ConseggioLigure/zenamt huggingface dataset:
Ligurian:
# Viçenso Jacono (1887–1970)

Ben conosciuo autô sanremmasco, o l’aiva creou o personaggio còmico de Bigin Sciacastrasse, unna bugaixe pettelea co-a lengua comme unna battandella, che a-o tiatro e in scî giornali se scangiava battue furminante co-o seu amigo nemigo Mastr’Antò o Basté (stæto inventou da-o Gin De Stefani). Sti personaggi voeivan representâ i sentimenti di sanremmaschi à l’antiga, conservatoî e säi, nemixi de tutte e novitæ; no pâ che o Jacono o segge mai anæto ciù in là da creaçion de ste maccette, che tutti i mòddi incontravan areo o gusto do pubrico di seu tempi. Atro personaggio de seu invençion o l’è stæto Bacì Sussatapi, ch’o gh’é servio pe contâ a-a seu mainea l’istöia de Sanremmo.

O vegio Bacì o conta a-a seu mainea l’istöia de Sanremmo, de promê à un foghetto de amixi che ghe dan a mente con interesse. In corscivo o commento de un de lô.

A Bigin a vorrieiva ëse a tipica popolaña sanremmasca e a l’esprimme quelli che segondo l’autô son i sentimenti do popolo de fronte a-i cangiamenti da soçietæ moderna. Comme succede de spesso, unna poula ( «stupin» ) a vëgne à ëse o scimbolo do cangiamento di costummi.

English translation:
# Vincenzo Jacono (1887–1970)

A well-known Sanremese author, he created the character of Bigin Sciacastrasse, a gossipy washerwoman with a sharp tongue, who in the theater and newspapers exchanged fulminating jokes with her friend-enemy Mastr’Antò o Basté (invented by Gin De Stefani). These characters were intended to represent the sentiments of old-fashioned people from Sanremo, conservative and wise, enemies of all novelty. It does not seem that Jacono ever went further than the creation of these characters, which in any case completely met the taste of the public of his time. Another character of his own invention was Bacì Süssatapi, that served him to tell the history of San Remo in his own way.

Old Bacì narrates in his own way the history of Sanremo, in front of a huddle of friends who listen to him with interest. In italics the commentary of one of them.

Bigin is supposed to be the true Sanremo commoner and expresses what the author believes are the feelings of the common people in the face of changes in modern society. As is often the case, one word ( “stupin” ) becomes the symbol of changing customs.
Ligurian:
# Zane Agostin Pollinâ (sec. XVII)

Il Genio Ligure Trionfante (1697) de Zane Agostin Pollinâ o l’é un dramma inspiou à l’istòrica e longa rexistensa di Liguri à l’invaxon romaña, ma in realitæ o l’alludde a-a conteisa tra Zena e Fransa, ch’a l’aiva portou a-o tremendo bombezzamento do 1684 da parte de l’armâ do Re Sô. Inte sto caxo, o Capoâ, con tutto ch’o mantëgne çerti træti moralemente discuttibili do personaggio, o piggia unna connotaçion in sciâ fin poxitiva e o s’impegna pe-a primma vòtta inte de battagge vertadee, con arresegâ a vitta. Degno de nòtta o fæto che o nomme do Capoâ o segge, inte st’occaxon, Balilla; no se peu scappâ a-a suggestion che un quarche ligammo con l’eröe de Portöia o ghe segge. No beseugna ascordâ, de fæto, che inte primme attestaçioin à propòxito do sollevo antiaustriaco do 1746, no vëgne mensunou o figgeu ch’o l’à asbriou a primma pria, e ancon meno ne vëgne fæto o nomme. Donca, o sospetto de l’infiltraçion de quarche regòrdo, dòtto ò ascì collettivamente popolare, inta neccia do nomme attribuio à l’eröe, o pâ ciù che fondou.

English translation:
# Giovanni Agostino Pollinari (17th cent.)

Genio Ligure Trionfante (1697) by Giovanni Agostino Pollinari, is a drama inspired by the historic and long resistance of the Ligurians to the Roman invasion, but in fact alluding to the contention between Genoa and France, which had led to the terrible bombardment of 1684 by the Sun King’s fleet. Here, Caporale, while retaining many morally questionable character traits, takes on an ultimately positive connotation and engages in genuine battles for the first time, risking his life. Remarkable is the fact that the name of the Corporal is, on this occasion, Balilla. One cannot escape the suggestion that there is some connection with the hero of Portoria. In fact, it should not be forgotten that in the earliest records about the anti-Austrian uprising of 1746, the boy who threw the stone is not mentioned, let alone named. So, the suspicion about the infiltration of some scholarly or even collectively popular reminiscence in the choice of the name given to the hero seems more than well-founded.
Ligurian:
# Zane Andria Spinoa (1625–1705)

O l’appartegniva à unn’inlustre famiggia patriçia e o l’é stæto do 1673 Goernou da Còrsega, ambasciou à Madrid do 1678 e ascì Goernou de Saña do 1692. In contatto con ben ben de academie e lettiæ italien, o se conscideava, comme de fæto o l’é, l’inventô do melodramma pe muxica con de parte in zeneise; inte seu euvie, L’Ariodante inspiâ à l’Ariosto, L’Euròpa træta da-a mitologia grega, e La perfidia fulminata da Sansone da-a Bibbia, stæte scrite pe ëse misse in muxica, o l’introdue di personaggi che cantan in zeneise. Comme gh’é da aspëtâse, gh’é a mascara do Capoâ, che inti drammi do Spinoa o l’à de caratteristiche ciù poxitive, in confronto a-o personaggio za stæto portou in scena da-i seu predecessoî. Fòscia pe-e condiçioin politiche ömai cangiæ, co-a Repubrica meno condiçionâ da-a politica spagnòlla, o Capoâ o pâ meno dispòsto à cegâse de fronte a-i potenti.

Inte sto monòlogo destinou à ëse cantou, o Capoâ, à parte a seu bravua guerresca, o l’avvanta, cösa insòlita, e seu capaçitæ de cheugo, fra doggi sensci e alluxoin no sempre de bon intende.

