All wealth comes from the sea — the sea is the source of Sicily's sustenance, trade, and prosperity. For an island people, the sea is not just a backdrop but the engine of life, the giver of fish and trade routes and connections to the wider world.
Sicily sits at the centre of the Mediterranean — the word itself means 'middle of the earth' — and for millennia the sea routes that crossed at its coasts were the arteries of civilisation. The Phoenicians came by sea, the Greeks by sea, the Arabs by sea, the Normans by sea. The tuna fishing in the straits between Sicily and Africa (the 'mattanza') was one of the most dramatic and productive fisheries in the ancient world. Coral fishing off Trapani, sponge fishing, trade in salt, sulphur loaded onto ships at Porto Empedocle — all of this was wealth that the sea either generated or enabled. Even today, with tourism the dominant industry, the sea is why people come. The proverb was the fisherman's prayer and the merchant's creed, the reason families sent their sons to sea even knowing the risks.
A foundational proverb of Sicilian maritime identity, reflecting the island's position as the Mediterranean's central hub for trade, fishing, and cultural exchange since antiquity. 'Ricchizza' = ricchezza, 'veni' = viene.
A fisherman explaining why he continues despite the dangers
— Non hai paura? Il mare è pericoloso. — Ogni ricchizza veni di lu mari. Ho paura, sì, ma il mare mi ha sfamato e ha sfamato i miei figli.
— Are you not scared? The sea is dangerous. — All wealth comes from the sea. I am scared, yes, but the sea has fed me and fed my children.
A tourism operator explaining Sicily's economy
La gente viene per il mare, mangia il pesce, dorme negli hotel di costa. Ogni ricchizza veni di lu mari — anche oggi, anche in modo diverso.
People come for the sea, eat the fish, sleep in the coastal hotels. All wealth comes from the sea — even today, even in a different way.
An old coral fisherman from Trapani
Mio nonno pescava il corallo al largo delle coste africane. Ogni ricchizza veni di lu mari — quella pietra rossa ha costruito questa casa.
My grandfather fished for coral off the African coasts. All wealth comes from the sea — that red stone built this house.
Teaching children about Sicily's identity
Siamo un'isola. Ogni ricchizza veni di lu mari — non lo dimenticate mai. Senza il mare non saremmo niente.
We are an island. All wealth comes from the sea — never forget this. Without the sea we would be nothing.