needstranslation

"Nun essiri duci sinno ti mancianu, nun essiri amaru sinno ti futanu"

Is this the correct spelling for the Sicilian proverb that means "don't be too sweet lest you be eaten, don't be too sour lest you be shunned"?

I'm looking for the Sicilian-Italian spelling of the proverb.

Please help me! Thank you!

chris120

I'm no Sicilian expert but it seems to me that "lest you be shunned" is an extremely polite way of translating "sinno ti futanu"

needstranslation

Thanks for your response. How would you translate it?

giuliana

Sicilian: Non essiri duci sinno tu mancianu, non essiri amaru sinno ti futanu
Literal English Translation: Do not be sweet lest you be eaten, do not be too sour, lest you be shunned
Idiom: All things in moderation

Shunned seems the wrong word to me, I would use something a little stronger!

needstranslation

For example.... ? What word would you use?

Lorna at Vicenza

Screwed???

giuliana

That is the word I would use

Mr Posh

Nun essiri duci sinno ti mancianu, nun essiri amaru sinno ti futanu

Do not be sweet lest you be eaten, do not be sour, lest you be shunned

It means.......Strike the proper balance between assertiveness and accommodation.

I have a couple of mates from down there...Don G and Don L they told me and I am always right OK?

if you disagree...we make you an offer you can not refuse!!!

needstranslation

Thanks! You've all been a great help.