English translation:
# Giovanni Andrea Spinola (1625–1705)

He belonged to a distinguished patrician family and was, in 1673, governor of Corsica, ambassador to Madrid in 1678 and also governor of Savona in 1692. He corresponded with many Italian academies and men of letters, he considered himself, as indeed he was, the inventor of melodrama for music with parts in Genoese. In his operas, L’Ariodante inspired by Ariosto, L’Europa taken from Greek mythology, and La perfidia fulminata da Sansone from the Bible, written to be set to music, he introduces characters who sing in Genoese. As is to be expected, the usual character of the corporal makes an appearance, exhibiting more positive characteristics in Spinola’s dramas than it did when it was brought to the stage by his predecessors. Perhaps because of the changed political conditions, with a Republic now less influenced by Spanish politics, the corporal seems less willing to bend before the powerful.

In this monologue intended to be sung, the corporal, aside from his warlike prowess, boasts – unusually – his skills as a cook, amid double entendres and allusions that are not always easy to understand.
Ligurian:
# A-a vorpe vegia no ghe dî mai «à coccio».

Convio à no piggiâ de sottogamba e opinioin di vegi, che in caxon da sò esperiensa peuan delongo dâ di conseggi a-i zoeni. Da osservâ che, inte unn’atra verscion do mæximo proverbio, se parla de «can vegio», cösa ciù appropriâ se se parla de «coccio»; donca chì ghe dev’ëse stæta l’interferensa do mòddo de dî ch’o l’identifica a persoña fucca e d’esperiensa con unna «vorpe vegia».

English translation:
# Alla volpe vecchia non dire mai «a cuccia».

An invitation not to disregard the opinions of the elderly, who, thanks to their experience, can always give advice to the young. It is worth noting that, in another version of the same proverb, the reference is to an “old dog,” which is more appropriate when speaking of a “kennel”; therefore, here there must have been interference from the expression that identifies a shrewd and experienced person with an “old fox.”
Ligurian:
# Un bello mei o va in bocca à un pòrco.

Se peu dî quande unna bella figgia a se maia con un òmmo ch’o no vâ ninte a-o sò confronto, ma no se escludde atre occaxoin, comme unn’onorifiçensa ch’a tocca à chi no se l’à guägna e scimili.

English translation:
# A beautiful apple goes into a pig’s mouth.

It can be said when a beautiful girl marries a man who is worth nothing in comparison to her, but other occasions are not excluded, such as an honor bestowed upon someone who does not deserve it and the like.
Ligurian:
# I figgeu devan parlâ quande e galliñe piscian.

A-i tempi de unna vòtta l’educaçion a l’ea ciufito severa e i figgeu no divan a seu opinion sensa o permisso do cappo de cà, ch’o l’ea o ciù vegio da famiggia (o baccan, o poin). S’ea figgeu fiña ben ben dòppo a maggiô etæ se no se portava de palanche à cà e se no s’ea maiæ.

English translation:
# Children must speak when hens piss.

In the past, upbringing was very strict and children did not voice their opinion without the permission of the head of the household, who was the oldest in the family (lit. the master, the godfather). One was considered a child even well past the age of majority if one did not bring money home and was not married.
Ligurian:
# I galantòmmi an o pei into creuso da man.

Pe commun, i zeneixi no se fian de quelli che gh’an a sveuga de galantòmmo; de lengê ascondan quarcösa de stòrto.

English translation:
# Gentlemen have hair on the palm of their hand.

Usually, Genoese folk don’t trust those who have a reputation as gentlemen; they easily hide something that isn’t quite right.
Ligurian:
# De vòtte da un mâ ne nasce un ben.

Analogo zeneise do dito italian: _«non tutti i mali vengono per nuocere»_: fiña inta desgraçia peu ësighe un lou poxitivo.

English translation:
# Sometimes a good thing comes out of a bad one.

The Genoese counterpart of the Italian saying: “non tutti i mali vengono per nuocere”: even in misfortune there may be a positive side.
Ligurian:
# Denti ræi, fortuña spessa.

Dito ch’o no l’à fondamento, feua che inte unna forma de sopestiçion fixiognòmica.

English translation:
# Sparse teeth, abundant fortune.

A saying that has no foundation other than in a form of physiognomic superstition.
Ligurian:
# Desandio, cicchetti e pöca cua pòrtan l’òmmo a-a seportua.

Dito de ammonimento à chi se lascia tentâ da-i desandi.

English translation:
# Stravizi, liquori e poca cura portano l’uomo alla sepoltura.

A cautionary saying for those who let themselves be tempted by excess.
Ligurian:
# Chi lengua à, à Romma va.

Perché o va in Parlamento, ma ciù in senso scimbòlico perché chi gh’à da lengua o l’à ciù probabilitæ de fâse vai.

English translation:
# Chi ha lingua, va a Roma.

Because he goes to Parliament, but more symbolically because those who know how to speak have a better chance of asserting themselves.
Ligurian:
# Chi à tæra, à guæra.

Chi possede quarcösa, o deve delongo scombatte pe defendila.

English translation:
# Chi ha terra, ha guerra.

Those who own something must always fight to defend it.
Ligurian:
# Beseugna cantâ e portâ a croxe.

Molte volte bisogna adattarsi e non lamentarsi, ma anzi fare finta di essere contenti di ciò che si è costretti a fare malvolentieri.

English translation:
# You must sing and carry the cross.

De belle vòtte beseugna adattâse e no allamentâse, ma ançi fâ mostra che s’é fiña contenti de quello che s’é arrægæ à fâ mäinvii.
Ligurian:
# Son ciù i sbiri che i prævi.

Se ghe dixe se un o meue e o lascia di poffi.

English translation:
# There are more cops than priests.

Said when someone dies leaving debts behind.
Ligurian:
# Zugando à biscambiggia, perde chi no piggia.

A biscambiggia a ghe sta solo pe-a rimma, ma se intende che se inte un dafæ no se ghe guägna, aloa se ghe scrosce delongo.

English translation:
# Giocando a briscola, perde chi non prende.

Briscola is mentioned only for the rhyme, but the meaning is that if you don’t gain anything in a deal, you always end up losing.
Ligurian:
# Un diao o score l’atro.

Quande ti gh’æ un gròsso lagno, ma o te passa, apreuo che te n’accapita un atro ciù gròsso ancon; ma dæto che in zeneise «scorrî» veu dî tanto «mandâ via», quante «corrîse apreuvo», a l’é bella st’idea di diäi che se coran apreuvo, magara con dâse de baccæ, à uso inferno de Dante.

English translation:
# One devil drives out another.

When you have some big worry, but it passes because an even bigger one comes along; since in Genoese _“scorrî”_ means both “to drive away” and “to chase one another,” this image of devils chasing each other is rather nice, perhaps whacking each other with cudgels, in the style of Dante’s inferno.
Ligurian:
# Quande a famme a monta a superbia a chiña.

