He who does not know how to go backwards does not know how to go forwards — the ability to step back, reassess, and retreat when necessary is as important as the ability to advance. Knowing when to retreat is a form of wisdom, not weakness.
The Venetian gondola — that uniquely designed flat-bottomed boat with its asymmetric hull and single oar — can be propelled both forward and backward with equal precision, and the gondolier must master both directions as part of his training. In the narrow calli of the Venetian canals, where two boats cannot pass in some channels, the ability to reverse gracefully is as important as the ability to advance. This very practical skill gave rise to a proverb that generalises beyond navigation: strategic retreat, tactical withdrawal, the willingness to back away from a bad position and start again, is not failure but intelligence. The Republic of Venice itself demonstrated this quality repeatedly in its diplomacy: it was famously willing to make peace, pay tribute, or abandon a position when circumstances required it — and then advance again when conditions improved. The Venetian Arsenal's development of the galley included improvements to oar design that gave the vessel equal facility in both directions, precisely because retreat in battle was sometimes the necessary tactical choice. In business, farming, and personal life, the proverb counsels against the stubbornness that insists on advancing even when the path is closed.
The gondola's requirement of equal mastery in both directions is documented in the training requirements for gondoliers (barcaioli) from the medieval period; the strategic retreat as a Venetian diplomatic and military virtue is well documented in the Republic's historical record.
A gondolier training an apprentice in a narrow canal
Adesso indietro, piano. Chi no sa ndar indrio no sa ndar avanti — la gondola deve obbedirti in tutte e due le direzioni.
Now back, slowly. He who does not know how to go backwards does not know how to go forwards — the gondola must obey you in both directions.
A general manager advising a department head to pull back from a failing project
Questo progetto non va. Bisogna fermarsi e ricominciare. Chi no sa ndar indrio no sa ndar avanti.
This project is not working. We must stop and restart. He who does not know how to go backwards does not know how to go forwards.
A chess teacher explaining to a student why retreating a piece was the right move
Hai ritirato l'alfiere e hai vinto la partita. Chi no sa ndar indrio no sa ndar avanti — il coraggio di indietreggiare è raro.
You retreated the bishop and won the game. He who does not know how to go backwards does not know how to go forwards — the courage to step back is rare.
A mountain guide who turns back a group despite being close to the summit
Il tempo sta cambiando. Torniamo giù. — Siamo quasi in cima! — Chi no sa ndar indrio no sa ndar avanti. Tornerete.
The weather is changing. We go back down. — We are almost at the summit! — He who does not know how to go backwards does not know how to go forwards. You will return.