ConseggioLigure/zenamt huggingface dataset:
Ligurian:
# O ninte o l’é bon pe-i euggi.

Ma l’é sottinteiso ch’o no l’é bon pe-a stacca.

English translation:
# Doing nothing is good for the eyes.

But it’s understood that it’s not good for the wallet.
Ligurian:
# O paisan o l’à delongo a tæra inte onge.

No poemmo mai delibeâse areo de nòstre reixe.

English translation:
# The peasant always has dirt under his nails.

We can never completely free ourselves from our origins.
Ligurian:
# O pan di atri o l’à sette croste, chi no ne mangia no ô conosce.

O Dante o l’esprimme un conçetto sumeggeive quande into XVII canto do Pareiso (58-60) o dixe «ti proviæ pöi comme sa mai de sâ / o pan folano, e comme e fòrse astalle / sciù e zu pe-e scae di atri pattellâ» (trad. F. A. Gazzo).

English translation:
# Other people’s bread has seven crusts, those who don’t eat it don’t know.

Dante expresses a similar concept when in canto XVII of the Paradiso (58-60) he says “tu proverai sì come sa di sale / lo pane altrui, e come è duro calle / lo scendere e salir per l’altrui scale”.
Ligurian:
# A primm’æguetta d’agosto a refresca l’äia e o costo.

Apeuvo che fiña solo che do bæxin o dà un pittin de sollevo a-a cädua.

English translation:
# La prima pioggerella d’agosto rinfresca l’aria e il cespuglio.

Since even just a light drizzle brings a bit of relief from the heat.
Ligurian:
# Chi dòrme d’agosto dòrme à seu costo.

Apreuvo che in campagna, ma anche da de atre parte, d’agosto gh’é ancon ben ben di loei da fâ e se se pösa se renonçia à do guägno.

English translation:
# Chi dorme d’agosto dorme a sue spese.

Since in the countryside, but also elsewhere, in August there is still much work to be done, and if one rests one gives up earnings.
Ligurian:
# D’agosto ni dònne ni mosto.

Quande l’é tròppo cado convëgne tegnîse lonten da-i rappòrti sessuali e da-o vin, perché peuan fâ mâ a-a salute, a-o manco segondo sto proverbio.

English translation:
# D’agosto né donne né mosto.

In excessive heat it is wise to keep away from sexual intercourse and wine, because they can harm one’s health, at least according to this proverb.
Ligurian:
# Agosto o peia o costo.

A tafagna d’agosto a fa seccâ e ciante.

English translation:
# August strips the bush bare.

The scorching August heat dries up the plants.
Ligurian:
# Rende de ciù un moro bon che un òrto into Besagno.

Apreuvo che da arente a-o sciumme Besagno gh’ea i òrti di villen che fornivan de verdue a çittæ de Zena.

English translation:
# A friendly face yields more than a vegetable garden in the Bisagno.

Along the Bisagno torrent lay the gardens of the farmers who supplied the city of Genoa with vegetables.
Ligurian:
# Sacco veuo o no peu stâ in pê.

Se no se mangia no s’é manco in condiçion de travaggiâ.

English translation:
# An empty sack won’t stand up.

If you don’t eat, you’re not even in a condition to work.
Ligurian:
# Chi n’à un n’à nisciun, chi n’à doî n’à un, chi n’à trei o l’à un diao pe davei.

Se parla de figgeu.

English translation:
# Chi ne ha uno non ne ha nessuno, chi ne ha due ne ha uno, chi ne ha tre ha un diavolo pe davvero.

This refers to children.
Ligurian:
# L’é megio vegnî rosci che neigri.

L’é megio vegnî rosci da-a vergheugna che neigri da-a famme; proverbio ch’o s’assomeggia à quell’atro «chi no cianze no tetta» e à l’atro «chi veu pan, pòrze a man».

English translation:
# Better to turn red than black.

Better to turn red with shame than black with hunger; a proverb similar to the other _“chi no cianze no tetta”_ and to the other _“chi veu pan, pòrze a man”_.
Ligurian:
# Unna man a lava l’atra e tutte e doe a cea.

Beseugna savei vegnî incontra a-e neçescitæ de tutti, con de compensaçioin.

English translation:
# Una mano lava l’altra e tutte e due la faccia.

One must know how to meet everyone’s needs, through mutual exchange.
Ligurian:
# No t’affiâ de chi no t’à confiansa.

Proverbio de unna çerta ovvietæ. No beseugna affiâse de chi no se fia de niatri, a confiansa a l’à da ëse reçiproca e no à senso unico; ançi l’é probabile che chi no se fia o l’agge za lê l’intençion, no dita, d’ammancâ de paròlla.

English translation:
# Don’t trust someone who doesn’t trust you.

A proverb of a certain obviousness. You shouldn’t trust those who don’t trust you; trust must be mutual and not one-way; indeed, it is likely that those who do not trust already have the intention, however unspoken, of going back on their word.
Ligurian:
# Baxo de bocca o cheu o no tocca.

Fiña un baxo de bocca o peu lasciâ indifferenti, inte çerte condiçioin.

English translation:
# Bacio di bocca il cuore non tocca.

Even a kiss on the mouth can leave one indifferent, under certain conditions.
Ligurian:
# Beati i urtimi, se i primmi son discreti.

Unna missa à giorno, a-a zeneise, do «descorso da montagna».

English translation:
# Blessed are the last, if the first are decent.

A Genoese update of the “Sermon on the Mount.”
Ligurian:
# Beghin de gexa, diao de cà.

I zeneixi son de spesso mäfiaddi verso quelli che se fa vedde che van in gexa.

English translation:
# Beghino in chiesa, diavolo in casa.

Genoese people don’t trust those who flaunt their piety.
Ligurian:
# À un bello fusto ghe sta ben tutto.

Unna persoña bella e ben fæta no gh’à guæi importansa cös’a se mette indòsso (cösa no sempre vea).

English translation:
# A un bel fusto sta bene tutto.

If a person is good-looking and well-built, it doesn’t matter what clothes they wear (which isn’t always true).
Ligurian:
# A pessa e o pontetto a manten o ricco e o meschinetto.

Se parla de l’arte de sarsî, in senso fixico ma ascì morale, che a vegniva ben segge a-o moscio che a-o pöveo (unna vòtta).

English translation:
# La pezza e il puntetto mantengono il ricco e il poveretto.

This refers to the art of mending, in a physical but also moral sense, which was useful to the rich as well as to the poor (once upon a time).
Ligurian:
# Co-a pansa piña se raxoña ciù ben.