Veu dîse che un pöveo o l’à da asbasciâ e seu preteise.

English translation:
# When hunger rises, pride falls.

It means that a poor man must lower his pretensions.
Ligurian:
# Donde gh’é ciù pasci che boccoin, lascighe anâ i bellinoin.

Donde gh’é da ricavâ ciù fadiga e angosciaie che guägno, megio lasciâ perde.

English translation:
# Where there are more steps than mouthfuls, let the fools go.

Where there’s more toil and trouble to be had than gain, better to let it go.
Ligurian:
# E belle son ammiæ, e brutte son piggiæ.

Dito pe consolâ e dònne che no spiccan pe bellessa.

English translation:
# The beautiful ones are admired, the ugly ones are taken.

Said to console women who do not stand out for their beauty.
Ligurian:
# Chi no n’à e no ne raspa, fa grammo Dënâ e pezo Pasqua.

I pövei se â veddan brutta.

English translation:
# Chi non ne ha e non ne raspa, fa cattivo Natale e peggiore Pasqua.

The poor have a hard time of it.
Ligurian:
# Un pittin pe vòtta s’é fæto Zena.

Pe un travaggio importante ghe veu do tempo e da paçiensa.

English translation:
# Genoa was built little by little.

An important work requires time and patience.
Ligurian:
# Chi gia o cû à Zena, o gia o cû a-i dinæ.

Dito ch’o l’aiva un senso a-i tempi de unna vòtta, quande Zena a contava davei quarcösa pe trafeghi e iniçiativa individuale.

English translation:
# Chi volta il sedere a Genova, volta il sedere ai soldi.

A saying that made sense in times past, when Genoa really counted for something, in trade and individual enterprise.
Ligurian:
# Vin vegio, amixi vegi, libbri vegi.

Son quelli che se ghe peu contâ.

English translation:
# Vino vecchio, amici vecchi, libri vecchi.

These are the ones you can count on.
Ligurian:
# Unna vòtta core o can, l’atra a levre.

Veu dî che tutti beseugna dâse da fâ a-o seu gio pe ottegnî un resultato.

English translation:
# One time the dog runs, the other the hare.

It means that everyone must take turns putting in the effort to achieve a result.
Ligurian:
# Unna legna sola a fa pöco feugo.

Pe ottegnî di resultati beseugna travaggiâ tanto.

English translation:
# A single piece of wood makes little fire.

To achieve results, you have to work hard.
Ligurian:
# Quande ceuve e luxe o sô tutte e strie fan l’amô.

Proverbio ch’o veu sottoliniâ a relativa stranessa do fenòmeno descrito, e ch’o no manca de poexia, con fâ pensâ à tutte ste strie che amoezzan quande se vedde insemme ceuve e luxî o sô, fòscia perché o l’accapita de ræo e lô son mai tanto sosse e gramme.

English translation:
# Quando piove e brilla il sole tutte le streghe fanno l’amore.

A proverb that aims to emphasize the relative strangeness of the phenomenon described, and which is not without poetry, evoking all those witches making love when it is seen to rain and the sun to shine at the same time, perhaps because it happens rarely and they are so ugly and wicked.
Ligurian:
# Ceuve sempre in sciô bagnou.

Scignificato sumeggeive à quello do proverbio un «un diao o score l’atro».

English translation:
# It always rains on the wet.

Similar meaning to the proverb _“un diao o score l’atro”_.
Ligurian:
# L’ægua menua a l’inganna o villan, pâ che no ceuve e a ghe bagna o cabban.

Proverbio ch’o mette in guardia da-i mastrusci sottî, che un o no se ne accòrze, ma dapeu o l’arresta stucciou.

English translation:
# L’acqua minuta inganna il contadino, sembra che non piova e gli bagna il gabbano.

A proverb that warns against subtle deceptions, the kind you don’t notice, but in the end you get caught out.
Ligurian:
# Arvî o n’à trenta, ma s’o n’avesse trentun o no faieiva mâ à nisciun.

Perché o l’é un meise piaxeive, no guæi freido, no guæi cado, e no se vorrieiva ch’o finisse. Fòscia o scignificato o l’é ligou à l’agricoltua ascì; l’existe ascì a verscion «arvî o n’à trenta e se ciuvesse trentun o no faieiva mâ à nisciun».

English translation:
# April has thirty days and if it had thirty-one it wouldn’t hurt anyone.

Because it is a pleasant month, not too cold, not too hot, and one wouldn’t want it to end. Perhaps the meaning is also tied to agriculture; there is also the version _“arvî o n’à trenta e se ciuvesse trentun o no faieiva mâ à nisciun”_.
Ligurian:
# Ni pe mazzo ni pe mazzon no te levâ o pellisson.

O tempo bello de mazzo de spesso o peu ingannâ, perché se peu avei de recheite de tempo grammo.

English translation:
# Né per maggio né per maggione non levarti il pelliccione.

The fine weather of May can often be deceptive, because there can be relapses of bad weather.
Ligurian:
# Unna sciô a no fa mazzo.

Proverbio co-o mæximo scignificato de quello italian ch’o dixe che «unna rondaniña a no fa primmaveia».

English translation:
# One flower does not make May.

A proverb with the same meaning as the Italian one that says “one swallow does not make spring.”
Ligurian:
# Mazzo o l’é o meise di axi.

Perché van in amô, ma o veu dî che da zoeni l’é façile fâ de scemmaie.

English translation:
# May is the month of donkeys.

Because they go into heat, but it means that when one is young it is easy to do foolish things.
Ligurian:
# Quande no ceuve nì de marso nì d’arvî, quello ch’o l’é nasciuo o torna à moî.

Se vëgne à mancâ l’ægua a-i brotti, sti chì meuan avanti de scricchî.

English translation:
# When it rains neither in March nor in April, what has been born dies again.

If water is lacking for the sprouts, they die before developing.
Ligurian:
# Meno fumme e ciù ròsto.

A tipica prattiçitæ di liguri.

English translation:
# Meno fumo e più arrosto.

The typical practicality of the Ligurians.
Ligurian:
# Meschin chi va, chi resta s’arrangia.

Proverbio ch’o se refeisce à chi meue.

English translation:
# Povero chi va, chi resta s’arrangia.

A proverb referring to those who die.
Ligurian:
# Mi ò a voxe e i atri an e noxe.

Quande un o l’é avvoxou pe quarcösa ch’o l’à fæto e chi ghe pòrta notorietæ, ma à guägnâghe in concreto o l’é quarchedun atro.

