To a good listener, few words suffice — the intelligent person understands from a hint; elaborate explanation is only necessary for those who are slow to understand.
This proverb belongs to the Lombard tradition of valued silence and compressed communication. In the commercial culture of Milan, where time was money and every word in a negotiation revealed something, the ability to communicate with maximum efficiency was prized. The good merchant who understood immediately what the other party wanted — without the need for lengthy explanation — was a superior negotiator. The proverb also serves as a subtle insult in reverse: by saying it explicitly, you imply that the person you are addressing is indeed a good understander. If they require more explanation, they have implicitly failed the test. In Milanese style, the proverb is often left hanging, incomplete — the ultimate demonstration of its own principle.
Pan-Italian proverb with particularly strong Lombard resonance given the value placed on efficient communication in a trading city. Often left deliberately incomplete as a demonstration of its own principle.
A Milanese manager hinting at an implicit warning
Non voglio sentire ancora questa storia. A bon intenditor, poche parole.
No quiero volver a oír esta historia. A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.
A Como silk buyer in a price negotiation
Ho guardato il campione e ho fatto questo gesto. L'altro ha capito. A bon intenditor, poche parole — e abbiamo chiuso.
Miré la muestra e hice este gesto. El otro entendió. A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan — y cerramos el trato.
A Milanese grandmother leaving a hint for a grandchild
— Come stai con quella ragazza? — A bon intenditor, poche parole. Tua madre non la vede bene.
— ¿Cómo van las cosas con esa chica? — A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan. Tu madre no la ve bien.
A Piedmontese foreman addressing a new worker
Qui si lavora alle sei, si finisce alle quattordici, si fa quello che si dice. A bon intenditor, poche parole.
Aquí se empieza a las seis, se termina a las dos, se hace lo que se dice. A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.