Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

247
Is fhearr fiiigheall fanaid na fuiglieall farmaid.
The remains of ridicule are better than the dregs of envy.
Is fhearr fuigheall na braide na fuigheaU na sgeige.
The residue of theft is hctter than that of scorn.
Macintosh's translation is, 'The thief may have some profit,
hut the scorner none'. The doctrine is dubious.
Is fhearr fuigheall na uireasbhuidh.
Better leavings than want.
Is fearr fuigheall na bheith air easbhuidh. — Ir.
Is fhearr fuine thana na 'bhi uile falamh.
Tliin hieading is hetter than no hrcad.
Bannocks are better than nae bread.— Scoi.
Half a loaf is better than no bread. — Eng.
Is fhearr greim caillich na tarruing laoich.
An old vjoinan's grip is hetter than a herds indl.
Al. Is fhearr cuniail caillich na tarruiug tighearua.
Better to baud than draw. — Scot.
Is fhearr giith na meidh.
A word is hetter than a balance.
This is a 'dubh-fhacal'. The meaning probably is, that the
voice of a powerful friend is of more value than strict impartiality.
In hLs first edition, Macintosh gives the word ' mèithe,' and his
translation is, ' Better speak than lose right'.
Is fliearr iarunn fhaotainn na airgiod a chall.
Better find iron than tine siller. — Scot.
Is fhearr iasg beag na 'bhi gun iasg idir,
Srna fish is better than nane. — Scot.
Is fliearr iomall a' phailteis na teis-meadhoin na gainne.
Better the border of plenty than the centre of ivant.
A I. na h-airce.
Is fhearr Ian an dùirn de cheaird na Ian an dùirn de
dh-òr.
A handful of trade is better than a handful of gold.
A handfu' o' trade is worth a gowpen o' gowd. — Scot.
A handful of trade is a handful of gold. — Eng.
This is undoubtedly a borrowed proverb. The trade of the
smith, or armourer, was the only one the old Highlanders looked
on with any respect.
Is fhearr leisgeul salach na 'bhi gun leisgeul idir.
Better a had excuse than none. — Eng.