Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

hefore his comjìany. Courtesy never broke mail's crown. The rude
jester is brother to the fool.
He's a bad guest whom the house is the worse of. House with
closed door can't be kept. Happy is that which is shared — pity him
who fares alone. A thing is the bigger of being shared. The scarcer
the food, the more bounty to share it. Welcome the coming, speed the
parting guest. A feast is nothing without its conversation. The
first story from the host, and tales till morning from the guest.
Benevolence.
Sense hides shame. Love hides ugliness. Woe to him who won't
maintain his own poor one. Woe to him who vexes the weak. None
ever did violence but suffered violence. Woe to him who would wish
a ruined home to any one.
Patience.
Better weary foot than weary spirit. The day is longer than the
brae, we'll be at the top yet. Patience overcomes trouble. Patience
never hurt a man. Patience wins victory. Patience wears out stones.
Humility.
The heaviest ear of corn bends its head lowest. Sit lovdy, and pay
nobly.
Silence, Caution, Words and Deeds, Appearances.
It's a big ivord that the mouth can't hold. A tvord is big when
it's lessened. It's good manners to be silent. Choose thy speech. Say
little and say well. It's well that the teeth are before the tongue.
Shut mouth incurs no debt. If you tell all you see, you'll tell lohat
will shame you. If you hear a hueless tale, don't repeat it. Believe
not the bad report till proved. A man's smile is not his own. Not
words prove, but deeds. The worst cow lows loudest. Puffing won't
m.ake piping. Fulsome talk won't make kelp. The nodding of heads
doesn't row the boat. A rotten stick is often nice to look at. The
Devil is often attractive. A rich heart may be mider a poor coat.
Good sword has often been in poor scabbard.
Fools.
It's difficult to give sense to a fool. IViw won't take advice is