Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

249
Is fhearr piseach anmocli na 'bhi gun pliiseach.
Better late luck than no luck.
Is fhearr rogha coimhearsnaich na rogha fuine.
Better choice of neighbour than choice of baking.
Is fhearr rud fhàgail aig nàmhaid na rud iarraidh air
caraide.
Better leave a thing with an enemy than ask of a friend.
Is fhearr sean-fhiachan na sean-fhalachd.
Better old debts than old feuds.
Al. na seana-ghamhlas.
Is fhearr seoladh na obair throm.
Directing is better than heavg luork.
Better dii'ect •vrell than work hard. — Eng.
Better gnide weel tlian work fair. — Scot.
Is fhearr sgios chas na sgios meamna.
Better vjcary foot than iveary spirit.
Is fhearr sgur na sgàineadh.
Better cease than burst.
A facetious addition to this is, ' ach 's e sgàineadh a 's iomrait-
iche' — hut bursting is more notable. The suj^posed reply, "S fhearr
sgàineadh na 'm biadh math a mhilleadh,' is merely a translation
oi" the Saxon saying. Better belly burst than good meat spoil.
Is fhearr siol caol coirce fhaotuinn a droch fhearann
na 'bhi falamli.
Better small oats than nothing, out of bad land.
This is a characteristic Hebridean saying. Small black oats are
the chief corn crop.
Is fhearr sior-obair na sàr-obair.
Better steady work than severe work.
Is fhearr sior-ruith na dian-ruith.
Better steady running than full speed.
Is fhearr sith a preas na sith a glais.
Better peace from the vjood than from under lock.
Bedre at tinge ved Busken end ved Boien — Better make terms
in the bush than in 2Jrison. — Dan.
The identity of these sayings is curious.
Is fhearr sith na circe na 'h-aimhreit.
Better peace ivith a hen than strife.
This shows the hand of a hen-pecked philosopher.