English translation:
# I have the voice and others have the nuts.

When someone is famous for something they have done that brings them notoriety, but the one who actually profits from it is someone else.
Ligurian:
# Mocciacci, cëghetti e tamborin do reggimento an pöca speransa de portâ o cû à sarvamento.

Perché ste categorie de persoñe, inte un ambiente tutto formou de òmmi areo, ben ben de vòtte ean assequææ à satisfâ e exigense sessuale di ciù vegi. Pe dî a veitæ, unna verscion ciù vegia do proverbio a parlava solo de «mocciacci» e «tamborin» e a diva che «an sempre speransa de portâ o cû à sarvamento», perché mossi e tamborin no se impegnan inte nisciun scontro co-o nemigo; ma quarche maiçioso – no se sa chi – o gh’à azzonto i cëghetti e o l»à cangiou o senso da frase con dî che de speransa no n»an guæi. Poei çernive viatri a verscion chi v’é ciù cao.

English translation:
# Cabin boys, altar boys, and regimental drummers have little hope of bringing their behinds to safety.

Because these categories of people, in an environment composed entirely of men, many times were forced to satisfy the sexual needs of the older ones. To tell the truth, an earlier version of the proverb spoke only of _“mocciacci”_ and _“tamborin”_ and said that _“an sempre speransa de portâ o cû à sarvamento”_, because cabin boys and drummers are not engaged in any clash with the enemy; but some mischievous person — who knows who — added the _“cëghetti”_ and changed the phrase, saying that they don’t have much hope. You can choose whichever version you prefer.
Ligurian:
# Matrimònni e maccaroin se no son cadi no son boin.

Son doe «pittanse» che beseugna consummâle tòsto che son leste, a-o sò momento.

English translation:
# Matrimoni e maccheroni se non sono caldi non sono buoni.

They are two “dishes” that must be consumed as soon as they are ready, at their proper moment.
Ligurian:
# Ninte l’é tròppo pöco.

Proverbio valido inte de varie scituaçioin; se fasso un lou e diggo che in cangio no veuggio ninte, mettemmo che segge pe gratitudine ò atra raxon, me porrian dî che «ninte l’é tròppo pöco»: esprescion ch’a l’asconde, e ciù vòtte, unna çerta ipocrexia.

English translation:
# Nothing is too little.

A proverb that applies to various situations; if I do a job and say that I want nothing in return, let’s say out of gratitude or some other reason, I may be told that _“ninte l’é tròppo pöco”_: an expression that often conceals a certain hypocrisy.
Ligurian:
# Nisciun no l’é contento da seu sciòrte.

Conçetto ch’o se treuva za espresso inte l’antighitæ, à ex. inte satire de Oraçio, primmo libbro, satira primma.

English translation:
# No one is happy with their lot.

A notion we already find expressed in antiquity, e.g. in Horace’s satires, first book, first satire.
Ligurian:
# No basta avei raxon, beseugna saveisela fâ vai.

Se un o no l’é bon da fâse conosce e seu raxoin, l’é comme s’o l’avesse tòrto.

English translation:
# Being right isn’t enough, you have to know how to assert it.

Whoever is unable to have their reasons acknowledged is as good as in the wrong.
Ligurian:
# De moæ ghe n’é uña sola.

Nisciun ne veu ben comme nòstra moæ, pe commun.

English translation:
# Di mamma ce n’é una sola.

No one loves us as much as our mother, usually.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù un amigo che çento pænti.

De belle vòtte i amixi ne veuan ciù ben che i pænti.

English translation:
# A friend is worth more than a hundred relatives.

Many times friends love us more than our relatives do.
Ligurian:
# Zeugo de man, zeugo da villan.

Proverbio ch’o l’esiste pægio in italian, contra e persoñe dagæse.

English translation:
# Gioco di mano, gioco da villano.

A proverb that exists identically in Italian, against people who are quick to use their hands.
Ligurian:
# Voxe de pòpolo, voxe de Dio.

Se e gente fan corrî unna sveuga, l’é probabile ch’a l’agge quarche fondamento.

English translation:
# Voce di popolo, voce di Dio.

If people are spreading a rumor, it is likely to have some basis in truth.
Ligurian:
# Vonzi e freiga pöca breiga, ti guaiæ se ti porriæ.

Se ghe dixe à chi giamiña abrettio pe ottegnî quarcösa, ma se pensa za ch’o no sciortià à ninte.

English translation:
# Ungi e frega poca briga, guarirai se potrai.

Said of someone who exerts themselves greatly to obtain something, but who is already considered unlikely to succeed.
Ligurian:
# Tutti vorrieivan piggiâ o doçe e lasciâ l’amao.

Tutti vorrieivan gödî di benefiçi de unna scituaçion, ma sensa piggiâse e rogne che sti chì tante vòtte se pòrtan apreuvo.

English translation:
# Everyone would like to take the sweet and leave the bitter.

Everyone would like to enjoy the benefits of a situation, but without taking on the troubles that these often bring with them.
Ligurian:
# L’é megio ëse invidiæ che compatii.

Perché se un o l’é invidiou veu dî ch’o stà ben de salute e de dinæ.

English translation:
# Better to be envied than pitied.

Because if someone is envied, it means they are well in health and finances.
Ligurian:
# Mòrto un Pappa, se fa un Pappa e un cardinale.

Comme dî, che anche a-o problema ciù gròsso se peu attrovâ recatto e fâ anâ e cöse ancon megio che primma.

English translation:
# Morto un Papa, si fa un Papa e un cardinale.

That is, even the biggest problem can be remedied, and things can be made to go better than before.
Ligurian:
# Fanni do ben a-i teu e a-i atri se ti peu.

Proverbio un pittin familista, ch’o mette in resato l’importansa do pensâ avanti de tutto a-a nòstra famiggia, ò à quelli da nòstra parte.

English translation:
# Fa’ del bene ai tuoi e agli altri se puoi.

A somewhat familistic proverb, which highlights the importance of thinking first of all about our family, or those on our side.
Ligurian:
# Caa sensa cô, ò fäso ò traitô.

Chi l’é futo in caa o passava pe ëse unna persoña fäsa.

English translation:
# Faccia senza colore, o falso o traditore.

Anyone with a pale face was considered a false person.
Ligurian:
# Con l’amê se piggia e mosche.

Co-a cortexia se ottëgne de ciù che co-e mainee brusche.

English translation:
# You catch flies with honey.

You achieve more with kindness than with harshness.
Ligurian:
# Con ninte no se fa ninte.

