What it looks like
The beginning of a motivational proverb.
Chi vive sperando... — “Those who live hoping...”
It sounds as if something uplifting should follow.
It could.
What it is
The Italian version of positive thinking:
Chi vive sperando, muore cagando.
Literally: those who live hoping die shitting.
Not likely to appear on a gym wall.
But the philosophy is clear: hope is fine. Just don’t rely on it too much.
The scene
You walk into a bar.
Coffee.
A scratch card.
You scratch.
Nothing.
— One day...
The bartender looks at the ticket, then at you.
— Chi vive sperando...
No need to finish it.
You both know.
Tomorrow you will probably buy another one.
The scratch card
Few objects explain this Italian relationship with hope better.
The buyer knows perfectly well that they probably won’t win.
Often they announce it before scratching: “I never win anyway.”
Then they scratch carefully.
Because you never know.
It is pessimism that has already paid for the ticket.
Italian fatalism
Italians hope for many things: an extension, a call, a permanent job, a stalled application suddenly moving, the right number under the silver coating.
But appearing too confident feels dangerous.
So hope comes with safety devices: Vediamo. Mah. Non si sa mai. Aspettiamo. Incrociamo le dita.
And, of course: Chi vive sperando...
Not exactly pessimism
The pessimist thinks it will go badly.
The optimist thinks it will go well.
The Italian buys the scratch card saying: “That’s five euros wasted.”
A third philosophical school: want the result intensely while declaring you never believed in it.
If it goes badly, you were right. If it goes well, you won.
Careful
Chi vive sperando... does not mean “don’t hope.”
It means: don’t celebrate before it has actually happened.
Hope is allowed.
Enthusiasm requires documentation.
Key to understanding
Italians have not given up hope.
They have simply learned to deny it in advance.
Buy the ticket. Scratch it. Say you never win. Check it twice.
When you lose: “I knew it.”
Then have your coffee.
And perhaps buy another one.
