da tinà’ bona mimòrie.’
(Liars need good memory.)


Alberico Collina

Here is my translation of a few more proverbs from the wonderful book Proverbi Vastesi by Luigi Anelli. Although they are far from poetic, there is something of the eloquence of poetry in their ability to paint such compelling pictures in so few words.

On the tragedy of poverty:
'Lu dàbbete magne la notte.'
(Debt eats the night.)
 
On forgetting where you put things:
'La cas’ annascânne, n’arròbbe.'
(The home hides, it doesn’t steal.)

On why crime doesn't pay:
'La farèine di lu dujávele si li porte lu vende.'
(The wind takes the Devil’s flour.)


Alberico Collina

Recently, I came across a wonderful little book called Proverbi Vastesi (Proverbs from Vasto) by Luigi Anelli. Here are just a few gems in the original dialect from Vasto followed by my translation in English. Their brevity makes them particularly raw, honest, and endearing. I hope you enjoy them.

On the merits of being practical:
'Chi sa fa’ cambarrà'.'
(Those who can make, live.)

On the benefits of eloquence:
'Chi sa déice cambe filéice.'
(Those who can speak well, live happily.)

On the finality of death:
'Sol' a mort 'n gi sta' rimidie.'
(Only Death has no remedy.)

On the origin of crime:
'La nicissita’ ràmbe la legge.'
(Need breaks the Law.)

On legal tactics:
‘Sa é torte fa' cause, sa é 'rraggiàune accùrdete.'
(If you're in the wrong, sue; if you're in the right, settle.)


Alberico Collina