Giovanni Boccaccio: Frasi in inglese

“Dying more like animals than human beings.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Non come uomini, ma quasi come bestie, morieno.
First Day, Introduction
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“You must read, you must persevere, you must sit up nights, you must inquire, and exert the utmost power of your mind. If one way does not lead to the desired meaning, take another; if obstacles arise, then still another; until, if your strength holds out, you will find that clear which at first looked dark.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio

“The power of the pen is far greater than those people suppose who have not proved it by experience.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Le forze della penna sono troppo maggiori che coloro non estimano che quelle con conoscimento provato non hanno.
Eighth Day, Seventh Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“Charming ladies, the beauty of a flock of white doves is better enhanced by a black crow than by a pure white swan.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Leggiadre donne, infra molte bianche colombe aggiugne più di bellezza uno nero corvo, che non farebbe un candido cigno.
Ninth Day, Tenth Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“To have compassion for those who suffer is a human quality which everyone should possess, especially those who have required comfort themselves in the past and have managed to find it in others.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Origine: The Decameron

“Do as we say, not as we do.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Fate quello che noi diciamo e non quello che noi facciamo.
Third Day, Seventh Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“Who means ill, dreams ill.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Chi mal ti vuol, mal ti sogna.
Ninth Day, Seventh Story (tr. J. M. Rigg)
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“While farmers generally allow one rooster for ten hens, ten men are scarcely sufficient to service one woman.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio

“I propose to tell you a very brief tale about a love which…ran a smooth course to its happy conclusion.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Uno amore...a lieto fin pervenuto, in una novelletta assai piccola intendo di raccontarvi.
Fifth Day, Fourth Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“A sin that's hidden is half forgiven.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Peccato celato e mezzo perdonato.
First Day, Introduction
J. M. Rigg's translation http://decameron.obdurodon.org/engdecameronviewreading.html: Sin that is hidden is half forgiven.
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“People are more inclined to believe in bad intentions than in good ones.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

La gente è più acconcia a credere il male che il bene.
Third Day, Sixth Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“The nature of wit is such that its bite must be like that of a sheep rather than a dog, for if it were to bite the listener like a dog, it would no longer be wit but abuse.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Essere la natura de' motti cotale, che essi come la pecora morde deono cosi mordere l'uditore, e non come 'l cane: percio che, se come cane mordesse il motto, non sarebbe motto, ma villania.
Sixth Day, Third Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“And if his own joy knew no bounds, the girl was no less delighted on seeing him.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Se egli fu lieto assai, la letizia della giovane non fu minore.
Fifth Day, Third Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“They banish us to the kitchen, there to tell stories to the cat.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Ci cacciano in cucina a dir delle favole colla gatta.
Fifth Day, Tenth Story (tr. J. M. Rigg)
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“A kissed mouth doesn't lose its freshness, for like the moon it always renews itself.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Bocca baciata non perde ventura, anzi rinnuova come fa la luna.
Second Day, Seventh Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“It frequently happens that people grow tired of always eating the same food, and desire a change of diet.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Sempre non può l' uomo un cibo, ma talvolta desidera di variare.
Seventh Day, Sixth Story
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“The deceived has the better of the deceiver.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Lo ingannatore rimane a pié dello ingannato.
Second Day, Ninth Story (tr. J. M. Rigg)
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“An oak is not felled by a single blow of the axe.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Per lo primo colpo non cade la quercia.
Seventh Day, Ninth Story (tr. J. M. Rigg)
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“While superfluity engenders disgust, appetite is but whetted when fruit is forbidden.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Come la copia delle cose genera fastidio, cosl l'esser le desiderate negate moltiplica l'appetito.
Fourth Day, Third Story (tr. J. M. Rigg)
The Decameron (c. 1350)

“In the affairs of this world, poverty alone is without envy.”

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Giovanni Boccaccio libro Decameron

Sola la miseria è senza invidia nelle cose presenti.
Fourth Day, Introduction
The Decameron (c. 1350)