Pe ottegnî quarcösa de bon, beseugna ëse in condiçion d’arresegâ.

English translation:
# Con niente si fa niente.

To obtain something good, you must be in a position to take risks.
Ligurian:
# Con un pö d’ægua, un pö de succao e unna pilloa inargentâ, a-e spalle do tarlucco se fa d’öo o speçiâ.

Proverbio ch’o l’inscinua dubbi verso i speçiæ, di quæ i vegi zeneixi no se fiavan guæi.

English translation:
# With a little water, a little sugar, and a silvery pill, at the fool’s expense the apothecary grows rich.

A proverb that casts doubts on pharmacists, whom the old Genoese did not trust much.
Ligurian:
# A sciarbella a stà tanto in sciâ pòrta che ven quello ch’o l’arrösa.

Se ghe diva a-e figge che se metteivan in mostra pe attrovâ maio.

English translation:
# The slipper stays at the door so long that someone comes and takes it away.

It was said of girls who put themselves on display to find a husband.
Ligurian:
# A testa a l’é o megio da bestia.

O veu dî che o çervello, co-a seu intelligensa, o l’é quello che gh’emmo de megio.

English translation:
# The head is the best part of the beast.

It means that the brain, with its intelligence, is the best thing we have.
Ligurian:
# Tæra neigra a fa bon gran.

In ciù do scignificato letterale, o veu dî che de vòtte a persoña, o figgeu, l’allevo ch’o pâ ciù grammo o l’é quello ch’o fa ciù boña riescia. Ghe n’é ascì unna variante ciù longa.

English translation:
# Terra nera fa buon grano.

Beyond the literal meaning, it means that sometimes the person, the boy, the pupil who seems the worst is the one who turns out best. There is also a longer variant.
Ligurian:
# Tæra neigra a fa bon gran, tæra gianca a fa bon pan.

L’é de grammo dî quante seggian vee ste indicaçioin; o «bon pan» o dovieiva ëse unna conseguensa do «bon gran».

English translation:
# Terra nera fa buon grano, terra bianca fa buon pane.

It’s hard to say how true these claims are; “good bread” should be a consequence of “good grain.”
Ligurian:
# À tutt’oe nasce fonzi.

Tutto o peu ëse, no se peu mai dî.

English translation:
# A tutte le ora nascono funghi.

Anything can happen, you can never tell.
Ligurian:
# Mòrta a vacca, spartia a seussia.

Stæta scentâ a caxon da descòrdia, no gh’é ciù raxon de rattellâ, ni de restâ sòçi.

English translation:
# Morta la vacca, spartita la soccida.

Once the cause of the discord is gone, there is no longer any reason to quarrel, nor to remain partners.
Ligurian:
# À unna dònna ben maiâ sciuga fito a seu bugâ.

Inte un maiezzo feliçe, tutte e cöse van pe-o verso giusto.

English translation:
# A una donna ben maritata asciuga presto il suo bucato.

In a happy marriage, everything goes the right way.
Ligurian:
# A veitæ a bruxa à tutti.

Nisciun gh’é cao sentîse dî tutta a veitæ in sciô moro.

English translation:
# The truth burns everyone.

No one likes being told the whole truth to their face.
Ligurian:
# Ghe diva ben o sciô Lucco: se se vende sotta costo, o speçiâ o se mangia o succao.

Pe arriescî inta vitta, beseugna savei ammiâ ben a-i nòstri interesci.

English translation:
# Mr. Luca was right: if you sell below cost, the apothecary eats the sugar.

To succeed in life, one must know how to safeguard one’s own interests.
Ligurian:
# Chi à da fâ cammin, ammie o tempo.

Se s’à da fâ un lou ch’o se antevedde longo, beseugna premunîse ben.

English translation:
# Those who have a long road ahead, watch the weather.

If one must undertake a task expected to be lengthy, one must prepare well in advance.
Ligurian:
# Chi à di dinæ o perde l’anima, chi no n’à l’anima e o còrpo.

O primmo perché o se î spende inti viçi, o segondo perché o no peu cuâ e conseguense di viçi.

English translation:
# Whoever has money loses their soul, whoever has none loses both soul and body.

The first because they spend it on vices, the second because they cannot even remedy the consequences of vices.
Ligurian:
# Mazzo çexe à l’assazzo, zugno çexe à pugno.

Proverbio do mondo de l’agricoltua, ch’o l’à unna seu validitæ.

English translation:
# Maggio ciliegie all’assaggio, giugno ciliegie a pugno.

An agricultural proverb, which holds true.
Ligurian:
# Mazzo e frasche, zugno e borrasche.

In ciù do scignificato letteale, o veu dî che da zoeni l’amô o pâ tutto bello, ciù avanti xo-i anni comensa e angosciaie.

English translation:
# In May the caresses (the light showers), in June the storms.

Beyond the literal meaning, it suggests that in youth love is beautiful, but with advancing years the troubles begin.
Ligurian:
# Se l’é zugno sensa vento, l’annâ a va à sarvamento.

Proverbio meteorològico do mondo contadin, do quæ no semmo testemoniâ a veridiçitæ.

English translation:
# Se giugno è senza vento, l’annata va a salvamento.

Meteorological proverb from the farming world, whose truthfulness we are unable to vouch for.
Ligurian:
# A negia de San Gioan a se mangia a paggia e o gran.

Segondo sto proverbio, a negia a-o prinçipio da stæ (S. Gioan, 24 de zugno) a l’impedisce a cresciansa de l’erba e do gran.

English translation:
# The fog of Saint John eats up the straw and the wheat.

According to this proverb, fog at the beginning of summer (St. John, June 24) prevents the growth of grass and wheat.
Ligurian:
# Chi va pe ròsto o perde o pòsto.

Chi va in çerca de avei sempre de ciù, de belle vòtte o s’attreuva mâ e o perde i benefiçi ch’o l’aveiva za.

English translation:
# Chi va per arrosto perde il posto.

Those who seek to gain more and more often end up worse off and lose the benefits they already enjoyed.
Ligurian:
# Ni pe tòrto e ni pe raxon no te lasciâ mette in prexon.

Chì coscì a morale zeneise a s’arrösa ben ben da quella de Socrate, ch’o l’à açettou a condaña à mòrte pe mostrâ che beseugna obedî a-e lezze da çittæ. Primum vivere, deinde philosophare, pâ che ne diggan i antighi zeneixi.

English translation:
# Nè a torto né a ragione lasciati mettere in prigione.

