Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

21
on the Inch of Perth. The story goes that Harry, having killerl
his man, sat dowTi to rest. The chief of the Chm Chattan ca,me
up, and demanded the reason. Harry said he had fulfilled his
bargain, and earned his money. ' Him that serves me without
counting his hours,' said the chief, 'I reward without reckoning
wages '. Whereupon Harry made the above reply, rose up, and
resumed the fight. — See Fair Maid of Perth, ch. xxxiv.
Am fear nach dean bail air bial a' bhiiilg, ni an t-iochd-
ar bail air fhein.
If you don't spare the mouth of the hag^ the bottom will
spare itself
Better spare at brim than at bottom. — Enrjl. and Scot.
Bedre at spare paa Bredden, end paa Bunden. — Dan.
Am fear nach dean Nollaig le 'dheòin^ ni e Càisg a
dh-aindeoin.
He ivho u-orit heep Christmas must keep Easter.
The Church of Rome requires communion at least once a year,
and that at Easter. He who omits it at Christmas can't avoid
it then. Another proverb, however, throws a ditlerent light on
this one : Am fear nach dean Nollaig shùnndach, ni e' Chàisg gu
tùrsach dèurach. — He who hasnH a rwrry Christmas \oill have a sad
and tearful Easter, i.e., he wliose family circumstances prevent him
from enjoying Christmas will have greater grief before Easter.
Am fear nach dean obair no gniomh,
Cha'n fhaigh e biadh feadh nam preas.
He that neither worJcs nor pushes.
Won't find food among the hushes.
Am fear nach dean toil a' Phàpa, fàgadh e an Ròimh,
He that loon't obey the Poye, let him leave Rome.
Qui veut vivre à Eome ne doit pas se quereller avec le
Pape.— i^^r.
Am fear nach do chleachd an claidheamh, fàgaidh e
air a tliom e.
He that's not used to the sword will leave it wliere he sect.
Am fear nach do thàr gu 'bhogha, thàr gu 'chlaidheamh.
He that did not get at his boiv got at his sword.
This alludes to a sudden attack followed by confusion, and
probable panic, as is suggested by another saying.
Am fear nach fhanadh ri 'bhogha, cha'n fhanadh ri
'chlaidheamh.
He who wouldn't wait for his bow wouldn't wait for
his sicord. *