Emanuala pointed out in another thread
about 2 for the money we say;
prendere due piccioni con una fava:
to catch two pigeons by means of (just) one broad bean (used as a bait).


and i let it drop.. but in english, the closer expression to match the italian would be:
To kill 2 birds with one stone..

before you've killed them, you better not count on them..
Don't count your chickens before they have hatched.
and a sure thing is always best
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

for every saying, it seems, there is one contrary--
Absences make the heart grow fonder.. or is it
Out of sight, out of mind!

which are your favorite little maxims.. and do you know the opposite? or a different language version?