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San Marino — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

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Real words from the people of San Marino, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

Capital: City of San MarinoPopulation: ~34,000Founded: 301 CE (traditional founding date, by Saint Marinus)Region: EuropeLanguages: itCurrency: Euro (EUR) , used by special arrangement with the EU; mints its own coin designsQuote code: 378Quote_sm

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Proverbs

A forza d' fê us fa la pratica.

“Practice makes perfect.”

A skill is only mastered through repeated doing, not through thinking about it.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

A vle che e zogh séja béll, e bsogna che séja curt.

“Leave a jest when it pleases you best.”

A joke stays enjoyable only if it is kept short and does not overstay its welcome.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

E bsogna ciapê la furtona quand la s'presenta.

“When fortune knocks, be sure to open the door.”

Seize an opportunity the moment it appears, because it may not return.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

La bona mêdar la dis tö rom.

“The good mother does not say "will you?" — she gives.”

True generosity acts on its own, without waiting to be begged or asked twice.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

La carité la prinzepia da se stess.

“Charity begins at home.”

Care for your own household and community first, before reaching outward.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

La furtona la va e la ven.

“The wheel of fortune is forever in motion.”

Luck and circumstance are never fixed — they rise and fall over time.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

La përa quand l' è madura la casca dà su posta.

“When the fruit is ripe, it falls of its own accord.”

Good outcomes cannot be forced; they arrive naturally once the time is right.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

L e méi un ôv inco, che dman una galena.

“Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.”

A small certain gain now is worth more than a bigger uncertain promise later.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

L`e un gran cativ sord quèll chan vô capi.

“None so deaf as those who will not hear.”

The most stubborn kind of ignorance is refusing to listen on purpose.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

Mettar troppa chêrn ae foch.

“He that has many irons in the fire, some of them will cool.”

Taking on too many tasks at once means some of them will inevitably be neglected.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

Nó lassô mèi e zërt par l inzërt.

“Do not leave the certain for the uncertain.”

Never trade a sure thing for a risky gamble on something unproven.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

Vler e lene e cul chêld.

“You can't have the wool and the warm backside too.”

You cannot have every advantage at once; some choices demand a trade-off.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Romagnol dialect proverb (San Marino / Romagna regional oral tradition), public-domain — Wikiquote: Romagnol proverbs

Chi va piano va sano e va lontano.

“He who goes slowly goes safely and goes far.”

Moving carefully and steadily leads to safer, more lasting success than rushing.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi trova un amico trova un tesoro.

“He who finds a friend finds a treasure.”

True friendship is one of life's most valuable possessions.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Il mattino ha l'oro in bocca.

“The morning has gold in its mouth.”

Starting the day early brings the greatest advantage and opportunity.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi dorme non piglia pesci.

“He who sleeps catches no fish.”

Success requires effort and alertness; the idle miss their chance.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare.

“Between saying and doing lies the sea.”

Talking about a plan is far easier than actually carrying it out.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi la fa l'aspetti.

“He who does it to others should expect it done to him.”

Whoever causes harm to others should expect the same in return.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi semina vento raccoglie tempesta.

“He who sows wind reaps the storm.”

Small, reckless acts can bring back far greater trouble than intended.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

L'erba del vicino è sempre più verde.

“The neighbor's grass is always greener.”

Other people's lives always appear better than they truly are.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi tace acconsente.

“Silence gives consent.”

Saying nothing in the face of wrongdoing is often taken as agreement.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

A caval donato non si guarda in bocca.

“Don't look a given horse in the mouth.”

A gift should be accepted gratefully, not judged or picked apart.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi troppo vuole nulla stringe.

“He who wants too much grasps nothing.”

Excessive greed often ends in getting nothing at all.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Ride bene chi ride ultimo.

“He who laughs last, laughs best.”

True victory belongs to whoever prevails in the end, not whoever celebrates first.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Rosso di sera, bel tempo si spera.

“Red sky at night, fair weather is hoped for.”

A red evening sky is taken as a traditional sign of good weather ahead.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi cerca trova.