Dòppo mangiou un o se sente in condiçion d’affrontâ di raxonamenti ciù impegnativi.

English translation:
# A pancia piena si parla meglio.

After eating, one feels up to tackling more demanding discussions.
Ligurian:
# Settembre, se taggia quello che pende.

Se parla da vendëgna.

English translation:
# In September you cut what hangs.

This refers to the grape harvest.
Ligurian:
# De settembre e d’agosto beivi o vin vegio e lascia stâ o mosto.

Perché o mosto o peu fâ mâ a-a sanitæ.

English translation:
# Di settembre e d’agosto bevi il vino vecchio e lascia stare il mosto.

Because must can be bad for your health.
Ligurian:
# Chi no cianze no tetta.

Perché se quarchedun o l’à de beseugno o no peu pretende che i atri s’asseunnan de seu neçescitæ.

English translation:
# Chi non piange non tetta.

Because if someone is in need they cannot expect others to guess at their state of necessity.
Ligurian:
# No se peu avei a moggê imbriæga e a botte piña.

À sto mondo no se peu avei tutto.

English translation:
# You can’t have your wife drunk and the cask full.

In this world you can’t have everything.
Ligurian:
# No beseugna imbarcâse sensa bescheutto.

Beseugna stâ lesti pe tutte e eveniense.

English translation:
# One must not set sail without a sailor’s hardtack.

One must know how to be prepared for every eventuality.
Ligurian:
# Chi paga avanti o l’é mâ servio.

Perché ömai o l’à za pagou.

English translation:
# Chi paga prima è mal servito.

Because by then he has already paid.
Ligurian:
# O sangue inte veñe ghe l’emmo tutti.

Perché fiña quelli che pan ciù spoioxi peuan avei un botto de orgheuggio e ribellâse à unna soverciaia.

English translation:
# We all have blood in our veins.

Because even those who seem most timid can have a surge of pride and rebel against an injustice.
Ligurian:
# Chi nasce bello o nasce affortunou.

Apreuvo che semmo tutti ciù dispòsti à vegnî incontra à unna persoña bella che à unna brutta.

English translation:
# Chi nasce bello nasce fortunato.

Since we are all more inclined to favor a beautiful person over an ugly one.
Ligurian:
# I speçiæ paçiensa no ne vendan.

Se ghe dixe à un ch’o ve fa perde a paçiensa, pe fâghe accapî ch’o no deve tiâ tròppo a còrda.

English translation:
# Pharmacists don’t sell patience.

Said to someone who is making you lose your patience, to make them understand that they shouldn’t push their luck too far.
Ligurian:
# Cöse giuste manco a-o mondo.

Tipico pescimiximo ligure.

English translation:
# There are no just things in the world.

Typical Ligurian pessimism.
Ligurian:
# Pe croxe de becco no ghe n’é ciù un dio de netto.

Tipica frase de quelli che rincianze o tempo passou.

English translation:
# Per croce di becco non c’è più un dito di pulito.

Typical phrase of those who long for the past.
Ligurian:
# Costa ciù cao unna casa regallâ che unna casa accattâ.

Perché dòppo ti devi ëse reconoscente pe tutta a vitta con chi te l’à regallâ.

English translation:
# A house given as a gift costs more than a house bought.

Because afterwards you have to be grateful for the rest of your life to whoever gave it to you.
Ligurian:
# Crava vegia a brocca ben, s’a no gh’à de megio a se pasce de fen.

Perché i vegi se contentan de pöco.

English translation:
# Capra vecchia bruca bene, se non ha di meglio si pasce di fieno.

Because old folks make do with little.
Ligurian:
# O diffiçile o l’é into comensâ.

Proverbio comprenscibile à tutti. Unna vòtta che s’é comensou à fâ unna cösa – ma chì se parla ciù che atro de viçi e de grammi andi – sta cösa a te vëgne da maniman ciù de bon fâ, e ançi de belle vòtte no ti sciòrti manco à ciantâla lì.

English translation:
# The hard part is getting started.

A proverb everyone can understand. Once you have started doing something — though here we are speaking above all of vices and bad habits — it gradually becomes easier, and indeed many times you can no longer even stop.
Ligurian:
# Di ciæti di atri no te mescciâ se ti veu vive in paxe e no rattellâ.

Exartaçion do queto vive.

English translation:
# Nei guai degli altri non ti mischiare se vuoi vivere in paxe e non litigare.

A celebration of the quiet life.
Ligurian:
# Pappetaxi o l’é in camixa, i ciæti de cà no se dixan.

Lözo da reservatessa.

English translation:
# Pappataci è in camicia, i pettegolezzi di casa non si dicono.

In praise of discretion.
Ligurian:
# Dio m’avvarde da un vexin prinçipiante de violin.

Perché in fæto o peu ëse ben ben angoscioso.

English translation:
# God save me from a neighbor who’s a beginner at the violin.

Because indeed it can be very annoying.
Ligurian:
# Parlo à ti, seuxoa, che ti me intendi, neua.

Parlâ à quarchedun con de alluxoin pe fâ capî unna cösa à quarchedun atro..

English translation:
# Parlo a te, suocera, che mi intendi, nuora.

To speak to someone through hints in order to get the message across to someone else.
Ligurian:
# Dio t’avvarde da chi leze inte un libbro solo.

Perché beseugna stâ à sentî e opinioin de tutti, e no de un solo.

English translation:
# God protect you from those who read only one book.

Because one must listen to everyone’s opinions, not just one person’s.
Ligurian:
# Dòppo çent’anni l’ægua a torna a-o seu moin.

Perché de spesso, da vegi, tornemmo à avei e opinioin ch’aivimo da zoeni, ò tornemmo à pensâ comme pensava i nòstri vegi.

English translation:
# After a hundred years the water returns to its mill.

Because often, when we grow old, we return to the opinions we held when young, or we return to thinking as our elders thought.
Ligurian:
# Dònne, scciuppette e libbri no se ne presta à nisciun.

Dito masccista, ch’o l’assomeggia a dònna à di oggetti, ma ch’o no manca de veitæ.

English translation:
# Women, guns, and books are not to be lent to anyone.

Another sexist saying, which compares women to objects, but which is not without its truth.
Ligurian:
# Dua ciù un gòtto astrunnou che un neuvo.

De vòtte unna persoña mâ ciappâ in salute a vive de ciù de uña, saña in apparensa.

English translation:
# A cracked glass lasts longer than a new one.

