He who has no money in his pocket abounds in words — those who lack substance make up for it with talk. The poor in deeds and resources compensate with extravagant verbal promises, grand plans, and elaborate justifications. When the pocket is full, words are unnecessary.
This proverb identified a specific social type — the eloquent poor man, the promiser who could not deliver, the person whose words were inversely proportional to their capacity for action. It was not an attack on all speech but on speech that substitutes for substance. In Sicilian culture, where results and reliability were the true currencies of respect, the person who spoke much but did little was transparently exposed by this formula. 'Sacchetta' is the Sicilian word for tasca (pocket). The proverb was used to explain why someone should be judged by their actions rather than their promises, and to caution against the seductive speaker whose words outran their means.
A Sicilian proverb about the inverse relationship between substance and verbosity. 'Dinari in sacchetta' = denaro in tasca (money in pocket), 'abbunna di paroli' = abbonda di parole (abounds in words). Widely used in social and political commentary across all of Sicily.
About a person who always promises but never delivers
Ogni settimana un nuovo progetto, una nuova idea. Cu non hà dinari in sacchetta abbunna di paroli — e di risultati concreti non ne ha nessuno.
Every week a new project, a new idea. He who has no money in his pocket abounds in words — and of concrete results he has none.
Advising caution about a charming but unreliable person
Parla benissimo, promette tutto. Cu non hà dinari in sacchetta abbunna di paroli — aspetta prima di fidarti.
He speaks beautifully, promises everything. He who has no money in his pocket abounds in words — wait before trusting.
After a meeting of grand rhetoric but no decisions
Tre ore di discorsi, nessuna decisione. Cu non hà dinari in sacchetta abbunna di paroli — questa è la politica siciliana.
Three hours of speeches, no decisions. He who has no money in his pocket abounds in words — this is Sicilian politics.
Evaluating a job candidate who talks but cannot demonstrate skills
Sa parlare di sé. Ma fa? Cu non hà dinari in sacchetta abbunna di paroli — dammi una prova pratica.
He can talk about himself. But can he do? He who has no money in his pocket abounds in words — give me a practical demonstration.