“He who seeks, finds.”

Genuine effort to look for something eventually leads to finding it.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi fa da sé fa per tre.

“He who acts for himself does the work of three.”

Relying on your own effort is often more effective than waiting on others.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Paese che vai, usanza che trovi.

“Whatever country you go to, follow the customs you find there.”

Adapt respectfully to the customs and habits of wherever you are.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Non è tutto oro quel che luccica.

“Not all that glitters is gold.”

Appearances can be deceiving; not everything valuable-looking truly is.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Il lupo perde il pelo ma non il vizio.

“The wolf loses its fur but not its vice.”

People may change outwardly with age, but their true nature or bad habits remain.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

“Wars end, but neighbours remain.”

Onofri's stated reasoning in 1797 for refusing Napoleon's offer to enlarge San Marino's territory — lasting peace with neighbours matters more than temporary gains from conflict.

Antonio Onofri

Source: Antonio Onofri, Captain Regent of San Marino, on declining Napoleon's 1797 offer of territorial expansion — recorded in San Marino historical accounts (see Wikipedia: 'Antonio Onofri')

Relinquo vos liberos ab utroque homine.

“I leave you free from both men.”

Tradition holds these were Saint Marinus's dying words in 366 AD, releasing the community on Monte Titano from allegiance to any single secular or ecclesiastical ruler — the origin of San Marino's motto 'Libertas.'

Saint Marinus

Source: Attributed dying words of Saint Marinus, from the founding hagiography of San Marino (earliest surviving manuscripts, 10th century); discussed in William Miller, 'The Republic of San Marino,' The American Historical Review, Vol. 6, No. 4 (1901)

Chi ben comincia è a metà dell'opera.

“Well begun is half done.”

A strong, careful start already accomplishes much of the task ahead.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Volere è potere.

“Where there's a will, there's a way.”

Strong determination is often enough to make something possible.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Batti il ferro finché è caldo.

“Strike while the iron is hot.”

Act at the right moment, while conditions are still favorable.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi non risica non rosica.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Avoiding all risk means missing out on any reward.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

A buon intenditor poche parole.

“A word to the wise is enough.”

A perceptive listener needs only a hint to understand the whole matter.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Tale padre tale figlio.

“Like father, like son.”

Children often inherit the character and habits of their parents.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

L'abito non fa il monaco.

“The habit does not make the monk.”

Outward appearance alone does not reveal a person's true character.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Can che abbaia non morde.

“A barking dog doesn't bite.”

Loud threats often come from those least likely to actually act on them.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi si loda si imbroda.

“He who praises himself dirties himself.”

Boasting about your own merits tends to lower others' opinion of you.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

L'occasione fa l'uomo ladro.

“Opportunity makes the thief.”

Easy, unguarded chances can tempt even an otherwise honest person into wrongdoing.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Non c'è due senza tre.

“There is no two without three.”

Events, especially misfortunes, are commonly expected to happen a third time after occurring twice.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi rompe paga.

“He who breaks it, pays for it.”

Whoever causes the damage bears the responsibility for fixing it.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Ad ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.

“To every bird, its own nest is beautiful.”

People naturally cherish their own home above all others, however humble.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

La gatta frettolosa fece i gattini ciechi.

“The hasty cat gave birth to blind kittens.”

Rushing an important task produces flawed, incomplete results.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Meglio soli che mal accompagnati.

“Better alone than in bad company.”

Solitude is preferable to keeping company with people who bring you harm.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Chi la dura la vince.

“He who perseveres, wins.”

Steady persistence eventually overcomes even the most difficult challenge.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Fatta la legge, trovato l'inganno.

“Once the law is made, the loophole is found.”

People will quickly search out a way around any new rule or restriction.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

Presto e bene raro avviene.

“Fast and good rarely happen together.”

Speed and quality are difficult to achieve at the same time.

