Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

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and some other clan. The beach at Castle Bay, in Barra, where
the chief resided, abounds in sea-worn stones, piled up by the
Atlantic waves.
Bho'n is tu 'mharcaich an t-eacli, criidh e.
Since you have ridden the horse, shoe him.
Blio'n làimh gus am bial, cuibhrionn a 's f liearr air bitli.
From hand to 'mouth, the best of all portions.
This saying, inconsistent with modern wisdom, but not with
primitive Christianity, is neutralised by the following one.
Bho'n làimli gus am bial, cha dean e duine coir am
feasda.
From hand to mouth tvill never make a loorthy
man.
Bho nacli banachaig mi, cha blii mi 'trod mu'ii fliiar.
As I am not a dairymaid, I won't quarrel about the
grass.
1 won't dispute about what is not in my province.
Bho nach fhaodmi beantainn do'n ghiadh mhor, pronn-
aidh mi na h-iseanan.
As I cannot touch the big goose, I'll pound the goslings.
If I canna kep guse, I'H kep gaislin.— Scoi. Very probably
said first by a fool, who got bitten by a gander. — See Lover's
Essay on Fools, in ^Legends of Ireland'. But there is much of human
natiire in the sentiment. Even kings and statesmen have exem-
plified it.
Bho nach learn, cha tarruing.
Since tt is not mine I won't draw it.
This, if referring to a rope, is selfish. But it is susceptible of
a better interpretation, as a caution to mind one's own business.
Bhuail iad a ceann air an àmraidh.
Thjiìj struck her head against the ambry.
Said of a servant who looks like her food. "Ambry," or
"amry," old English and Scotch for cupboard, originally " almerie,"
or place for keeping alms in. ' He has broken his face on the
ambry,' says Kelly, ' is spoken of bluff, fat-cheek'd boys.'
Bhuail thu 'n tarraug air a ceann.
You have hit the nail on the head.
Bhuain e maorach an uair a bha 'n tràigh ann.
He gathered shell-fish while the tide was out.
Same as making hay while the sun shone.