Month: April 2025

Lower yourself like the reed so the flood can pass

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“Calati juncu ca passa la china” is a traditional Sicilian proverb that means: “Lower yourself like the reed so the flood can pass.” The saying draws on the image of a reed that bends with strong currents rather than resisting them and breaking under pressure. At its core, the proverb encourages resilience through flexibility—suggesting that … Read more

The value of a coin

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A reader recently responded to one of my posts with a reflection that touched upon a very interesting subject. Thus, here we are — thank you, my pen-friend!(Such a charmingly old expression — yet, fitting, for I am, after all, an old youngster at heart.) Prompted by this exchange, I found myself once again contemplating … Read more

Bankruptcy: “broken bench”!

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Long ago, in medieval Italy, the great trading cities of Venice and Florence bustled with life. In the heart of their marketplaces, bankers — or money changers — set up their businesses not in grand buildings, but on simple benches. These benches, called banchi (pronounced “banki”), gave rise to the word “banker” as we know … Read more

Ever wonder where the words “minute” and “second” come from?

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In everyday language, we frequently use words without giving much thought to their origins. In many cases, understanding a word’s etymology may seem unimportant. However, there are instances where uncovering the roots of a word can offer deeper insight and a richer appreciation of its meaning. Consider the familiar time units “minute” and “second.” These … Read more

Price becomes an issue when quality is lacking

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When Does Price Matter?Exploring the Role of Value in B2B and B2C Relationships Yesterday, I participated in a key business meeting centered around opportunities for entering new markets. Amidst the many insightful discussions, one comment during a conversation on service pricing resonated strongly with me:“Price becomes an issue when quality is lacking.” This simple yet … Read more

That which I do not know cannot harm me

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“Where ignorance is bliss,’tis folly to be wise.” Thomas Gray’s well-known 1742 line from “Ode on a distant prospect of Eton College” can be rephrased in modern terms as“That which I do not know cannot harm me.” This idea has appeared in different variations throughout history, serving as a justification for turning a blind eye … Read more

Take a break. Laugh a little. Relax

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“If a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.”(Herodotus) What could possibly go wrong when you strip joy, laughter, and leisure from the human condition? Picture, if you will, the modern martyr to seriousness: hunched over … Read more

Who spoke, enjoyed me

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“Cu parró, m’arricrió” – literally, “Who spoke, enjoyed me” – is a sharp Sicilian phrase used to mock someone who has just blurted out something spectacularly off-topic, absurd, or dim-witted. It is the regional equivalent of giving someone a round of applause for making a complete fool of themselves. These four short Sicilian words are … Read more

The old world is dying …

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“The old world is dying.The new one struggles to be born.And in this in-between, monsters arise.” (Antonio Gramsci) This striking quote captures the chaos of transitional eras—times when the foundations of the past have crumbled, yet the future remains uncertain and undefined. In this liminal space, where old certainties no longer hold and new structures … Read more

Only men know what real pain is

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According to Socrates, only a woman who has given birth without anaesthetic can understand the suffering of a man with a cold. Indeed, the common cold—a disease so ferocious it causes mild congestion and the occasional sneeze—has laid waste to countless men’s plans to take out the trash or go to work. Childbirth, by contrast, … Read more

A marvel of modern mobility: the village idiot has gone international

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“The cuckold is only notorious in his own village, but the fool is recognised everywhere he goes.”(Ancient Sicilian proverb) The cuckold’s misfortune, though humiliating, is at least contained—tucked neatly within the boundaries of his modest village, known only to neighbours, the local butcher, and perhaps the postman who delivers the alimony letters.His shame is provincial, … Read more

He who possesses, acts with thought

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“Cu avi, considera”(Sicilian proverb) It can be translated as“Those who have, reflect with care,”or“He who possesses, acts with thought.” This Sicilian proverb conveys the idea that individuals who possess something of value—be it wealth, wisdom, experience, or responsibility—tend to make decisions with greater caution and awareness. To “consider” is to weigh the consequences, to act … Read more

Books in a home are the ultimate symbol of richness

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“Books in a home are the ultimate symbol of richness.” Unlike material possessions that may lose value over time, books symbolize intellectual richness, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for knowledge. They reflect a person’s desire to grow, to understand the world, and to connect with the thoughts and experiences of others across time and cultures. … Read more

Even a fool learns something once it hits him

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“Even a fool learns something once it hits him.”(Homer, the Odyssey) The fool’s preferred learning method: blunt force.No need for wisdom, reflection, or reasoned thought—just wait until life slaps him hard enough, and suddenly, enlightenment dawns.Not through understanding, of course, but through sheer impact. And let us not get carried away—he learns something, not necessarily … Read more

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake

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“Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”(Napoleon Buonaparte) The golden rule of effortless victory!Why waste energy battling your opponent when he is so generously sabotaging himself? Sit back, sip your wine, and let him dig his own grave—probably while congratulating himself on the cleverness of his shovel technique. After all, what could … Read more

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the Country

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“True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the Country.”(Kurt Vonnegut, circa 1990) I took the liberty of updating Vonnegut’s quote with a few more contemporary variations: