Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

24
Am fear nacli toir an air' air a' bheagan, cha'n airidh
air a' mhoran.
He that is not careful of the little is not worthy of
much.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithfiil also in
much. — Luke xvii. 10.
Die 't klein versmaad, is 't groot niet waard. — Dutch.
Am fear nach toir an aire dha fhein, bidh each a
fanaid air.
He tliat cares not for himself will he made a
mock of.
Am fear nach treabh aig a' bhaile cha treabh e as.
He that won't plough at home won't plough abroad.
Am fear nach treabh air muir cha treabh e air tir.
He that will not plough at sea, neither will lie ploiigh
on land.
This does not bear out the opinion of some who have repre-
sented the Highlander as essentially averse to sea-faring.
Am fear 'tha grad gu gealladh, 's trie leis mealladh.
Quick to promise often deceives.
Am fiar a thig a mach 's a' Mhàrt, theid e 's tigh 's a'
Ghiblean.
The grass that comes out in March shrinks away in
April.
Cito maturum, cito pntridum. — Lat.
Presto niaturo, presto marzo. — Ital.
Soon ripe, soon rotten. — Eng.
Am fitheach a' cur a mach a theanga leis an teas.
The raven putting out his tongue for heat.
Am fitheach a dh'eireas moch, 's ann leis a bhios sùil
a' bheothaich a tha 's a' pholl.
The raven that rises early gets the eye of the beast in
the bog.
Am foinne mu 'n iath a' ghlac,
Is niarachd mac air am bi ;
Am foinne mu 'n iath a' bhròg,
Is niarachd bean òg air am bl.
Wart on palm is luck to lad,
Wart on in-step luck to lass.