He who does not try does not know — knowledge without experience is incomplete. You can be told a thousand times, but until you have tried it yourself, you do not truly know it. Experience is the only authentic teacher.
Sicilian folk wisdom was deeply empirical — it trusted the hand over the book, the eye over the report, the experience over the theory. The craftsman who had made a thousand pots knew things the student of ceramics could not learn from any text. The farmer who had cultivated the same land for fifty years knew things the agricultural scientist had not discovered. This proverb expressed this empirical preference for direct experience as the only complete form of knowledge. It was applied to everything from cooking ('try it before you say you do not like it') to careers ('work there before you decide it is not for you') to love ('you cannot know what loving someone is like until you have tried'). The injunction to try — 'prova' — was the beginning of genuine knowledge.
A Sicilian empiricist proverb privileging direct experience over theoretical knowledge. 'Prova' = prova (tries/tests), 'sapi' = sa (knows). Reflects the island's deep craft and agricultural tradition where knowledge was accumulated through hands-on practice.
Encouraging a picky eater to try a new dish
Non puoi dire che non ti piace senza averlo mai provato. Cu nun prova nun sapi — assaggia almeno un pezzo.
You cannot say you do not like it without ever having tried it. He who does not try does not know — taste at least a piece.
About someone who gave up a career without trying it properly
L'ha abbandonata dopo due settimane. Cu nun prova nun sapi — non ha dato il tempo sufficiente.
He abandoned it after two weeks. He who does not try does not know — he did not give it enough time.
Advising someone scared to try a new experience
— E se non mi piace? — Cu nun prova nun sapi. Prova e poi decidi.
— What if I do not like it? — He who does not try does not know. Try and then decide.
A craftsman explaining how he learned his trade
Non l'ho imparato dai libri. Cu nun prova nun sapi — le mie mani hanno fatto mille errori prima di imparare.
I did not learn it from books. He who does not try does not know — my hands made a thousand mistakes before learning.