L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano R ecently, I stum- b l e d u p o n a n interesting arti- cle online about the wisdom of Italian proverbs. Needless to say, the ones from Naples stood out as particularly col- orful and direct, just like the city itself and just like its peo- ple. Their blend of wisdom, irony, and practicality is as charming as it is unique and d e f i n i t e l y w o r t h a c l o s e r look! To begin with, let's clarify s o m e t h i n g : p r o v e r b s i n Naples are an integral part of d a i l y l i f e . T h e y r e f l e c t t h e city's worldview, shaped by c e n t u r i e s o f c u l t u r a l exchanges, hardships, and celebrations. In Naples, oral tradition has always been val- u e d , a n d p r o v e r b s a r e a n example of it: beside their lit- e r a l m e a n i n g , t h e y a c t a s tools for storytelling, vehicles for humor, and even mecha- nisms for social commentary. A simple proverb can settle an argument, make a pro- found statement, or lighten the mood in a challenging moment. They are, to put it simply, as much about con- n e c t i o n a s t h e y a r e a b o u t communication. The origins of Neapoli- tan proverbs go back to the city's long history as a cross- roads of civilizations, because in Naples, influences from the Greeks, Romans, Spanish, and French left their mark not only on architecture and cuisine but also on language. Some proverbs, for instance, have roots in ancient Rome, like A meglio parola è chella ca nun se dice, which trans- lates to "The best word is the one left unsaid." This caution- ary saying, particularly loved b y N e a p o l i t a n e l d e r s , h a s similarities with the Roman philosopher Seneca's teach- i n g s o n p r u d e n c e a n d restraint, and shows the deep p h i l o s o p h i c a l l i n e a g e o f Neapolitan wisdom. But, more than their illus- trious connections with the greatest thinkers of the past, Neapolitan proverbs strike for the way they are part of the very fabric of human interactions. They are often used to express emotions, give advice, or offer commen- tary on life's unpredictability, just like in the case of Ntiem- po 'e tempesta, ogne pertuso è puorte', meaning "In times of storm, every hole is a har- bor." What a universal truth! And, even more importantly, how these words resonate with the all-Neapolitan ten- d e n c y t o f i n d s o l a c e a n d solutions even in the direst situations! Another popular saying, Chi pecora se fa, 'o lupo s'o magna, or "If you act like a sheep, the wolf will eat you," is a reminder to avoid sub- missiveness and stand one's ground, something that well mirrors the resilience and character of Neapolitans. O f c o u r s e , w e c o u l d n ' t speak about proverbs with- o u t m e n t i o n i n g t h e i r h u m o r o u s u n d e r t o n e , even when addressing seri- ous topics: humor, after all, is a cornerstone of Neapoli- tan life. Sayings like A carne 'a sotto e 'e maccarune 'a coppa (The meat underneath and the macaroni on top) humorously lament situa- tions where things are not as they should be, a playful yet p o i n t e d c r i t i q u e o f l i f e ' s occasional absurdities. Simi- l a r l y , Q u a n n o u n o s ' à d a mbriacare è meglio che se mbriacasse de vino buono, which translates to "If you're going to get drunk, it's better to do it with good wine," mir- rors quite well the Neapoli- tan philosophy of embracing life's pleasures fully, even if things may not be going the way we expect. Very importantly, from a c u l t u r a l p o i n t o f v i e w p r o v e r b s a l s o s e r v e a s a reflection of Naples' dis- t i n c t i d e n t i t y w i t h i n Italy, with expressions like V i d e N a p u l e e p o ' m u o r e (See Naples and then die) highlighting the city's pride in its beauty and cultural sig- nificance. At the same time, many others tap into uni- v e r s a l t r u t h s , b r i d g i n g regional identity with shared h u m a n e x p e r i e n c e s ; f o r e x a m p l e , O ' m u n n o è munno: chi saglie e chi va a f u n n o ( T h e w o r l d i s t h e world: some rise, others fall) offers a universal commen- tary on life's cyclical nature, while also reminding us of the impermanence of success and failure. Relationships, whether familial, romantic, or platon- ic, are another central theme i n N e a p o l i t a n p r o v e r b s . Some present culturally dis- tinctive truth, like Chi te vo' bene cchiù de mamma, te 'nganna (Whoever loves you m o r e t h a n y o u r m o t h e r deceives you), while others stress with comedic flair the at times cold reality of cer- t a i n r e l a t i o n s h i p s , a s i n L'amico è comme 'o 'mbrel- l o : q u a n n o c h i o v e n u n o truove maje, "A friend is like an umbrella: you never find it when it rains." In the con- text of romantic liaisons, p r o v e r b s l i k e A m m o r e f a passà 'o tiempo e 'o tiempo f a p a s s à l ' a m m o r e ( L o v e makes time pass, and time makes love pass) reflect a realistic and experiential understanding of love's fleet- ing nature. Meanwhile,'A f e m m e n a b o n a v a l e ' n a curona (A good woman is worth a crown) celebrates the virtues of a loyal and honorable partner, empha- sizing respect and apprecia- tion. Food, an essential aspect of Neapolitan life, also fea- t u r e s p r o m i n e n t l y i n t h e city's proverbs. Sayings like Frije 'e pisce e guarda 'a jatta (Fry the fish and watch the cat) serve as ironic yet practical advice, reminding people to remain vigilant and not let distractions ruin their efforts. As modern life increasing- ly moves away from oral tra- ditions, there is a growing effort to preserve Neapolitan proverbs as a cultural trea- sure: these expressions offer valuable insights into the col- lective mindset and values of the city, and help us bridge the past with the present, while keeping alive the times and words of our ancestors. L o c a l i n i t i a t i v e s , s u c h a s p u b l i s h i n g c o l l e c t i o n s o f proverbs or incorporating them into educational curric- ula, aim to ensure that this unique heritage continues to thrive in the years to come. Crucial in this context are also contemporary Neapoli- tan music, theater, and film, where traditional proverbs keep finding a place. GIULIA FRANCESCHINI The wit and truth of Neapolitan proverbs Pulcinella Speaks: Wisdom in Neapolitan Proverbs (Photo: Pierangelo Roberto/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE TRADITIONS

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