Sicilians speak little and do much — a self-description expressing the Sicilian ideal of letting actions speak for themselves rather than making promises or announcements. The value of understatement and the suspicion of those who talk too much.
This proverb is simultaneously a self-portrait and an aspiration — Sicilians describing what they believe themselves to be, and what they admire. The 'picca e assai' contrast (little and much) captured the Sicilian ideal: minimal words, maximal results. Whether this accurately describes all Sicilians is a question the proverb itself declines to answer. But as a cultural value statement, it was precise: the person who spoke rarely but delivered completely was the ideal Sicilian type. It was contrasted with the 'Palermitano' who could talk beautifully about everything and accomplish nothing (in the Catanese stereotype), and with the northern Italian who wrote long reports about what he intended to do. The Sicilian ideal was the man of few words who had already done it before the meeting to discuss doing it.
A Sicilian self-description expressing the cultural ideal of understatement and action over speech. 'Parlanu picca' = parlano poco (speak little), 'fannu assai' = fanno molto (do much). Used as both identity statement and aspiration across all of Sicily.
After a Sicilian colleague delivered results without fanfare
Non ne aveva parlato con nessuno. Poi aveva già finito. I siciliani parlanu picca e fannu assai.
He had not talked about it with anyone. Then he was already finished. Sicilians speak little and do much.
Explaining Sicilian communication style to a northerner
Non aspettarti annunci e presentazioni. I siciliani parlanu picca e fannu assai — li giudicate dai risultati, non dalle parole.
Do not expect announcements and presentations. Sicilians speak little and do much — you judge them by results, not by words.
Self-description at a business meeting
Non faremo una lunga presentazione. I siciliani parlanu picca e fannu assai — vi mostriamo direttamente il prodotto.
We will not make a long presentation. Sicilians speak little and do much — we show you the product directly.
Ironically applied when a Sicilian is talking a lot
Stai facendo un discorso lungo. I siciliani parlanu picca e fannu assai — dai, dimmi solo il punto.
You are making a long speech. Sicilians speak little and do much — come on, just tell me the point.