He who has money has friends — wealth attracts company, and the absence of money reveals who your real friends are. A cynical observation about the economics of friendship, and an implicit warning to test your friendships when you have nothing to offer.
In Sicily's highly stratified society, where the gap between rich and poor was extreme and visible, the gravitational power of money on social relationships was observed with clear-eyed realism. The wealthy man had a full table, and a full table always had guests. The poor man ate alone. This was not necessarily hypocrisy — in a world where food, protection, and opportunity were scarce, attaching yourself to wealth was a survival strategy, and everyone understood this. The proverb did not condemn this behaviour but named it clearly, so that the person with money would not confuse the company their wealth attracted for genuine love, and so that those without money would not be surprised when the crowd thinned. The real friends — 'i veri amici' — were the ones who stayed when the money was gone.
A Sicilian proverb about the economics of social relationships, reflecting the island's experience of extreme wealth disparity. 'Dinari' = denaro (money), 'teni' = tiene (has). Related to the broader Mediterranean wisdom about fair-weather friends.
Reflecting on how social life changed after financial ruin
Quando stavo bene venivano tutti. Adesso la casa è vuota. Cu teni dinari teni amici — ho imparato chi era amico vero.
When I was doing well everyone came. Now the house is empty. He who has money has friends — I learned who was a real friend.
Warning a young person who just came into money
Vedrai che adesso ne arrivano tanti. Cu teni dinari teni amici — tieni gli occhi aperti su chi ti cerca adesso.
You will see that many appear now. He who has money has friends — keep your eyes open about who is looking for you now.
A businessman explaining his caution about new friendships
Da quando l'azienda va bene ho molti nuovi 'amici'. Cu teni dinari teni amici — li guardo con rispetto ma non mi fido troppo in fretta.
Since the company is doing well I have many new 'friends.' He who has money has friends — I look at them with respect but do not trust too quickly.
After a lottery win brought unexpected visitors
Ha vinto alla lotteria e non sapeva chi erano tutte quelle persone. Cu teni dinari teni amici — sono apparsi dal niente.
He won the lottery and did not know who all those people were. He who has money has friends — they appeared from nowhere.