He who has money and friendship holds justice in his fist — justice is not blind in Sicily; it bends toward those with wealth and connections. This is a cynical but deeply realistic observation about how power operates, born from centuries of watching the law serve the powerful.
For the Sicilian peasant, justice was always something that happened to other people — or rather, something that was done to them. The courts, the notaries, the judges — all were accessible only to those who could pay or who had the right connections. The word 'manizia' in dialect means 'mano' (hand) with a diminutive suggesting control, manipulation, the grip of someone who can shape outcomes. Under feudal Sicily, the barons had their own courts. Under the Bourbon system, justice was purchased openly. Even after Unification, southern courts were notoriously influenced by local power structures. The proverb is not an endorsement of this reality but a grim map of it, a warning to the poor not to mistake the law for an ally. It explains in part why Sicilians historically turned to informal systems of dispute resolution — including, tragically, the Mafia — rather than institutions they had no reason to trust.
Rooted in the feudal and Bourbon legal systems of Sicily, where justice was explicitly purchasable. Collected in 19th-century dialect archives. 'Dinari' = denaro (money), 'manizia' = mano (hand/grip).
A poor man losing a land dispute to a rich neighbour
Avevo tutte le prove ma ho perso lo stesso. Cu hà dinari e amicizia teni la giustizia in manizia — lui conosceva il giudice da trent'anni.
I had all the evidence but I lost anyway. He who has money and friendship holds justice in his fist — he had known the judge for thirty years.
A lawyer giving a candid assessment to a client
Legalmente lei ha ragione. Ma cu hà dinari e amicizia teni la giustizia in manizia — la controparte ha risorse e io devo essere onesto con lei.
Legally you are right. But he who has money and friendship holds justice in his fist — the other side has resources and I must be honest with you.
A woman discussing a scandalous acquittal
Come è possibile che sia uscito libero? — Non ti meravigliare. Cu hà dinari e amicizia teni la giustizia in manizia. Ha pagato i migliori avvocati e i giudici lo conoscono.
How is it possible that he walked free? — Don't be surprised. He who has money and friendship holds justice in his fist. He paid the best lawyers and the judges know him.
A grandfather explaining Sicilian cynicism about institutions to his grandson
Non fidarti troppo dei tribunali, nipote mio. Cu hà dinari e amicizia teni la giustizia in manizia — questa era la legge quando ero giovane e, mi dispiace dirtelo, lo è ancora.
Do not trust the courts too much, my grandson. He who has money and friendship holds justice in his fist — that was the law when I was young and, I am sorry to say, it still is.