కడుపులోని మంట కానరాని మంట

This proverb describes a situation where someone makes plans or celebrates an outcome before it has actually happened or before the necessary conditions are met. It is similar to the English expression 'Counting your chickens before they hatch.' It is used to caution against over-anticipation or premature planning.

Boil not the pap before the child is born. * Tre lo sanno, tutti lo sanno. † Secret de deux, secret de Dieu; secret de trois, secret de tous.

This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.

This expression refers to the intense, often irrational jealousy or envy felt by a young person towards others. It is commonly used to describe the competitive nature or the 'evil eye' (disti) that arises from youth when they see others succeeding or possessing something they desire.

This expression is used to describe a state of absolute comfort, ease, or luxury where a person doesn't have to perform any physical labor or face any hardships. It literally suggests a life so stable and smooth that even the liquid in one's stomach remains undisturbed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.

This expression describes a situation where someone is overwhelmed by multiple troubles at once. It literally refers to a cook dealing with the heat of the stove, the heat of the weather, and the physical discomfort or indigestion caused by eating heavy food at a ritualistic feast. It is used when a person is frustrated by a series of compounding difficulties.

This proverb describes a situation where a person's words or threats have no real impact or authority. Just as a red ant's sting causes temporary irritation but no lasting harm, the words of someone who lacks discipline, consistency, or power are ignored or dismissed by others as insignificant.

This proverb is used to warn someone about the difficulty of keeping secrets. It suggests that once a private thought or secret is voiced to even one person, it quickly spreads and becomes public knowledge.

Three know it, all know it. (Italian.)* The secret of two is God's secret; the secret of three is all the world's, (French.)?

This expression highlights the inherent difficulty in truly understanding another person's hidden thoughts, intentions, or character, just as it is impossible to gauge the exact depth of water simply by looking at its surface. It is used to caution others that appearances can be deceiving and that human motives are often deep and complex.

This expression refers to something that is visible but unattainable, or a promise that is illusory. Just as one can see the image of an offering or money in a mirror but cannot actually touch or spend it, it describes wealth or benefits that exist only on paper or in theory but cannot be used in reality.