Sometimes a person in poor health lives longer than one who appears healthy.
Ligurian:
# Donde va a barca, va Baciccia.

De unna cobbia inseparabile, de amixi, ò de maio e moggê.

English translation:
# Dove va la barca, va Baciccia.

Said of an inseparable pair, whether friends or spouses.
Ligurian:
# À chi à testa no ghe manca cappello.

O senso o l’é che chi l’é intelligente o treuva delongo a mainea de cavâsela.

English translation:
# A chi ha testa non manca cappello.

The meaning is that those who are clever always find a way to get by.
Ligurian:
# Beseugna navegâ segondo o vento.

Beseugna saveise adattâ.

English translation:
# One must sail according to the wind.

One must know how to adapt.
Ligurian:
# O tempo o passa e a mòrte a ven, beato quello chi à fæto do ben.

Memento mori.

English translation:
# Time passes and death comes, blessed is he who has done good.

Memento mori.
Ligurian:
# Donniña picciniña a pâ sempre novelliña.

Dito ch’o respegia unna veitæ oggettiva.

English translation:
# Donnina piccinina sembra sempre novellina.

A saying that reflects an objective reality.
Ligurian:
# Chi à a faccia boña e o no se ne vâ, un gran bacögi o se peu ciammâ.

Dito ch’o ne convia à no avei poia de fâ vai e nòstre raxoin.

English translation:
# Whoever has a thick face and does not make use of it may be called a great fool.

A saying that urges one not to be afraid of standing up for one’s own reasons.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù un pö de son son, che tanto de eo eo.

Dito tipico do senso prattico di liguri.

English translation:
# Vale più un po’ di sono sono, che tanto di ero ero.

A saying typical of the practical sense of the Ligurians.
Ligurian:
# O tròppo o se versa.

Dito ch’o l’à o mæximo scignificato de quell’atro, italian ascì, ch’o dixe che «o tròppo o streuppia».

English translation:
# Il troppo si rovescia.

Saying with the same meaning as the other, also Italian, which says “il troppo stroppia.”
Ligurian:
# Tutto à seu tempo e e rave in Avvento.

Gh’é un tempo pe ògni cösa, comme ghe dixe anche l’Ecclesiaste; e rave ghe stan pe-a rimma, ma quelle d’inverno se comensan à recheugge pròpio quande o l’é o periodo de l’Avvento.

English translation:
# Everything in its own time, and turnips in Advent.

There is a time for everything, as Ecclesiastes also says; the turnips are there for the rhyme, but the winter ones begin to be harvested precisely during the period of Advent.
Ligurian:
# Chi fa de testa, paga de borsa.

Dito ch’o ne convia à dâ a mente a-i conseggi de chi ne sa ciù de niatri.

English translation:
# Chi fa di testa sua, paga di borsa.

A saying that urges us to heed the advice of those who know more than we do.
Ligurian:
# Giardin, fruga stacchin.

Pe ottegnî di resultati beseugna spende.

English translation:
# Giardino, fruga taschino.

To get results, you have to spend.
Ligurian:
# De novello tutto o l’é bello, de saxon tutto o l’é bon.

Veu dî che da zoeni ne pâ tutto bello, ma inte l’etæ ciù meuia semmo deçerne cöse o ô l’é bon pe davei.

English translation:
# Di novello tutto è bello, di stagione tutto è buono.

It means that when we are young everything seems beautiful to us, but with maturity we learn to discern what truly is.
Ligurian:
# Chi no s’inzegna o l’é stroppiou.

No beseugna fâse scappâ e occaxoin.

English translation:
# Chi non si arrangia è storpio.

One must not let opportunities slip away.
Ligurian:
# E persoñe se conoscian da-o træto.

Proverbio comprenscibile à tutti. A mainea de trattâ de persoñe a ne fa accapî chi son e comme â pensan; de mainea che se poemmo regolâ.

English translation:
# People are known by the way they behave.

A proverb understandable to all. The way people behave allows us to understand who they are and how they think; and we can act accordingly.
Ligurian:
# A tramontaña a no s’addescia, se o marin o no â remescia.

Proverbio meteorològico, che no se sa che fondamento o l’agge.

English translation:
# The tramontana does not awaken unless the sirocco stirs it.

A weather proverb, whose foundation is unknown.
Ligurian:
# Se l’é neigro à tramontaña vorrià fâ quarche boriaña.

Proverbio meteorològico, che pâ ch’o l’agge quarche fondamento.

English translation:
# If it’s black to the north, it means a storm is brewing.

A weather proverb that seems to have some basis in truth.
Ligurian:
# Treppa co-i fanti e lascia stâ i santi.

Ammoniçion à no mescciâ o sacro co-o profan.

English translation:
# Scherza con i fanti e lascia stare i santi.

A warning not to mix the sacred with the profane.
Ligurian:
# L’amô e a tossa no se peuan asconde.

O contrasto umoristico chì o nasce da-o paragonâ l’amô à un stato patològico (a tossa).

English translation:
# Love and a cough can’t be hidden.

Here the humorous contrast arises from comparing love to a pathological condition (a cough).
Ligurian:
# Chi tròppo veu, ninte à.

Dito conosciuo in italian ascì, comme «chi tròppo veu o no strenze ninte».

English translation:
# He who wants too much gets nothing.

A saying also known in Italian, as “chi troppo vuole nulla stringe”.
Ligurian:
# Cioña e scöpella, da unn’arva t’arresta unna tavella.

À son de refinî un travaggio, a va à finî che no n’arresta ninte.

English translation:
# Pialla e scalpella, da un’imposta ti resta un nottolino.

By dint of refining a piece of work, you end up with nothing left of it.
Ligurian:
# Chi avià ciù bello fî, faià ciù bella teia.

Chi avià ciù boin argomenti, no manchià de vedde reconosciua a seu raxon.

English translation:
# Chi avià migliore filo, farà migliore tela.

He who has the better arguments will not fail to see his case acknowledged.
Ligurian:
# Beseugna sentî tutte e campañe à sunnâ.

No beseugna dâ mente solo à l’opinion de unna parte in cousa, ma à tutte doe.

English translation:
# One must listen to all the bells ring.

One should not listen only to the opinion of one party involved, but to both.
Ligurian:
# Un bello taxei o no se peu scrive.

Dito conosciuo in italian ascì, e o veu dî che l’é sempre megio taxei ciufito che raxonâ abrettio.

English translation:
# Un bel tacere non si può scrivere.

