"Amor fe e dove fe nonne, amor non può".

English translation: "Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

09:39 Apr 25, 2008

Italian to English translations [PRO]
History / Medici family

Italian term or phrase: "Amor fe e dove fe nonne, amor non può".

This is a text about the history of the Medici family. This phrase is about Lorenzo de Medici. My problem is that I do not understand the source text. I have asked various Italian speakers and even they cannot decipher it. Is it old Italian or could it possible be a typo error? TIA
Here below a piece of the text, containing the phrase which is giving me trouble...

Nel 1466, in occasione del matrimonio tra Costanza, sorella di Lucrezia, e Braccio Martelli, Lorenzo promise alla sua "Donna" un torneo in onore e Lucrezia per parte sua gli donò una ghirlanda di violette in pegno d’amore. Per l’occasione fu coniato il motto "Amor fe e dove fe nonne, amor non può".

simona dachille KudoZ activity Questions: 303 (1 open) (5 without valid answers) (19 closed without grading) Answers: 71 United Kingdom
Local time: 11:32

English translation:"Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

Explanation:
I found what could be the original motto: "Amor vuol fe' (short for 'fede', hence the apostrophe, not an accent) e dove fe' nonne ('non è') amor non può". I still fail to grasp the connection with your anecdote, but the phrase makes sense.
I am not expert in ancient English, though, so you could improve the style.

Selected response from:

Marco Indovino (X)
Italy

Grading comment

Thanks, Marco :-)!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +3

"Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

Marco Indovino (X)

Love is an act of faith, in the absence of faith love cannot be

potra

Discussion entries: 3

Answers

40 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

"Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

Marco Indovino (X)
Italy
Native speaker of:

Italian
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thanks, Marco :-)!

10 hrs confidence:

Love is an act of faith, in the absence of faith love cannot be

Explanation:
or
'Love is an act of faith, where lays no faith, love cannot be'
More context would be helpful

potra
United States
Local time: 06:32
Native speaker of:

Italian,

English

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"Amor fe e dove fe nonne, amor non può".

English translation: "Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

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"Amor fe e dove fe nonne, amor non può".

English translation: "Love requireth faith and where there is no faith Love cannot anything"

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