Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

u
cwt., in good preservation, found in May, 1879, at some depth in
a peat-moss, in Kingaii-locli, is now preserved in the Museum of
the Scot. Soc. of Antiquaries. The keg was hollowed out of a
solid piece of tree. Several such have been found in Irish bogs.
See Ulster Journ. of Arch., Vol. VII., p. 288.
Am fear a dh' itheas an ceann dathadh e 'm bus.
He that eats the (sheep's) head let him singe it himself.
Am fear a glieabh ainm na moch-eirigh, faodaidh e
laidhe anmoch.
He that gets the name of early rising may lie in heel late.
Acquista buona fama, e mettiti à dormire. — Ital.
Cobra buena fama, y echate a dormir. — Span.
Get the word o' soon risiti', an' ye may lie in bed a' day. — Scot.
Am fear a gheallas 's e 'dh'iocas.
He that firomises viustpay.
Promise is debt. — Engl.
Zusagen macht Schuld. — Germ.
Belofte maakt schuld, en schuld maakt belofte. — Dutch.
Quien proniete, en deuda se mete. — Span.
Am fear a ghleidheas a cliuid gleidliidh e 'chàirdean.
He that keeps his means will keep his friends.
See Timon of Athens.
Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e 'charaid.
Who keeps his tongue will keep his friend.
Better lose a jest than a friend. — Engl.
Better tine joke than friend. — Scot.
Gjem din Mund og gjem din Ven. — Dan.
Am fear a ghoideadh an t-ubh-circe, ghoideadh e 'n
t-ubh-geòidh.
Who vjould steal the hen egg would steal the goose egg.
Am fear a ghoideas an t-snàthad bheag, goididh e 'n
t-snàthad mlior.
He that steals the little needle will steal the big one.
Am fear a ghoideadh an t-snàthad, ghoideadh e 'm
miaran.
He who steals the needle tvonld steal the thimhle.
He that steals a preen will steal a better thing. — Scot,
He who steals an egg would steal an ox. — Engl.