A saying also widespread in Italian, meaning that it is always better to keep silent than to speak out of turn.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu tròppo sussâ, fito s’ingoa.

Chi veu ottegnî tròppo, a va à finî ch’o no piggia ninte.

English translation:
# Chi vuole troppo succhiare, presto si ingozza.

Those who want to get too much end up with nothing.
Ligurian:
# Chi temme amma.

Co-a scintexi caratteristica do ligure, se fa vai l’idea che l’amô pe unna persoña, e a giöxia ascì verso de lê, seggian quelli che inspian a temmansa pe-o seu destin.

English translation:
# Chi teme ama.

With the synthesis typical of the Ligurian, it expresses the view that love for a person, and even jealousy toward them, are what inspire fear for their fate.
Ligurian:
# A-o lumme de candeia o canavasso o pâ teia.

Inte de condiçioin de confuxon, ò de sprescia, un o peu restâ imbroggiou.

English translation:
# By candlelight, a rag looks like fine cloth.

In conditions of confusion, or in a hurry, one can be deceived.
Ligurian:
# A primma tempesta a l’é quella da man.

Proverbio ciufito scibillin, ma pâ ch’o veugge dî che primmo danno o se ô fa o mæximo paisan, quande o semeña o gran, se o no sa travaggiâ.

English translation:
# The first storm is the one of the hand.

In the sense that the first damage is inflicted by the farmer himself, who sows the wheat, if he does not know how to work.
Ligurian:
# Donde l’é passou carne e òsse no gh’é ciù un bellin ch’o no pòsse.

Quande a verginitæ pe unna dònna a l’ea a cösa ciù importante, ma o l’é un proverbio ch’o peu avei de atre applicaçioin ascì; à ex. unna persoña corròtta unna vòtta a l’é sempre corròtta.

English translation:
# Dove sono passati carne e ossa, non c’è più cazzo che non possa.

When virginity was the most important thing for a woman, though it’s a proverb that can have other applications too; e.g. a person once corrupted will always be corrupt.
Ligurian:
# Quande a vacca a l’arsa a testa, no stà guæi à arriâ a tempesta.

Proverbio meteorològico, che fòscia o l’aiva quarche corrispondensa co-a realtæ.

English translation:
# When the cow raises its head, it won’t be long before the storm arrives.

A weather proverb, which perhaps had some correspondence with reality.
Ligurian:
# Donde gh’é stæto do feugo, gh’é sempre da çenie cada.

Veu dî che se tra doe persoñe gh’é stæto quarcösa, mascime de l’amô, dapeu no se peu pensâ che quello feugo o segge asmòrto areo e pe delongo.

English translation:
# Where there has been fire, there is always warm ash.

It means that if something has gone on between two people, especially love, one cannot then think that the fire is completely and forever extinguished.
Ligurian:
# E bellesse inta pugnatta no se ghe mettan.

Clascico spiito ligure ch’o l’ammia a-o prattico.

English translation:
# Beauty doesn’t go in the pot.

Classic Ligurian spirit, with an eye to the practical.
Ligurian:
# Quande e moie son in sciô, un fuso pe seia o se peu za fiâ.

A-i tempi che ancon inte campagne se fava e veggee.

English translation:
# Quando le more sono in fiore, un fuso per sera si può già filare.

Back in the days when evening gatherings were still held in the countryside.
Ligurian:
# O bon mainâ o se conosce a-o tempo grammo.

A persoña de varsciua a se conosce inte difficortæ.

English translation:
# The good sailor is known in bad weather.

A person of worth is recognized in times of difficulty.
Ligurian:
# Nuvia rossa, ò che ceuve, ò che boffa.

Proverbio meteorològico, no sempre veo.

English translation:
# Nuvola rossa, o che piove o che tira vento.

A weather proverb, not always true.
Ligurian:
# Tutti i tempi vëgnan, basta saveili aspëtâ.

Uña de frequente osservaçioin, inti proverbi, in sciô fæto che o mondo o cangia e o dà à tutti unn’occaxon.

English translation:
# All times come, you just have to know how to wait for them.

One of the frequent observations, in proverbs, on the fact that the world changes and gives everyone a chance.
Ligurian:
# Sta coa a no l’é do mæ gatto.

Inte quarche dafæ gh’é introu de sfreuxo quarchedun ch’o no gh’intra.

English translation:
# This tail isn’t from my cat.

Someone has slipped into a matter who had nothing to do with it.
Ligurian:
# E lamente di vexin comensan a-a seia e finiscian a-a mattin.

Constataçion ciufito banale, ma verificabile.

English translation:
# The neighbors’ complaints begin in the evening and end in the morning.

A rather banal observation, but verifiable.
Ligurian:
# Chi veu avei unna gran fortuña, vòrte o cû pe contra a luña.

I zeneixi, pe commun, no creddan guæi a-e sopestiçioin e a-a scaramansia.

English translation:
# Chi vuole avere una gran fortuna volti il culo contro la luna.

Generally speaking, Genoese people don’t put much stock in superstition or lucky charms.
Ligurian:
# Chi no sa obedî, no sa commandâ.

Veitæ evidente e conosciua da tutti.

English translation:
# Chi non sa ubbidire, non sa comandare.

An evident truth, known to all.
Ligurian:
# Chi obedisce no fallisce.

A l’é a mascima do Martin Piaggio, autô ciufito reaçionäio: «… perché e revoluçioin produan di guäi / e chi obedisce no fallisce mai».

English translation:
# Chi ubbidisce non sbaglia.

It is the maxim of Martin Piaggio, a rather reactionary author: “… perché le rivoluzioni producono guai / e chi ubbidisce non fallisce mai”.
Ligurian:
# San Michê, tutte e strasse pan d’amê.

Pe-o giorno de San Michê comensa à vegnî freido.

English translation:
# San Michele, tutti gli stracci sembrano di miele.

By Saint Michael’s day, the cold begins to set in.
Ligurian:
# I ciuvussi de San Michê se no vëgnan avanti, vëgnan inderê.

Son i ciuvussi che annonçian o prinçipio de l’ötunno, ò avanti ò dòppo o giorno de S. Michê (29 settembre).

English translation:
# The storms of Saint Michael, if they do not come before, come after.

These are the storms that announce the beginning of autumn, either before or after Saint Michael’s day (September 29).
Ligurian:
# Gran nave, gran pensceo.

Unna grande intrapreisa a pòrta con lê di gren lagni.

English translation:
# Big ship, big worry.

