He who knows nothing does not become rich — knowledge is the foundation of wealth. In the commercial economy of Piedmont, ignorance was not bliss but poverty.
This Piedmontese proverb reflects the deep respect for education and practical knowledge that characterised the region's bourgeoisie. The House of Savoy established what was, for its time, an advanced system of public education in Piedmont, producing an unusually literate and commercially sophisticated population. The peasant who could not read could not sign a contract, could not understand the markets, could not protect himself from fraudulent landlords. The artisan who did not know his craft could not compete. The merchant who did not know his markets was at the mercy of those who did. Knowledge — practical, commercial, legal — was not merely admirable but economically necessary. The proverb is both an incentive to education and a realistic assessment of the relationship between knowledge and economic survival.
Piedmontese proverb reflecting the region's strong tradition of practical education. The Savoy administration established one of the earliest effective public education systems in Italy.
A Piedmontese father sending his son to school in Turin
Non ti mando a Torino per farti stare bene. Chi no sa nient, a no duventa ricch — e io sono rimasto povero perché non ho studiato.
I am not sending you to Turin for your comfort. He who knows nothing does not become rich — and I remained poor because I did not study.
A Langhe winemaker on enology courses
Mio nonno faceva il vino a occhio. Io ho studiato enologia. Chi no sa nient, a no duventa ricch — i miei vini valgono il doppio dei suoi.
My grandfather made wine by eye. I studied enology. He who knows nothing does not become rich — my wines are worth double his.
A Turin commercial school headmaster addressing graduates
Avete imparato ragioneria, diritto, lingue. Chi no sa nient, a no duventa ricch — voi avete le armi. Usatele.
You have learned accounting, law, languages. He who knows nothing does not become rich — you have the weapons. Use them.
A Piedmontese mother on education
— Non mi piace studiare. — Chi no sa nient, a no duventa ricch. Fai la cosa che non ti piace e poi fai quella che vuoi.
— I do not like studying. — He who knows nothing does not become rich. Do the thing you do not like and then do the thing you want.