Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

157
Cuid an t-searraich de 'n chlèith.
The foaVs share of the harrow.
Going beside his dam.
Cuidich leat fhein, 's cuidichidh Dia leat.
Help thyself, and God ivill help thee.
Al. Dean do dhichioll, 's cuidichidh Dia leat.
Cuidigheann Dia leis an tè a chuidigheas leis fèin. — Ir.
Hilf dir selbst, so hilft dir Gott.— Germ.
Help u zelven, zoo helpt u God. — Butch.
Hielp dig selv, da hielper dig Gud. — Dan.
Aide-toi, le ciel t-aidera. — Fr.
Quien se guarda, Dios le guarda.— /Spcm.
Chi s' aiuta, Dio 1' aiuta. — Ital.
2Ùj/ 'A6r]và Kaì x^'-P"- i^'i-vd- — Mod. Gr.
Cuigeal don-sniomhaich. Bad spinner's distaff.
Said of an unthrifty or untidy woman.
Cuimhnich air na daoine bho 'n d'thainig tliu,
Eememher those you came from.
A very Highland sentiment. Sometimes it is ' Cuimhnich air
cruadal nan daoine,' &c. — Think of the fortitude of ijour forefathers ;
a sentiment which has proved strong on many a battlefield. '
Cuir a mach an Sasunnach, 's thoir a stigh an cù.
Put out the Englishman, and take in the dog.
This is a Lochaber saying, supposed to date from the time of
Cromwell, whose soldiers scourged that country severely.
Cuir an tuagh air an t-samhaich cheart.
Put the axe on the right helve.
Put the saddle on the right horse,
Cuir ceann na muice ri earr an uircein.
Set the soiu's head to the little pig's tail.
Bring the head o' the sow to the tail o' the grice. — Scot.
This looks like a case of hysteron protero7i, but Kelly interprets
it, ' balance your loss with your gain '.
Cuir do làmh 's a' chliabh, 's thoir do rogha liabaig as.
Put your hand into the creel, and take your choice of
flounders.
If this be a version of the Scottish rhyme on matrimony, it is
certainly improved —
Put yir hand in the creel,
And draw an adder or an eel.