A great undertaking brings great worries with it.
Ligurian:
# L’é megio ëse patron de unna sassoa, che capitanio de unna nave.

Pe-e responsabilitæ ch’o l’à o Capitannio de fronte à l’armatô e tutti atri ascidi che ghe tocca.

English translation:
# It is better to be master of a bailer than captain of a ship.

Because of the responsibilities this entails toward the shipowner and all the other troubles one has to face.
Ligurian:
# Ghe n’é pe l’ase e pe chi ô meña.

S’intende: de braggi e de bòtte.

English translation:
# Ce n’è per l’asino e per chi lo conduce.

Meaning: of reproaches and of blows.
Ligurian:
# I arraggiæ s’addentan a fronte.

Serv’assæ arraggiâse, ti peu fâ e dî quello che ti veu.

English translation:
# The angry bite their own foreheads.

It’s pointless to get angry, you can do and say whatever you want.
Ligurian:
# I fraveghi conoscian l’öo, l’ortoan o conosce o cöo.

À ognidun o seu mestê; proverbio do mæximo scignificato che l’atro ciù conosciuo: «o negiâ ch’o fasse nege», e «o villan ch’o cheugge çexe».

English translation:
# Goldsmiths know gold, the greengrocer knows cabbage.

Everyone has their own trade; a proverb similar in meaning to the better-known _“o negiâ ch’o fasse nege”_, and _“o villan ch’o cheugge çexe”_.
Ligurian:
# Chi n’arröba n’à de röba.

Chi l’é poscidente l’é façile ch’o l’agge arröbou.

English translation:
# Chi non ruba non ha roba.

Whoever owns property has likely stolen it.
Ligurian:
# Bon avvocato, cattio vexin.

Perché, se o vexin o l’é un bon avvocato, in caxo de ciæti e rattelle o l’avià guägna delongo.

English translation:
# Good lawyer, bad neighbor.

Because, if the neighbor is a good lawyer, in case of disputes and quarrels he will always come out on top.
Ligurian:
# L’ase o camalla o vin e o beive l’ægua.

O veu dî che chi loua o guägnià sempre meno de chi o ô fa travaggiâ.

English translation:
# The donkey carries the wine and drinks the water.

It means that those who work will always earn less than those who put them to work.
Ligurian:
# Chi loua mangia unn’ancioa, chi no loua o ne mangia doe.

O veu dî che chi travaggia o l’é sempre sfrutou.

English translation:
# Chi lavora mangia un’acciuga, chi non lavora ne mangia due.

It means that those who work are always exploited.
Ligurian:
# Quande l’òmmo o ven vegio o perde ògni virtù, e gambe fan fighetto e i cäsoin cazzan zu.

O fa da pandan con l’atro proverbio ch’o se referisce a-a dònna ch’a ven vegia.

English translation:
# When a man grows old he loses every virtue, his legs give way and his trousers fall down.

It serves as a counterpart to the other proverb referring to the woman who grows old.
Ligurian:
# Chi n’é avviou à cavarcâ o cû o ghe spella.

Chi n’à mai travaggiou o patisce de ciù se o l’é constreito à fâlo.

English translation:
# A chi non è abituato a cavalcare il didietro si spella.

Those who have never worked suffer more when forced to do so.
Ligurian:
# Chi tocca do carbon o l’arresta tento.

Quæ se segge attivitæ ò açion che se ghe dedichemmo a ne ghe lascia o segno.

English translation:
# Chi tocca del carbone resta tinto.

Every activity or action we engage in leaves its mark on us.
Ligurian:
# In compagnia fiña o præve o piggia moggê.

Unna persoña chi no gh’é avviâ, quand’a se treuva in compagnia a peu fâ de cöse ch’a no se aspëtieiva.

English translation:
# In company even the priest takes a wife.

A person who is not used to it, when in company, may do things they would never expect.
Ligurian:
# Into bòsco do diao no se ghe fa legne.

Veu dî che à commette de malaçioin no se ghe guägna mai.

English translation:
# Nel bosco del diavolo non si fa legna.

It means that by doing wicked deeds one never gains anything.
Ligurian:
# De d’ato liscio liscio, de sotta merda e piscio.

No beseugna affiâse de apparense.

English translation:
# Smooth and tidy on top, filth underneath.

One must not trust appearances.
Ligurian:
# Meschiña quella cà, che de vegio a no ne sa.

Proverbio ch’o l’esprimme da secoli, sotta forme despæge, a defeisa in favô di vegi, di «matusa», di _«boomer»_, (nommi che cangia à segonda di tempi) e da seu utilitæ, pe-a seu saviessa, into mandâ avanti unna famiggia.

English translation:
# Povera quella casa, che di vecchio non sa.

A proverb that for centuries has expressed, in various forms, a defense of the elderly, of the “matusa,” of the _“boomers”_ (names that change with the times) and of their usefulness, owing to their wisdom in managing a household.
Ligurian:
# E moggê di mainæ no son ni vidoe ni maiæ.

Apreuvo che i mai en de longo in viægio e lô, sensa ëse vidoe, l’é pægio che se o maio no ghe l’æsan ma no peuan manco piggiâse un atro òmmo. L’é ciæo che se træta de atri tempi e de atre imbarcaçioin; in ciù no gh’ea manco de aerei e de aviolinie che poessan consentî a-e persoñe de mesciâse ciù leste.

English translation:
# Sailors’ wives are neither widows nor wives.

Since their husbands are always away on voyages and they, without being widows, are as if they had no husband, yet neither can they take another man. It is clear that this refers to other times and other vessels, and moreover there were no airplanes or airlines that allowed people to travel more quickly.
Ligurian:
# I òmmi no se mesuan à parmi.

Pe consolâ quelli che son basci de statua.

English translation:
# Men aren’t measured by the span.

To console those who are short in stature.
Ligurian:
# Into paise di òrbi, i guersci regnan.

O veu dî che tramezo à de gente boñe da ninte, fiña un scciappin o fa a seu bella figua.

English translation:
# In the land of the blind, the one-eyed are kings.

It means that, among incompetents, even a bungler cuts a fine figure.
Ligurian:
# Chi s’impetta e s’inscorrussa no se mette ninte in bocca.

O senso o dovieiva ëse che inta vitta beseugna savei attrovâ di compromissi.

English translation:
# Chi s’impermalisce e si corruccia non si mette niente in bocca.

The meaning should be that in life one must know how to find compromises.
Ligurian:
# A consolaçion di despeæ a l’é o letto e o vin.

