Where there is a will, there is a way. If you truly want something and commit to it, you will find the means to achieve it.
This three-word proverb is one of the most direct and forceful expressions of Italian willpower philosophy. Its grammatical structure equates two infinitives — wanting and being able — creating a logical identity: to want is to be capable. The saying is the Italian equivalent of the English 'Where there's a will, there's a way,' and both reflect a Romantic-era optimism about human agency that gained particular force in the nineteenth century. In Italy the phrase was powerfully associated with the Risorgimento movement: Italian nationalists who dreamed of a unified peninsula used 'volere è potere' as a rallying principle, insisting that the political will of the Italian people would create the conditions for its own fulfillment. The philosopher-patriot Giuseppe Mazzini was particularly associated with this kind of voluntarist rhetoric. After unification the phrase settled into everyday use as a general motivational saying, used by teachers, parents, and employers. Today it appears on motivational posters, is quoted in speeches, and is one of the first proverbs Italian children learn. It can be used sincerely or ironically, acknowledging its sometimes overly optimistic view of what pure will can achieve.
Associated with Risorgimento nationalist rhetoric; Mazzini and other patriots used willpower philosophy as a political motivating force.
Learning a new skill
Pensi di non riuscire a imparare il cinese? Volere è potere — bastano impegno e costanza.
You think you can't learn Chinese? Where there's a will, there's a way — all it takes is commitment and consistency.
Fitness goal
Vuoi correre una maratona? Volere è potere — inizia con piccoli passi.
You want to run a marathon? Where there's a will, there's a way — start with small steps.
Encouraging a student
Ce la puoi fare. Volere è potere — hai tutte le capacità necessarie.
You can do it. Where there's a will, there's a way — you have all the abilities needed.
Starting a business
Non hai capitali? Volere è potere — trova soluzioni creative per cominciare.
You have no capital? Where there's a will, there's a way — find creative solutions to start.