Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

238
mills was prohibited by the Scottish Parliament as far back as
1284, but continued privately notwithstanding, and is probably
not entirely obsolete yet. The above saying is supposed to refer
to the orders given by the lairds to have all the querns broken.
Is fheairrcle cù cù a chrochadh.
A dog is the better of another dog hcing hanged.
Is fheairrde cù sgaiteach cnàimh a chur 'n a bhial.
A biting dog is the better of a bone.
Gwell cariad y ci na'i gas — A docfs friendship is better than his
hate. — Welsh.
Is fheairrde ciiideaclid cùis-bhùrd.
A company is the better of a laughing-stoch.
Al. culaidh-ghàire.
Is fheairrde gach cneadh a ceasnachadh.
A wound is the better of being probed.
Is fheairrde gach math a mhèudachadh.
Every good is the better of being increased.
Is fheairrde h-uile cù a dhion a chinu a dhranndan.
A dog's snarl defends his head.
Is fhearr a bhi bochd na 'bhi briagach.
Better be poor than a liar.
Is fhearr a bhi cinnteach na 'bhi caillteach.
Better be sure than lose.
Is fhearr a bhi cuimhueachadh air a mhath a bha, na
'bhi 'smaoineachadh air a mhath nach 'eil 's nach bi.
Better thinking of the good that lias been, than of that
which is not, and never vjill be.
A thoroughly Celtic and respectable Conservative sentiment.
Is fhearr a bhi 'dhith a' chinn na 'bhi dhith an fhasain.
Better want the head than toant tile fashion.
Al. Is fhearr dol as an amhaich na dol as an fhasan — Better out
of neck than out of fashion.
A very human and especially feminine sentiment.
Is fhearr a bhi dubh na 'bhi ban ;
Is fhearr a bhi ban na 'bhi ruadh ;
Is fhearr a bhi ruadh na 'bhi carrach ;
Is fhearr a bhi carrach na 'bhi gun cheann.
Better be black than fair ;
Better be fair than red ;