Consolaçion de atri tempi perché a-a giornâ d’ancheu ghe n’é pe coscì.

English translation:
# The bed and wine are the consolation of the poor.

A consolation of other times, because nowadays there are many.
Ligurian:
# O ben o no l’é mai mâ.

Osservaçion in apparensa tautològica, ma a veu dî che voeise ben o no l’é mai un delitto, e a pâ giustificâ relaçioin pe atri aspeti inregolari.

English translation:
# Il bene non è mai male.

An apparently tautological observation, but it means that loving one another is never a crime, and it seems to justify relationships that are otherwise irregular.
Ligurian:
# O ben o vinçe o mâ e o mâ o rompe i scheuggi.

Perché «mâ» into senso de _«male»_ e «mâ» comme _«mare»_, in zeneise se dixan e se scrivan pægio.

English translation:
# Good defeats evil and the sea breaks the rocks.

“Male” and “mare” in Genoese are pronounced and written the same way.
Ligurian:
# O mâ o ven in carròssa e o se ne va co-a scròssoa.

Degna de nòtta a quæxi rimma, che inta traduçion italiaña a va persa.

English translation:
# Il male vien in carrozza e se ne va con la stampella.

Note the near rhyme, which is lost in the Italian translation.
Ligurian:
# Galliña chi canta a l’à fæto l’euvo.

Proverbio ch’o l’à di parallelli con atri in italian e in latin _«excusatio non petita, accusatio manifesta»_, e o veu dî che chi se defende da unn’accusa sensa che nisciun l’agge accaxonou de ninte o gh’à sens’atro o cû de paggia.

English translation:
# The hen that cackles has laid the egg.

A proverb that finds parallels with others in Italian and in Latin _“excusatio non petita, accusatio manifesta”_, and means that whoever defends themselves from an accusation without anyone having accused them of anything surely has something to hide.
Ligurian:
# I amixi e o vin veuan ëse vegi.

Pe no anâ incontra à poscibili tradimenti.

English translation:
# Friends and wine are best when they are old.

To avoid possible betrayals.
Ligurian:
# A-i Santi un cäso into cû à tutti i öxellanti.

Pe-i Santi, o primmo de novembre, a saxon da caccia a l’é finia.

English translation:
# A-i Santi a kick in the behind to all hunters.

By the feast of All Saints, the first of November, the hunting season is over.
Ligurian:
# Con l’aggiutto di vexin a gattiña a fa i gattin.

Analogo zeneise do proverbio «l’union a fa a fòrsa».

English translation:
# Con l’aiuto dei vicini la gattina fa i gattini.

Genoese equivalent of the proverb “l’unione fa la forza.”
Ligurian:
# A-i Mòrti bacilli e stocchefisce no gh’é cà chi no î condisce.

Za da-i tempi antighi bacilli boggii e stocchefisce ean segno de penitensa, dapeu se mangiavan pe leccardonaia, in ancheu son ciufito ræi.

English translation:
# On All Souls’ Day, boiled dried fava beans and stockfish — there’s no household that doesn’t prepare them.

Since ancient times dried fava beans and stockfish were a sign of penance, then they were eaten for pleasure, and today they are rather rare.
Ligurian:
# I cöi rescädæ fan doî a pansa.

Ammonimento à no repiggiâ unna relaçion, stæta za abbandonâ.

English translation:
# Reheated cabbage gives you a stomachache.

A warning against rekindling a relationship that has already been abandoned.
Ligurian:
# I cröi no fan cardæñe.

E ascendense da famiggia contan, e comme.

English translation:
# I corvi non fanno cardellini.

Family lineage matters, and how.
Ligurian:
# I dinæ son riondi e s’arrigoan.

I dinæ n’an de varsciua da pe lô, ma pe quello che se ghe peu fâ, donca beseugna savei conosce o momento de spende.

English translation:
# Money is round and it rolls.

Money has no value in itself, but only for the use one makes of it, so one must know how to recognize the right moment to spend it.
Ligurian:
# In bocca serrâ n’intra de mosche, ma chi no se fa avanti nisciun no ô conosce.

N’avvantâse guæi va ben, ma beseugna anche fâse conosce a seu varsciua, quande l’é o momento.

English translation:
# In a closed mouth no flies enter, but if you don’t step forward no one will know you.

Not boasting too much is fine, but you also have to make your worth recognized when the time comes.
Ligurian:
# E strasse van sempre à l’äia.

I meschinetti a ghe va delongo mâ.

English translation:
# Gli stracci vanno sempre all’aria.

The poor always come off worst.
Ligurian:
# Tutte e strasse van à Votri.

À Votri gh’ea di antighi defiçi.

English translation:
# Tutti gli stracci vanno a Voltri.

In Voltri there were ancient paper mills.
Ligurian:
# Chi avvanta e seu meie l’é segno che son marse.

Tutto o conträio de quello che se pensa a-a giornâ d’ancheu, che à son de dî che unna cösa a l’é bizara, tutti se ô creddan.

English translation:
# Chi vanta le sue mele è segno che sono marce.

The complete opposite of what is thought today, when by dint of saying that something is excellent, everyone believes it.
Ligurian:
# O mego o va e o ven, e chi à o mâ o se ô ten.

Inti ambienti popolari no gh’ea, e no gh’é, guæi confiansa inti meghi.

English translation:
# The doctor comes and goes, and whoever has the illness keeps it.

In popular circles there was not, and there is not, too much trust in doctors.
Ligurian:
# Da-o tròppo tiâ a còrda a se streppa.

Dito conosciuo in italian ascì.

English translation:
# Dal troppo tirare la corda si strappa.

A saying also known in Italian.
Ligurian:
# Co-i matti ghe veu o brugo.

Dito di tempi che i matti inti manicòmmi vegnivan piccæ; ma o se refeisce à quande un o se mette à fâ de scenate e l’unica mainea de mettilo in raxon son e mainee fòrte.

English translation:
# Con i matti ci vuole la verga.

A saying from the times when the insane in asylums were beaten; but it refers to when someone starts to fly into a rage and the only way to make them see reason is through forceful means.
Ligurian:
# Chi à moggê bella, tutti ghe veuan ben.

Son e sòlite inscinuaçioin, condie da un pittin de giöxia, in sce quelli che se treuvan ben da maiæ.

English translation:
# Chi ha moglie bella, tutti gli vogliono bene.

These are the usual insinuations, seasoned with a bit of envy, about those who are happy in their marriage.
Ligurian:
# Chi à a bocca amaa, o no peu spuâ doçe.

