Every opportunity left behind is lost. Once you pass up a chance, it is gone; hesitation and deferral are forms of loss. The proverb urges decisive action over waiting for better conditions that may never come.
This proverb captures the Italian folk wisdom about the irreversibility of missed opportunities with particular directness and economy. 'Lasciata' — left, abandoned, let go — implies a conscious choice to walk past something rather than mere ignorance of it: the opportunity was seen, recognized, and then not taken. The consequence, 'persa' — lost — is absolute: there is no going back, no second offer, no restoration of what was passed by. The saying is related to 'chi ha tempo non aspetti tempo' and 'bisogna battere il ferro finché è caldo,' but where those proverbs emphasize the importance of timing, this one emphasizes the finality of inaction. In Italian commercial culture, where markets, fairs, and seasonal opportunities dominated trade, a merchant who did not buy when the goods were available could not go back and buy them when they were gone. The proverb was also applied to personal relationships, inheritances, properties, and career opportunities — any case where a window opens and then closes permanently.
Documented in Italian proverb collections from the 16th century; reflects the mercantile and seasonal-opportunity culture of Italian trade.
A property agent explaining why a hesitant buyer lost a house
Ha detto che ci pensava ancora una settimana. Nel frattempo qualcun altro ha fatto un'offerta. Ogni lasciata è persa — in questo mercato non si aspetta.
She said she needed one more week to think. Meanwhile someone else made an offer. Every opportunity left behind is lost — in this market you do not wait.
A merchant at a trade fair advising a young buyer
Quella partita di tessuto al prezzo che hai visto — domani non ci sarà più. Ogni lasciata è persa. Decidi adesso.
That lot of fabric at the price you saw — tomorrow it will not be there. Every opportunity left behind is lost. Decide now.
A friend regretting not applying for a scholarship
Potevo fare domanda per quella borsa di studio. Ho rimandato e la scadenza è passata. Ogni lasciata è persa — non ci pensare, mi diceva mia nonna.
I could have applied for that scholarship. I delayed and the deadline passed. Every opportunity left behind is lost — do not think about it, my grandmother used to tell me.
A man who did not buy shares when the price was low
Erano a cinque euro l'anno scorso e avevo i soldi. Ho aspettato. Adesso sono a venti. Ogni lasciata è persa.
They were at five euros last year and I had the money. I waited. Now they are at twenty. Every opportunity left behind is lost.