Iku macja, lozin minjtë.
“When the cat is away, the mice will play.”
People break rules or misbehave once those in authority are no longer watching.
— Traditional Albania Wisdom, Albania
Source: Traditional Albania proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Albania
No one can serve two masters.
A person cannot devote full loyalty to two conflicting causes or masters at once.
Every man builds his own fate.
A person's destiny is shaped chiefly by their own actions and choices.
A good beginning is half the work.
Starting a task well makes the rest of it much easier to finish.
Mountain never meets mountain, but man meets man.
Two mountains can never come together, but people's paths cross again and again — so treat everyone with care.
Measure three times, cut once.
Careful preparation prevents costly mistakes.
Better to lose the eye than the honor.
Personal dignity and reputation are worth more than physical comfort or safety.