Health is the greatest wealth — no material possession, social position, or financial success means anything without the foundation of good health. A proverb that reorders priorities, placing the body above everything else that society measures success by.
In Sicily, where illness often meant financial ruin as well as physical suffering — because the sick could not work, medical care was expensive, and social security barely existed — health was not a background condition but an active, precious resource to be guarded jealously. The greeting 'saluti!' — equivalent to 'cheers!' — carries this weight: to wish someone health is to wish them the only thing without which nothing else matters. The proverb was repeated at every meal, in every toast, at every departure and reunion. It was the first thing said to someone returning from hospital, the last thing said to someone leaving on a dangerous journey. In modern Sicily, where the public health system has improved immensely, the proverb survives with undiminished conviction.
One of the most universally used Sicilian proverbs, foundational to the culture's greeting and toast traditions. 'Saluti' = salute (health), 'megghiu' = migliore (greatest/best), 'ricchizza' = ricchezza (wealth). Used daily across all of Sicily.
A wealthy man reflecting after a serious illness
Ho tutto — soldi, casa, rispetto. Ma quando stavo male non valeva niente. La saluti è la megghiu ricchizza.
I have everything — money, house, respect. But when I was ill it was all worth nothing. Health is the greatest wealth.
A toast at a Sicilian family dinner
Salute a tutti! La saluti è la megghiu ricchizza — finché stiamo bene, tutto il resto si sistema.
Health to everyone! Health is the greatest wealth — as long as we are well, everything else can be sorted out.
Comforting someone who lost money but recovered from illness
I soldi si trovano di nuovo. La saluti è la megghiu ricchizza — sei in piedi, il resto viene da solo.
Money can be found again. Health is the greatest wealth — you are on your feet, the rest will come by itself.
A doctor's response to a patient who downplayed their symptoms
Non dica che non è importante. La saluti è la megghiu ricchizza — prendetevi cura di questo prima che diventi grave.
Do not say it is not important. Health is the greatest wealth — take care of this before it becomes serious.