Dog and cat make peace to eat the lard — meaning that even the bitterest enemies will set aside their hostility when a shared interest or common gain is involved. It is a cynical observation about the transactional nature of alliances and reconciliations.
The proverb reflects the pragmatic street philosophy of Naples, where survival often required temporary alliances among people who had no love for each other. The 'Camorra' in particular was famous for its shifting truces and alliances — rival clans who had been at violent war would occasionally declare peace to pursue a profitable enterprise together, only to resume hostilities when the deal was done. At the household level, in the overcrowded 'bassi' where families shared walls and water sources, ancient feuds between neighbors were regularly suspended during communal crises: a fire, a flood, or the arrival of disease. The lard — 'lardo' — is a perfect image from the Neapolitan kitchen: a fat, rich, desirable food that even sworn enemies could not resist. The proverb offers no moral judgment on this behavior; it simply observes it as a fact of human nature, with the characteristically Neapolitan mixture of humor and realism.
The image of natural enemies making temporary peace for shared gain is ancient and appears across many proverb traditions; the Neapolitan version acquired its characteristic cynical humor through centuries of urban street life and political observation.
Two rival politicians caught cooperating on a construction contract
Si odiavano sei mesi fa. Adesso vanno a braccetto. Cane e gatto fanno pace pe' mangià 'o lardo.
They hated each other six months ago. Now they're arm in arm. Dog and cat make peace to eat the lard.
Two feuding siblings who unite when their mother's inheritance is at stake
Non si parlavano da anni. Poi è morta la mamma e improvvisamente si vogliono bene. Cane e gatto fanno pace pe' mangià 'o lardo.
They hadn't spoken in years. Then their mother died and suddenly they love each other. Dog and cat make peace to eat the lard.
A cynical Neapolitan observing a business partnership
Quella società durerà finché ci sono soldi. Poi vedremo. Cane e gatto fanno pace pe' mangià 'o lardo.
That company will last as long as there's money. Then we'll see. Dog and cat make peace to eat the lard.
A grandmother explaining a family reunion to her grandchildren
Si riuniscono tutti perché c'è l'eredità di nonno. Cane e gatto fanno pace pe' mangià 'o lardo.
They all gather because of grandfather's inheritance. Dog and cat make peace to eat the lard.