E rouxie che un o se tëgne drento, no se peuan tegnî ascose pe guæi.

English translation:
# Chi ha la bocca amara, non può sputare dolce.

The rancor one keeps inside cannot stay hidden for long.
Ligurian:
# A dònna che inte l’anâ a mescia l’anca, s’a no ô l’é pöco gh’ammanca.

I atteggiamenti de dònne, into mondo de unna vòtta (ma anche oua), ean occaxon de inscinuaçioin.

English translation:
# La donna che nel camminare muove l’anca, se non lo è poco ci manca.

Women’s mannerisms, in the past (but also nowadays), were an occasion for insinuations.
Ligurian:
# A freve quartaña i vegi a-i ammassa e i zoveni a î saña.

E preuve importante da vitta determinan unna seleçion tra fòrti e deboli.

English translation:
# The quartan fever kills the old and heals the young.

Life’s major ordeals bring about a selection between the strong and the weak.
Ligurian:
# Se cazzesse o çê, piggiëscimo de quage.

I zeneixi no se fan mette poia da chi annonçia de catastrofe.

English translation:
# If the sky were to fall, we’d catch quails.

Genoese people are not frightened by those who foretell catastrophes.
Ligurian:
# Chi semeña agogge no vagghe descäso.

Chi spanteiga zinzannia abrettio o n’arresta vittima.

English translation:
# Chi semina aghi non vada scalzo.

He who sows discord indiscriminately falls victim to it himself.
Ligurian:
# Chi spua contra o vento, o se spua adòsso.

Convio à no sbraggiâ abrettio contra quarchedun, perché se femmo danno da pe niatri.

English translation:
# Chi sputa contro vento si sputa addosso.

An invitation not to rail against someone at random, lest one bring harm upon oneself.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù unna graña de peivie che unna succa.

A vâ de ciù unna persoña picciña, ma asperta e intelligente, che uña gròssa ma nescia.

English translation:
# A grain of pepper is worth more than a pumpkin.

A small but skillful and intelligent person is worth more than a big but foolish one.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù unn’onsa de prattica che unna lia de sciensa.

Proverbio ch’o veu fâ capî comme de belle vòtte e abilitæ prattiche peuan ëse ciù importante de quelle teòriche.

English translation:
# An ounce of practice is worth more than a pound of science.

A proverb that highlights how practical skills can sometimes be more important than theoretical ones.
Ligurian:
# L’òmmo e o pòrco o se peisa quand’o l’é mòrto.

Ghe ô divan za, con atre poule, i greghi antighi: a-a fin de l’Edipo Re, Sòfocle o dixe che solo chi o l’à za scompassou o derê traguardo-zinâ da vitta o se peu dî à bon dirito feliçe, perché fin à l’urtimo ascì o ciù ricco e affortunou, o ciù onesto e benvosciuo, peu intravegnîghe quarcösa ch’a l’imbösa a seu scituaçion e da-o ciù feliçe a ô cangia into ciù infeliçe.

English translation:
# Man and pig are weighed when they’re dead.

The ancient Greeks were already saying it, in other words: at the end of Oedipus Rex, Sophocles says that only one who has already crossed the final finish line-horizon of life can rightly be called happy, because up until the very last moment, even the richest and most fortunate, the most honest and well-loved person, may have something happen that overturns his situation and transforms him from the happiest into the unhappiest of men.
Ligurian:
# Frevâ curto, pezo che un turco.

Dito meteorològico ch’o ne repòrta à l’antiga poia de scorraie di corsæ in Rivea.

English translation:
# Febbraio corto, peggio di un turco.

A weather saying that takes us back to the ancient fear of corsair raids along the Riviera.
Ligurian:
# L’öxello bon o canta de rassa.

Pe ëse in gamba no l’é dito che serve tanti studdi; ò megio, pe commun ghe veu o studio, ma ascì a predispoxiçion.

English translation:
# The good bird sings by breed.

To be talented, it isn’t necessarily a matter of much study; or rather, studies are usually needed, but so is a natural inclination.
Ligurian:
# L’òmmo ch’o veu vive in paxe o lascia commandâ a moggê e lê o taxe.

Proverbio ch’o l’inversa de mainea burlesca l’idea de «patriarcato».

English translation:
# L’uomo che vuol vivere in pace lascia comandare la moglie e lui tace.

A proverb that humorously turns the idea of “patriarchy” on its head.
Ligurian:
# À Sant’Andria o freido o scciappa a pria.

Pe-o sòlito à Sant’Andria comensa à fâ freido pe in davei, ma sto proverbio meteorològico o no corresponde sempre a-a veitæ.

English translation:
# On Saint Andrew’s Day the cold splits the stone.

Usually on Saint Andrew’s Day it begins to get really cold, but this weather proverb does not always hold true.
Ligurian:
# Fin à Dënâ freido no fa, braghe de teia; da Dënâ in zu freido no ne fa ciù, braghe de teia.

Ghe ô divan pe consolâ i ciù pövei, che no se poeivan permette di vestî pesoin.

English translation:
# Fino a Natale freddo non ne fa, pantaloni di tela; da Natale in giù freddo non ne fa più, braghe di tela.

It was said to console the poorest, who could not afford heavy clothing.
Ligurian:
# Se ceuve à Santa Bibiaña, ceuve quaranta giorni e unna settemaña.

Un de quelli proverbi meteorològichi che, sensa voeili piggiâ a-a lettia, de spesso ghe indoviñan.

English translation:
# Se piove a Santa Bibbiana, piove quaranta giorni e una settimana.

One of those weather proverbs that, without taking them literally, often hit the mark.
Ligurian:
# Chi lava a testa à l’ase o perde o tempo, a lescia e o savon.

Mensunou anche inte l’incipit de un sunetto do Cavalli, «Lavà ra testa à l’aze, scigorà / quando ri buoe n’han vorentè de beive.…», o convia à no perde do tempo con de intrapreise imposcibile.

English translation:
# Chi lava la testa all’asino perde il tempo, la lisciva e il sapone.

Also cited in the opening of a sonnet by Cavalli, “Lavare la testa all’asino, fischiare / quando i buoi non hanno voglia di bere…”, it warns against wasting time on impossible undertakings.
Ligurian:
# Un mei marso o ne guasta çento.

Proverbio sumeggeive à di atri co-o mæximo scignificato in italian.

English translation:
# Una mela marcia ne guasta cento.