Here Genoese morality departs considerably from that of Socrates, who accepted the death sentence in order to teach that one must obey the laws of the city. Primum vivere, deinde philosophare, the ancient Genoese seem to be telling us.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu vive ben e san, pisce spesso comme o can.

Regola igienica ch’a l’à un seu fondamento.

English translation:
# Chi vuol vivere bene e sano, orini spesso come il cane.

A hygienic rule that has its own basis.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu stâ in boña co-o prinçipâ, co-e moen da festa o l’à da manezzâ.

Ammonimento ciæo à tutti, de tegnîse in boña co-o datô de travaggio.

English translation:
# Chi vuole stare in buona con il principale, deve maneggiarlo con le mani della domenica.

A clear warning to everyone to stay on good terms with their employer.
Ligurian:
# Sciusciâ e sciorbî no se peu.

A-o mondo no se peu avei tutto into mæximo tempo.

English translation:
# You can’t blow and suck at the same time.

In this world you can’t have everything at once.
Ligurian:
# À Pentecòste vattene in scî terrapin co-a çimma piña e e euve into cavagnin.

I terrapin en in scî bricchi giusto a-e spalle de Zena.

English translation:
# At Pentecost head off to the terrapieni with stuffed cima and eggs in the little basket.

The terrapieni are on the hills just behind Genoa.
Ligurian:
# Caccia à l’äia e spea in Dio, che o successo o l’é de l’òmmo ardio.

O proverbio o fa intende che quarche vòtta beseugna anche incallâse e anâ un pittin ciù co-a testa into sacco, in cangio de stâ à fâ tanti conti.

English translation:
# Butta all’aria e spera in Dio, che il successo è dell’uomo coraggioso.

The proverb suggests the idea that sometimes you have to dare and rush in headlong, instead of making so many calculations.
Ligurian:
# Cangia çê e no pensceo chi va à stâ à l’estranxeo.

Ognidun se pòrta apreuvo a seu mentalitæ e i seu ponti deboli, mæximo s’o cangia de cà.

English translation:
# Cambia cielo e non pensiero chi va a stare all’estero.

Everyone takes along their own mentality and weaknesses, even when they change home.
Ligurian:
# Chi à sprescia vagghe adaxo.

Perché i travaggi fæti con carma riëscian ciù ben.

English translation:
# Those in a hurry should go slowly.

Because work done calmly turns out better.
Ligurian:
# No gh’é bella reusa ch’a no vëgne un grattacû.

O se referisce a-a zoentù ch’a vëgne passa, ma gh’é ascì un zeugo de poule co-o nomme grego de un genere de erboi: _crataegus_, da famiggia de _rosacee_, ch’o l’é prononçiou in zeneise «grattacû» e o piggia unna sfummatua còmica; sto nomme o ven dæto in zeneise a-a reusa caniña.

English translation:
# There is no beautiful rose that does not turn into a hip.

It refers to youth that withers, but there is also a play on words with the Latin name of a genus of trees: _crataegus_, of the _rosaceae_ family, which is pronounced in Genoese _“grattacû”_ and takes on a comic nuance; this name is given in Genoese to the dog rose.
Ligurian:
# Spassoia neuva a spassa ben trei giorni.

Perché te imbarluga a seu novitæ, dapeu a l’é comme e atre.

English translation:
# A new broom sweeps well for three days.

Because its novelty deceives you, then it’s like all the others.
Ligurian:
# Tanti pöchi fan un assæ.

Bisà tegnîse da conto de tutto.

English translation:
# Tanti pochi fanno un molto.

One must value every little thing.
Ligurian:
# Nisciun nasce meistro.

Comme dî che nisciun l’é infallibile e se peu sempre imprende.

English translation:
# No one is born a master.

As if to say that no one is infallible and there is always something to learn.
Ligurian:
# Testa d’ase a no peia mai.

Ciù un o l’é ignorante ciù a ghe va ben.

English translation:
# Testa d’asino non diventa mai calva.

The more ignorant one is, the luckier one is.
Ligurian:
# O tia à tutto comme o scceuppo de præ Michê.

Dito de chi o l’é avido comme tutto, ma ascì de chi o preuva à cortezzâ tutte e dònne.

English translation:
# Tira a tutto come il fucile di don Michele.

Said of someone who is extremely greedy, but also of someone who tries to court every woman.
Ligurian:
# Dinæ e santitæ, meitæ da meitæ.

No beseugna credde guæi à chi s’avvanta de seu palanche e da seu santitæ.

English translation:
# Denari e santità, metà della metà.

One should not believe too much those who boast of their money and their holiness.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu vedde un grammo, fasse arraggiâ un bravo.

De soventi, e persoñe che pan e ciù quete, son quelle che quande s’arraggian tian feua ciù venin che e atre.

English translation:
# Chi vuole vedere un cattivo, faccia adirare un buono.

Often, the people who seem the most peaceful are those who, when angered, show more wrath than others.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu pan, pòrze a man.

Analogo à «chi no cianze no tetta».

English translation:
# Chi vuol pane, porga la mano.

Similar to _“chi no cianze no tetta”_.
Ligurian:
# Chi no n’accatta, no ne vende.

Chi no s’incalla mai, o no guägna mai ninte.

English translation:
# Chi non ne compra, non ne vende.

He who never dares, never gets anything.
Ligurian:
# Röba dæta a l’é ciù che vendua.

Into senso che a no se peu ciù piggiâ in derê, à meno de unna fottifigua.

English translation:
# Roba donata è più che venduta.

In the sense that it can no longer be taken back, except by making a poor impression.
Ligurian:
# Avanti de moî beseugna veddine de belle.

Inta vitta no se sa mai cöse n’aspeta.

English translation:
# Before dying, one must see some strange things.

In life you never know what awaits you.
Ligurian:
# Chi no vonze n’avaa.

Beseugna vonze e reue, se se veu anâ avanti: a gramma usansa da becchelleuia a gh’é sempre stæta.

English translation:
# Chi non unge non vara.

You have to grease the wheels if you want to move forward: the bad habit of the bribe has always existed.
Ligurian:
# Se Milan o l’avesse o pòrto de Zena ne faieivan un òrto.

Tra Zena e Milan gh’é sempre stæto un pö de ruzze, con giöxie de varia natua, tra e quæ a presensa da mæña e do pòrto à Zena, tanto che Milan a no ghe n’à.

English translation:
# If Milan had the port of Genoa they would make it a vegetable garden.

Between Genoa and Milan there has always been a bit of friction, with rivalries of various kinds, including the presence of the sea and the port in Genoa, while Milan lacks them.
Ligurian:
# No gh’é pan megio che de gran.

