Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

244
Is fhearr caraid 's a cliùirt na cmn 's an sporan.
A friend in the court is better than a crovm in theinirse.
Al. na bo 'am buaile — than a cow in the fold.
Is feaiT carad 's a g-cuirte na bonn sa sparàn. — Ir.
Gwell car yn y llys nag aur ar fys. — Welsh.
A friend at (or in) court is worth a penny in purse.— ^hj/., Scot.
One of the best illustrations of the want of judicial purity in olden
times, which gave rise to this maxim, is Lord President Gilmour's
remark on hearing Cromwell's judges praised for their impartiality
— 'Deil thank them ! they had neither kith nor kin'. Even in
1737, the advice given in a law-suit in regard to the management
of the Bench was as follows : — ' By Lord St. Clair's advice, Mrs.
Kinloch is to wait on Lady Cairnie to-morrow, to cause her to ask
the favour of Lady St. Clair to solicit Lady Betty Elphinston and
Lady Dun'. The ladies last mentioned were the wives of two of
the judges. Lord St. Clair's exquisite caution, in leaving the
management of Lady St. Clair to other people, is interesting. See
Chambers' Dom. Ann., IIL, 29L
Is fhearr coimhearsnach 'am fagus na bràthair fad o
làimh.
Better a neir/hhour at hand than a hrother far away.
Al. Is fhearr coimhearsnach math 's a' bhaile seo, na caraid
anns a' bhail' ud thall. Bdt&r a good neighbour in this town than
a kinsman in yon town.
Eun amezek mad (math) a zo gwell,
Evit na e kerent (na caraid) 'à-h&W.— Breton.
God Nabo er bedre end Broder i anden By. — Dan.
E meglio un prossimo viciuo che un lontano cugino. — Ital.
Is fhearr crathadh na cainbe, na crathadh na cirbe.
The shahing of canvass is better than the shaking of a rag.
The meaning of this is not apparent.
Is fhearr cù beò na leomhan marbh.
Better a living dog than a dead lion.
This is a translation of Eccles. ix. 4.
Is fhearr cù liiath na teanga labhar.
Better a dog swift of foot titan loud of tongue.
Is fhearr cuid na ciad oidhche, na na h-oidliche mu
dheireadh.
The first night's fare is better than the last night's.
The first and last night of the winter beef.
Is fhearr cùl caraide na aghaidh coimhich.
Better back of friend than face of stranger.
Gwell gwegil car na gwyneb estron. — Welsh.