The agreement serves well twice — a deal that is honoured serves both parties in the transaction itself and in the reputation it builds for future dealings.
The patò (agreement, from the French pacte) reflects the strong French influence on Piedmontese commercial language under the Savoy dynasty, which ruled territories on both sides of the Alps. An agreement made and kept served both parties in two ways: immediately, by delivering what was promised; and in the future, by establishing the agreeing party as reliable. In the close-knit merchant communities of Turin, Asti, and Cuneo, reputation was a commercial asset that compound interest did not capture: the merchant known for keeping every patò had access to credit, partnerships, and opportunities unavailable to those whose word was unreliable. The proverb counsels keeping agreements even when it is costly to do so, because the long-term benefit of reputation exceeds the short-term cost of compliance.
Piedmontese commercial proverb rooted in the Savoy mercantile tradition. The French-derived patò reflects the bilingual French-Italian character of Piedmontese commerce.
A Turin merchant explaining why he honoured a loss-making contract
Ho perso soldi su quell'affare. Ma al patò al fa bon per do vòt — adesso quel cliente mi porta tutto il suo giro d'affari.
Perdi dinero en ese trato. Pero el acuerdo sirve bien dos veces: ahora ese cliente me trae todo su negocio.
A Piedmontese winemaker on long-term supply contracts
Il prezzo dell'anno scorso era sotto mercato per me. Ma al patò al fa bon per do vòt — quest'anno il mercato è sceso e sono io che ci guadagno.
El precio del año pasado estaba por debajo del mercado para mi. Pero el acuerdo sirve bien dos veces: este año el mercado ha bajado y soy yo quien gana.
A Turin notary advising on contract negotiations
Firmate un contratto che potete rispettare. Al patò al fa bon per do vòt — chi non rispetta i contratti non ne firma più.
Firmad un contrato que podais cumplir. El acuerdo sirve bien dos veces: quien no cumple los contratos no firma más.
A Cuneo family business on supplier relationships
Paghiamo sempre nei trenta giorni concordati. Al patò al fa bon per do vòt — quando abbiamo avuto bisogno di dilazioni, ce le hanno date subito.
Pagamos siempre dentro de los treinta días pactados. El acuerdo sirve bien dos veces: cuando necesitamos aplazamientos, nos los concedieron de inmediato.