Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

214
Is ann an sin a tliatlias 'g a cliaitlieamh, eadar an
t-sratliair 's am plàta.
So is it worn, 'twixt the pack-saddle and the straiv-eloth.
Said of people assuming airs beyond their position.
Is ann an uair a's gainn' am biadh a's coir a roinn.
'Tis when food is scarcest it should he divided.
Is ann as a' bheagan a thig am moran.
From the little comes the much.
Many littles mak a miickle. — Scot.
The proverbe saith that many a smale makith a grete. — Chaucer.
Is ann bòidheach 's cba 'n ann dàiclieil.
Bonnie rather than graceful.
Is ann da fhein a dli' innsear e.
Ifs to himself it will he told.
It's his own affair.
Is ann da latha roimh 'bliàs, 'bu cliòir do dliuine
shàr-fhacal a radii.
Till two days hefore he die, man shoidd not spcah his
vjcightiest word.
There is much wisdom in this saying.
Is ann de'n aon chlòth an cathdath.
The tartan is all of one stuff.
Cath-dath = battle-colour. — Armstrong.
Is ann de'n cheaird a' chungaidli.
The tools are part of the trade.
At. Is i 'cheaird.
'S i leith na ceirde an ùirleis — The tools are half the trade. — Ir.
Is ann de'n tuaigh an t-shamhach.
The haft helongs to the axe.
See ' Cuir an tuagh '.
Is ann le làimh ghlain bu cbòir altachadh.
One shoidd salute (or say grace) loith a clean hand.
See Psalm xxiv. 3, 4.
Is ann feasgar a dh' aithnichear na fir.
It's at evening the men are known.
Is ann fhad 's a bhios an t-slat maotb is fliasa 'lùbadh.
When the twig is tender it is easiest hent.
Am meangan nach sniomh thu,
Cha spion thu 'u a chraoibh e. — Dug. Buchanan.