A primma verscion de quæ se segge realizzaçion a l’é quella boña, sensa atri mastrusci.

English translation:
# There is no better bread than that of wheat.

The first version of any creation is the good one, without further fuss.
Ligurian:
# Se Zena a l’avesse a cianua, de Milan ne faieivan unna seportua.

Tra Milan e Zena uña de rouxie ciù frequente a l’ea dovua a-a giöxia pe-a fertile e ricca cianua lombarda, tanto che l’introtæra zeneise o l’é aspio e ruspo.

English translation:
# Se Genova avesse la pianura, di Milano farebbero una sepoltura.

Between Milan and Genoa, one of the most frequent grudges is due to jealousy of the fertile and rich Lombard plain, while the Genoese hinterland is harsh and barren.
Ligurian:
# Quande e nuvie van a-o monte, piggia a sappa e vatt’à sconde; quande e nuvie van a-o mâ, piggia a sappa e vanni à sappâ.

Proverbio meteorològico de origine contadiñe. Quande e nuvie pâ che s’ammuggian verso e montagne, sens’atro ciuvià e donca no l’é o momento de mettise à sappâ a tæra; incangio, quande e nuvie van verso a mæña, no ciuvià e se peu mettise à travaggiâ.

English translation:
# When the clouds go to the mountain, take the hoe and go hide; when the clouds go to the sea, take the hoe and go hoeing.

A weather proverb of peasant origin. When the clouds seem to gather toward the mountains, it will surely rain, and so it is not the time to start hoeing the ground; on the other hand, when the clouds head toward the sea, it will not rain and one can set about working.
Ligurian:
# Quande o sô o picca inte veie, piggia o doggio e trâ da beie; quande o sô o picca inta poppa, piggia o pan e caccilo in bocca.

Proverbio ch’o se referisce a-a vitta de bòrdo.

English translation:
# When the sun beats on the sails, grab the tankard and pour a drink; when the sun beats on the stern, grab the bread and toss it in your mouth.

Proverb referring to life on board.
Ligurian:
# Quande a dònna a vëgne vegia, a perde ògni virtù; a pelle a se gh’arrappa e a chitara a no seunna ciù.

No l’é o caxo d’ascciæî cöse s’intende chì pe «chitara».

English translation:
# When a woman grows old she loses every virtue; her skin wrinkles and the guitar no longer plays.

There is no need to explain what is meant here by “guitar.”
Ligurian:
# Tutte e case an o seu parreco.

Segondo unn’atra verscion: tutte e case gh’an o seu canònico; a pegoa neigra, o parascito. De soventi i zeneixi en stæti anteclericali fòrte.

English translation:
# Every house has its priest.

According to another version, every house has its canon, its black sheep, its parasite. The Genoese were often strongly anticlerical.
Ligurian:
# Un matto o ne fa rie quattro.

Chi dà mente a-e sciollaie de un matto, o l’é ancon pezo che lê.

English translation:
# Un matto ne fa ridere quattro.

Whoever pays attention to the foolishness of a madman is even worse than he is.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù un bon nomme che tutti i dinæ do mondo.

A boña reputaçion, mascime in ponto commerçi, l’ea quello che i zeneixi tegnivan ciù che tutto.

English translation:
# A good name is worth more than all the money in the world.

A good reputation, especially in commercial matters, was what the Genoese cared about more than anything else.
Ligurian:
# Nisciun no peu dî «de st’ægua no ne beiviò».

À sto mondo no se peu mai dî, ni escludde nisciuña poscibilitæ.

English translation:
# No one can say “I will never drink of this water.”

In this world one can never say never, nor rule out any possibility.
Ligurian:
# Inte l’ægua che no se veu beive se ghe nega.

De soventi, semmo arrægæ à açettâ de scituaçioin che no aviëscimo maiciù pensou de dovei manco affrontâ.

English translation:
# Nell’acqua che non si vuole bere ci si annega.

Often, we are forced to accept situations that we never even thought we would have to face.
Ligurian:
# No ëse ni can ni lô.

Comme quande se dixe in italian che un o no l’é «ni carne ni pescio».

English translation:
# To be neither dog nor wolf.

Like when in English we say someone is “neither fish nor fowl.”
Ligurian:
# Uña a ê paga tutte.

Peu accapitâ che dòppo tante malaçioin, a puniçion a l’arrive tutta insemme.

English translation:
# Una le paga tutte.

It can happen that, after so many misdeeds, punishment arrives all of a sudden.
Ligurian:
# Luggio, battuggio.

Perché à luggio se batte o gran.

English translation:
# July, the thresher.

Because in July the wheat is threshed.
Ligurian:
# Fin à Sant’Anna i faxeu montan in sciâ canna, da Sant’Anna in sciù no ghe montan ciù.

A festa de Sant’Anna a l’é a-i 26 de luggio; veu dîse che fin a-a meitæ da stæ i faxeu van avanti à cresce e dapeu se ferman.

English translation:
# Until Saint Anne’s day the beans climb up the pole, from Saint Anne’s onward they climb no more.

The feast of Saint Anne falls on July 26: this means that until midsummer the beans keep growing, then they stop.
Ligurian:
# Mainâ, mai ninte.

Quella do mainâ a no l’ea de seguo unna profescion ammâ; i zeneixi se ghe dedicavan perché no poeivan fâne de meno.

English translation:
# Marinaio, mai niente.

That of the sailor was certainly not a beloved profession; the Genoese took it up because they had no choice.
Ligurian:
# O se ciamma mâ, no ben.

Zeugo de poule: in zeneise «mâ» o veu dî segge _«mare»_ segge _«male»_. Proverbio che tra l’atro o fa capî comme i zeneixi che devan tanto da seu vitta a-o mâ e a-o navegâ, no gh’en affeçionæ pe ninte, ma l’ammian con mäfiansa.

English translation:
# It’s called bad, not good.

Play on words: in Genoese _“mâ”_ means both “sea” and “bad”. A proverb that, among other things, shows us how the Genoese, who owe so much of their lives to the sea and to seafaring, are not at all fond of it, but rather regard it with suspicion.
Ligurian:
# Chi n’abbe n’abbe, chi l’é de sotta ghe stagghe.

Melancònica rescignaçion a-e ingiustiçie da vitta, tipica da coltua popolare. Degno de nòtta l’uso do passou perfetto che in zeneise o no l’existe da ben ben de tempo.

