Giovanni Maria Cecchi fue un poeta, dramaturgo, escritor y notario italiano, perteneciente al círculo de los Médici.
Nacido en Florencia, Cecchi suele inspirarse en obras clásicas, aunque a veces también se deja influir por acontecimientos de su tiempo.
Fue un escritor muy prolífico, pero entre sus trabajos más destacados merece la pena destacar el Sommario de' magistrati di Firenze [di ser Giovanni Maria Cecchi] y Per una storia istituzionale dello Stato fiorentino, un tratado de historia local. Igualmente, también destacan algunas de sus farsas y sus comedias de temática religiosa.
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“One cuirass serves for a hundred brawéls.”
I Rivalli, Act II., Scene I.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 434.
“Learn art and virtue, and, when times demand,
(So says the saw), you have them to your hand.”
(Dice il proverbio) impara arte e virtù,
E se il bisogno vien cavala su.
Le Rappresentazioni di Tobia, Act 7., Scene IV.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 323.
“When the ground is soft
It may be worked with any kind of tool.”
Le Pellegrine, Act III., Scene VIL.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 366.
“If you want a thing done, go yourself; if not, send.”
La Dote, Act 7., Scene II. — (Ippolito).
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 275.
“Who first shall reach the mill, he first shall grind.”
Chi prima giugne al mulin, prima macina.
Gli Sciamiti, Act II., Scene III.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 270.
“Santa Agnesa, Act I., Scene II. — (Lascone).”
Ogni laccio
O sia di seta, o d’oro, o si di fune
Strigne ed affoga.
Translation: Every bond,
Be it of silk, or gold, or vulgar hemp,
Presses and suffocates.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 385.
“Il Diamante, Act I., Scene I.”
Al gatto vecchio,
Dice il proverbio, dagli topo tenero.
Translation: To the old cat,
So says the proverb, give a tender mouse.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 244.
Per arte e per inganno
Si vive mezzo l’anno;
Per inganno e per arte
Si vive l’altra parte.
L’Esaltazion della Croce, Act IV., Scene IX.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 390.
“Who trusts to others for his food,
Waits long e’er he be satisfied.”
Chi per l’altrui mani
S’imbocca, tardi si satolla.
Le Rappresentazion di Tobia, Act I., Scene III. — (Samuella).
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 269.
“The proverb says, He conquers who endures.”
Il Diamante, Act I., Scene II. — (Scacchia).
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 265.
“Chi vuol far, vadia, e chi non vuol far, mandi.”
La Dote, Act 7., Scene II. — (Ippolito).
Translation: If you want a thing done, go yourself; if not, send.
Translation reported in Harbottle's Dictionary of quotations French and Italian (1904), p. 275.