A proverb similar to others with the same meaning in Italian.
Ligurian:
# Vâ ciù unn’onsa de bon senso che tutto o studio do mondo.

Proverbio ch’o no dovieiva esentâ i zoeni da-o proveise de unna boña preparaçion scolastica.

English translation:
# An ounce of common sense is worth more than all the learning in the world.

A proverb that should not, however, excuse young people from acquiring a sound education.
Ligurian:
# Nisciuña mäveggia a dua ciù de trei giorni.

Verscion zeneise do _«nihil sub sole novi»_ latino.

English translation:
# No wonder lasts more than three days.

Genoese version of the Latin _“nihil sub sole novi.”_
Ligurian:
# O l’é un brutto uso quande a rocca a çerca o fuso.

Se pensava che no stesse ben che foïse unna dònna a çercâse un compagno, ò à mostrâghe interesse, perché a se fava vedde tròppo interessâ a-o sesso, ò a-i dinæ.

English translation:
# It’s a bad custom when the distaff seeks the spindle.

It was considered improper for a woman to seek out a companion, or to show interest in him, as she would have shown herself too interested in sex or in money.
Ligurian:
# Pe-a Madònna da Candiæa da l’inverno semmo feua, ma à ceuve comme à nevâ quaranta giorni an da passâ.

Comme dî che, mæximo se semmo, in teoria, feua da l’inverno, beseugna ancon sciorbîselo pe ben ben.

English translation:
# By Candlemas Day we are out of winter, but forty days must still pass of rain and snow.

In short, even though we are, in theory, out of winter, we still have to put up with it for quite a while longer.
Ligurian:
# O cado e o freido i ratti no se ô mangian.

O se dixe à quelli che se allamentan delongo, quande d’inverno perché no vëgne abasta freido e quande l’é stæ perché no vëgne abasta cado.

English translation:
# Heat and cold don’t get eaten by mice.

Said to those who are always complaining, in winter because it isn’t cold enough and in summer because it isn’t hot enough.
Ligurian:
# No m’addenta can ch’o no me meghe do sò pei.

Convio à no fâse mai mette i pê in sciâ testa.

English translation:
# No dog bites me that I don’t medicate with its own hair.

An invitation to never let anyone walk all over you.
Ligurian:
# Pe chi no veu vegnî vegio, in Sarzan fan da còrda.

Mainea de mandâ quarchedun à fâse appiccâ, ò anche o se peu dî à chi vive inte unna mainea tròppo spericolâ.

English translation:
# For those who don’t want to grow old, they make rope in Sarzano.

A way to send someone off to be hanged, or it can be said to those who live too reckless a life.
Ligurian:
# E giastemme son comme e feugge, che chi ê caccia se ê arrecheugge.

Giastemmâ no serve à ninte, soo che à fâ cresce a raggia, e guastâse a salute.

English translation:
# Le bestemmie sono come le foglie, chi le butta se le raccoglie.

Cursing serves no purpose, only to make anger grow and ruin one’s health.
Ligurian:
# Pe cammin s’acconsa söme.

L’importante l’é partî e mesciâse, dapeu ghe saià tempo de trovâ recatto a-e difficortæ che se porrià presentâ.

English translation:
# Along the way the loads (the packs on the mule’s back) get adjusted.

The important thing is to set off and get moving; there will then be time to find a remedy for the difficulties that may arise.
Ligurian:
# À cavallo giastemmou ghe luxe o pei.

Ciù ti mogogni apreuvo à quarche refioso, ciù te pâ che ghe vagghe tutto ben.

English translation:
# A cavallo bestemmiato brilla il pelo.

The more you curse some unpleasant person, the more it seems that everything is going well for them.
Ligurian:
# E miage vege fan a pansa.

De soventi, con vegnî vegi se vëgne grasci.

English translation:
# Old walls grow a belly.

Often, with age, one puts on weight.
Ligurian:
# E miage, quande fan a pansa, deruan.

Ammonimento pe chi impersonisce tròppo e magara o se ne recilla.

English translation:
# Walls, when they bulge, collapse.

A warning to those who put on too much weight and perhaps rejoice in it.
Ligurian:
# No gh’é sabbo sensa sô, no gh’è figgia sensa amô, no gh’é cheu sensa dô.

Proverbio ciufito convençionale.

English translation:
# There’s no Saturday without sun, no girl without love, no heart without sorrow.

A rather conventional proverb.
Ligurian:
# E neuve gramme son sempre vee.

Verscion zeneise da «leze de Murphy».

English translation:
# Bad news is always true.

Genoese version of “Murphy’s law.”
Ligurian:
# Frevâ, a primmaveia a sata in mâ.

Chì gh’é un zeugo de poule tra «primmaveia» (a saxon) e a «primma veia», a primma imbarcaçion à veia ch’a s’incalla à anâ pe mâ a-a fin de l’inverno. No se peu denegâ che inte sto proverbio se respia un senso de libeaçion da-o grixô e da-o freido da brutta saxon; quella primma veia, ch’a desfia i bacaletti co-o presentimento da stæ, pâ fiña de veddila.

English translation:
# In February spring leaps into the sea.

Here there is a play on words between “primavera” (spring) and “prima vela” (first sail), the first sailing vessel that dares to venture out to sea at the end of winter. It cannot be denied that this proverb breathes a sense of liberation from the grayness and cold of the bad season; that first sail, defying the waves with a presentiment of summer, you can almost see it.
Ligurian:
# E pegoe contæ, o lô o se ê mangia.

O veu dî che inta vitta no beseugna fâ guæi progetti, perché e ciù tante vòtte e previxoin vëgnan mandæ à gambe à l’äia da quarche improvvisto.

English translation:
# Counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

It means that in life one should not make too many plans, since most of the time predictions are turned upside down by some unforeseen event.
Ligurian:
# Comme i bagoin son e pellisse stòrte, ciù ti ne ammassi ciù ne sciòrte.

L’imposcibilitæ de levâ da mezo i mascarsoin e i profittatoî unna vòtta pe delongo da-a nòstra vitta.

English translation:
# Like cockroaches are the crooked hides, the more you kill the more come out.

The impossibility of eliminating scoundrels and profiteers once and for all from our lives.
Ligurian:
# Con l’arte e con l’inganno se vive mezo l’anno, con l’inganno e con l’arte se vive l’atra parte.

Proverbio de coscì dite «legere».

English translation:
# Con l’arte e con l’inganno si vive mezzo anno, con l’inganno e con l’arte si vive l’altra parte.

Proverb of the so-called _“legere”_.