Traditional San Marino & Romagna Wisdom

Source: Traditional Italian proverb, shared linguistic and cultural heritage with San Marino (Italian is San Marino's official language), public-domain oral tradition

The story of San Marino

By tradition, San Marino was founded on 3 September 301 CE by Marinus, a Christian stonemason from the Dalmatian island of Rab who fled religious persecution and built a small chapel and community on the slopes of Monte Titano. The settlement grew into a self-governing commune, and by the 13th century it had its own elected magistrates, the Captains Regent, a system that survives almost unchanged today. Remarkably, San Marino held onto its independence through the Renaissance, the Napoleonic wars (Napoleon himself recognised its sovereignty in 1797), the unification of Italy in the 19th century, and Mussolini's fascist state in the 20th. It declared neutrality in both World Wars, though it was bombed and briefly occupied by German forces in 1944. From 1945 to 1957 it was governed by the world's first freely elected communist-led coalition. San Marino joined the United Nations in 1992 and today calls itself the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic on Earth , a tiny, mountain-top nation entirely surrounded by Italy.

Timeline — key moments

301
Traditional founding date: Marinus establishes a Christian community on Monte Titano.
885
The Placito Feretrano, the first written document referencing the Sammarinese community.
1243
The first two Captains Regent are elected as joint heads of state.
1463
San Marino gains the castles and towns of Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle from Pope Pius II.
1797
Napoleon personally guarantees San Marino's independence and declines to annex or expand it.
1815
The Congress of Vienna ratifies San Marino's sovereignty.
1944
Despite declared neutrality, San Marino is bombed by the Allies and occupied by German forces during WWII.
1945-1957
San Marino elects the world's first freely-elected communist-led government.
1992
San Marino joins the United Nations.

Top 10 things to know about San Marino

San Marino claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state and constitutional republic in the world.
It is completely landlocked and entirely surrounded by Italy , one of only a few such enclave nations.
The country is co-headed by two Captains Regent, elected every six months, a tradition dating to 1243.
Italian is San Marino's official language.
Its currency is the euro, and it is permitted to mint its own euro coin designs.
From 1945 to 1957 it had the first freely-elected communist-led government in the world.
Monte Titano and San Marino's historic centre are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is one of the smallest countries on Earth by both area (about 61 sq km) and population.
San Marino declared neutrality in both World Wars but was bombed and occupied in 1944.
In 1993, San Marino's Davide Gualtieri scored a goal 8.3 seconds into a World Cup qualifier against England , one of the fastest goals in international football history.

Famous people from San Marino

Saint Marinus

Founder (legendary)

Christian stonemason from Rab whose 4th-century community on Monte Titano gave San Marino its name and founding motto.

Massimo Bonini

Footballer

San Marino's most celebrated athlete; midfielder for Juventus during their 1980s successes.

Valentina Monetta

Singer

Represented San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017.

Alex de Angelis

Motorcycle racer

Competed in MotoGP's 125cc and 250cc classes, one of San Marino's best-known sportspeople.

Say it in San Marino's language

Hello / Good day

Buongiorno

bwon-JOR-no

Hi (informal)

Ciao

chow

Thank you

Grazie

GRAT-see-eh

Did you know?

★San Marino has no large standing army , defence rests with small ceremonial militia corps, including a historic crossbow guard.
★San Marino is regularly cited as having one of the highest rates of car ownership per person in the world.
★The republic's Torta Tre Monti ("Three Mountains Cake"), a layered chocolate wafer cake named for Monte Titano's three peaks, is a beloved national dessert exported across Italy.

San Marino culture

Italian is spoken everywhere, though a local Romagnol dialect known as Sammarinese survives in some communities.
Monte Titano's medieval city, crowned by the three towers Guaita, Cesta and Montale, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Crossbow (balestra) competitions and medieval-costume parades, especially the Palio delle Balestre, celebrate the old militia heritage.
Cuisine is Mediterranean and closely tied to neighbouring Romagna: piadina flatbread, fresh pasta, and cakes like Torta Titano and Torta Tre Monti.

Why read San Marino's books

San Marino's tiny population has produced a modest literary output, but centuries of visitors, chroniclers and historians have written about the world's oldest republic , the shelf below gathers what tells its story best.