English translation:
# Chi n’ebbe n’ebbe, chi è di sotto ci stia.

Melancholy resignation to the injustices of life, typical of popular culture. Noteworthy is the use of the passato remoto, which has long fallen out of use in Genoese.
Ligurian:
# I pollin veuan fotte o pollaieu.

Quande quarche pivetto o çerca à imbroggiâ quarchedun ciù asperto che lê.

English translation:
# The chicks want to dupe the poulterer.

When some greenhorn tries to deceive someone craftier than himself.
Ligurian:
# A Lanterna de Zena a l’é fæta à trei canti.

A ghe n’à quattro, ma un o l’arresta delongo ascoso; o dito o veu dî che no beseugna credde a-e apparense.

English translation:
# La Lanterna di Genova è fatta a tre angoli.

It actually has four, but one always remains hidden; the saying means that one should not trust appearances.
Ligurian:
# Moneghe de Sant’Agostin, con doe teste in sciô cuscin, moneghe de San Grigheu, con quattro gambe sotta i lençeu.

Se træta de persoñe fäse, de miödin; in scê moneghe à Zena, a-i tempi da Renascion, gh’ea a sveuga de ëse tutto feua che caste.

English translation:
# Nun of Saint Augustine, with two heads on the pillow, nuns of Saint Gregory, with four legs beneath the sheets.

These are false people, hypocrites; in Genoa, during the Renaissance, nuns had a reputation for being anything but chaste.
Ligurian:
# Gh’é de tutto in despa, à trei no gh’arrivan.

Mainea argua pe dî che ghe n’é un solo.

English translation:
# C’è di tutto in numero dispari, a tre non ci arrivano.

A witty way of saying that there’s only one.
Ligurian:
# A consolaçion di dannæ a l’é d’ëse tanti in compagnia.

A l’é fiña bella st’imagine di dannæ à l’inferno, tramezo a-e sciamme, che se consolan perché son in tanti, magara fan do sciato e se contan de barsellette.

English translation:
# The consolation of the damned is to be many in company.

It’s even a beautiful image, this one of the damned in hell, among the flames, consoling themselves because there are so many of them, perhaps making a racket and telling each other jokes.
Ligurian:
# Anche de vorpe se ne piggian.

Chì coscì se dixe in mainea scintetica – a-a zeneise – che fiña quelli ciù fuccai de vòtte arrestan vittime de quarche mastrusso.

English translation:
# Even foxes get caught.

Here it is stated in a concise way — Genoese-style — that even the most cunning people sometimes fall victim to some deception.
Ligurian:
# I fossoei no s’impan de rosâ, se no se guägna à l’in grande no se mette da parte dinâ.

Pe ottegnî di boin resultati bisà dâse da fâ, spendighe de dinæ, de l’impegno, mette a testa à cheuxe.

English translation:
# Torrents don’t fill up with dew, if you don’t earn big you can’t set money aside.

To achieve good results you have to get busy, spend money and effort on it, put your mind to it.
Ligurian:
# I strassoin beseugna lavâli in cà e destendili a-o feugo.

I ciæti de cà bisà attrovâghe recatto in famiggia, e fâ de mainea che no vëgnan descoverti.

English translation:
# Dirty laundry should be washed at home and dried by the fire.

Household problems should be solved within the family, and kept from being discovered.
Ligurian:
# Chi avanti no pensa, inderê sospia.

Se un o no pensa avanti à quello ch’o fa, dapeu o se mangia de repentio.

English translation:
# Chi prima non pensa, dopo sospira.

Those who do not think before acting later regret it.
Ligurian:
# O mondo o l’é de chi se ô piggia.

Convio à fâse avanti inta vitta sensa tròppo zinzannie e temmanse.

English translation:
# The world belongs to those who take it.

An invitation to step forward in life without too much hesitation and fear.
Ligurian:
# Dònna, cavallo e barca son de chi î cavarca.

Dito masccista, che se da unna parte o l’assomeggia a dònna à un oggetto che tutti se ô peuan piggiâ, da l’atra o â paragoña a-o cavallo e a-a barca, scimboli de libertæ e de indomabilitæ.

English translation:
# A woman, a horse, and a boat belong to whoever rides them.

A male-chauvinist saying, which on one hand reduces the woman to an object that anyone can take possession of, while on the other compares her to the horse and the boat, symbols of freedom and untamability.
Ligurian:
# Da l’erbo se conosce i fruti.

Proverbio træto da l’Evangëio de Mattê (7, 16).

English translation:
# By their fruits you shall know the tree.

Proverb taken from the Gospel of Matthew (7, 16).
Ligurian:
# Veggiâ a-a luña e dormî a-o sô no s’aquista ni röba ni önô.

Se ti passi e nottoañe à desandiâ, no ti guägni ninte e ti te fæ unna brutta nomminata.

English translation:
# Vegliare alla luna e dormire al sole non s’acquistano né beni né onore.

If you spend your nights in dissipation, you earn no money and gain a bad reputation.
Ligurian:
# O guägnâ o mostra à spende.

Giaminâ pe guägnâse o pan o ne mostra o valô do dinâ e che no beseugna asgreiâlo; a reixe da coscì dita avariçia di zeneixi a l’é a seu consapevolessa da varsciua do dinâ.

English translation:
# Earning teaches you to spend.

Toiling to earn our bread teaches us the value of money and that it must not be wasted; the root of the so-called stinginess of the Genoese lies in their awareness of the value of money.
Ligurian:
# Òmmo à cavallo seportua averta.

In ancheu se ghe dieiva «òmmo motorizzou, seportua averta».

English translation:
# Uomo a cavallo, sepoltura aperta.

Today one would say “motorized man, open grave”.
Ligurian:
# O mortâ o sa sempre d’aggio.

No poemmo tegnî ascose pe guæi e nòstre açioin.

English translation:
# The mortar always smells of garlic.

One’s actions cannot be kept hidden for long.
Ligurian:
# O negiâ ch’o fasse nege e o villan ch’o cheugge çexe.

À ognidun o seu mestê.

English translation:
# Let the pastry chef make wafers and the farmer pick cherries.

To each his own trade.
Ligurian:
# Pe andâ in roviña no ghe veu de misëia.

Pâ imposcibile, ma solo chi gh’à quarcösa o se peu arroinâ. A sola mainea pe ëse segui de no fâse arröbâ a l’é quella d’ëse pövei.

English translation:
# To be ruined you don’t need poverty.

It seems impossible, but only those who own something can be ruined. The only way to be sure of not being robbed is to be poor.