Some Sicilian Proverbs
Taken from popular (folk) culture, some of these proverbs originated in the Middle Ages and reflect the realities of another era. Some are as appropriate today as they were centuries ago. Others must be contemplated to be understood. In translation, many lose the rhymes they have in Sicilian.

Flies can't fly into a closed mouth.

The mother of a fool is always pregnant (with another one).

Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.

A jealous man is born cuckolded.

Your most faithful friends are your own hands.

Never trust your friend with a secret unless he is mute or a dog.

Better to have a good friend than a bad relative.

God gives cookies to those without teeth.

Her beauty is the only dowery a beautiful girl needs.

Whoever waits for time to pass loses time.

A fortress is made of more than one stone.

Don't trust your enemy's advice.

If your neighbor's house is afire, fetch water to save your own.

Morning makes the day.

An empty sack cannot stand up alone.

Don't become a sheep unless you want to be a wolf's meal.

The man who chases mules and believes women will never get to Heaven.

A woman who is young and beautiful is never poor.