Italian Proverb of the Day: “Do as they say, not as they...”Meaning, life lesson, how to apply in daily lives, and why this saying still matters today

The Italian saying “Fa’ come dicono, non come fanno”, which translates to “Do as they say, not as they do,” offers a sharp reminder that advice is not always reflected in a person’s own actions. It encourages us to judge guidance wisely, learn from useful words and recognise the difference between what people preach and how they actually behave.

What does this proverb mean?

The Italian proverb “Do as they say, not as they do.” It points out the gap that can sometimes exist between a person’s advice and their own behaviour. The proverb suggests that people may give good advice even when they do not follow it themselves. Instead of rejecting useful guidance simply because the person giving it is inconsistent, we can consider the advice on its own merits and decide whether it is valuable. At the same time, the saying encourages us to be observant and thoughtful.

The life lesson behind the Italian proverb

The Italian proverb teaches us to separate valuable advice from the behaviour of the person giving it. People are not always consistent, and even those who fail to follow their own advice can sometimes offer useful wisdom. The proverb encourages us to listen carefully, think independently and take the lessons that can genuinely improve our lives. It also reminds us to judge people by their actions while recognising that their words may still contain something worth learning.

How to apply this proverb in daily life

• Listen to advice carefully: Consider what others say instead of dismissing their advice because of their own mistakes.
• Think independently: Do not follow advice blindly. Decide whether it makes sense for your situation.
• Learn from others’ mistakes: Someone else's actions can show you what to avoid, even if their advice is useful.
• Separate words from actions: Pay attention to what people do, not just what they say.

Why this saying still matters today

The Italian proverb remains relevant because people today are constantly surrounded by advice, opinions and recommendations. From social media influencers and public figures to colleagues, friends and family members, we often hear people telling us how we should live or behave. Yet their own actions may not always match their words.

A simple lesson to remember

The Italian proverb leaves us with a simple but meaningful lesson: listen to good advice, but do not blindly follow the person giving it. People can make mistakes, contradict their own words or fail to practise what they preach, yet their experiences may still teach us something valuable. The key is to think independently, learn from both their words and actions, and choose what is right for our own lives.