He who is well off does not move — contentment discourages change; those who have found their equilibrium have no reason to disturb it. Used both approvingly (why change what works?) and critically (stagnation masquerading as satisfaction).
The tension between staying and leaving runs like a fault line through Sicilian identity. The proverb acknowledges the logic of staying: if what you have is enough, if where you are brings you peace, why court the uncertainty of change? This was the philosophy of those who did not emigrate, who watched their neighbours board the ships for Argentina and chose to remain. Whether from genuine contentment or from fear dressed up as satisfaction is what the proverb leaves deliberately ambiguous. It was used by the older generation to justify their immobility and by the younger generation with ironic bitterness: the people who 'si trovano bene' often kept the world exactly as it was, which was not always good for those who did not share their comfort.
Reflects the ambivalence of Sicilian culture toward change and movement, particularly in the context of emigration decisions. 'Si trova beni' = si trova bene (is well off/comfortable). Used widely across the island.
Explaining why a successful local entrepreneur never expanded
— Perché non ha mai aperto altri negozi? — Cu si trova beni non si movi. Ha quello che gli basta e non vuole rischiare.
— Why did he never open more shops? — He who is well off does not move. He has what is enough and does not want to risk.
Criticising conservative local politics
Votano sempre gli stessi perché cu si trova beni non si movi — ma loro si trovano bene sulle spalle degli altri.
They always vote for the same people because he who is well off does not move — but they are comfortable on the backs of others.
A young Sicilian defending his decision to stay home rather than emigrate
Sì, resto. Cu si trova beni non si movi — ho la famiglia, ho il lavoro, ho il mare. Cosa cerco altrove?
Yes, I am staying. He who is well off does not move — I have my family, my work, my sea. What am I looking for elsewhere?
Accepting a friend's decision not to pursue a risky opportunity
Non vuole cambiare azienda anche se potrebbe guadagnare di più. Cu si trova beni non si movi — rispetto la sua scelta.
He does not want to change company even though he could earn more. He who is well off does not move — I respect his choice.