Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

posite can be said. Their view of human nature is
keen but kindly, critical, but not contemptuous. The
number of them that can be condemned, on the score of
morals or of taste, is singularly small, more than can be
said of the Proverbs of several great nations. They
represent very much the character that is still found
among our unadulterated Highland people, which un-
doubtedly they contributed much to form. That char-
acter is a mixture of diverse qualities, some admirable,
some not so, but on the whole very respectable, seldom
repulsive, oftener attractive, most rarely of all indicat-
ing selfishness, stupidity, heartlessness, or treachery.
These special faults have ever been regarded among
Highlanders with antipathy, pity, contempt, and ab-
horrence.
In these Gaelic Proverbs there is plain and consistent
inculcation of the virtues of Truthfulness. Honesty,
Fidelity, Self-restraint, Self-esteem, Sense of Honour,
Courage, Caution, in word and deed, Generosity, Hos-
pitality, Courtesy, Peaceableness, Love of Kindred,
Patience, Promptness, Industry, Providence. There are
none to be found excusing or recommending Selfishness,
Cunning, Time-serving, or any other form of vice "or
meanness. A salmon from the stream, a deer from the
forest, a ivand from the ivood, three thefts that no man
ever hlushed for, is the only saying expressive of any
looseness of sentiment in regard to the rights of pro-
perty, and it is not a very shocking one, coming as it
does from times when the hfting of cattle was not con-
sidered disgraceful even to men of high degree. /
would give him a night's quarters, though he had a man's