Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

251
Is fhearr iinnsa toinisg na pnnncl leom.
An ounce of sense is better them a ijound of pride.
An ounce of wisdom is worth a pound of -wdt. — Eng.
Is fliiach each math breab a leigeadh leis.
A good horse may he forgiven a kick.
Is fhurasd am bà a mhealladh, gun a làmh a lomadh.
Tlie simpleton may he deceived, ivithout being robbed.
Is fhm-asd a chiir a mach, fear gun an teach aige
fhein.
'Tis easy to put out « man, ivhose ou-n the house is not.
The ejecting of a troublesome visitor may sometimes be a com-
mendable process, but that is not the whole meaning of this saying.
It is interpreted, not unreasonably, in the note of A. Campbell, as
referring to the ejection of poor tenants in the Highlands. The
ease with which that process has generally been accomplished is
remarkable, pleasing in one point of view, sad and shameful iii
another.
Is fhurasd aicheamhail na iDuille nach buailear a thoirt
a mach.
It's easy to avenge the blovj that's not struck.
Is fhurasda buill' an treun-fhir aithneachadh.
The mighty man's stroke is easily knou-u.
The fox foimd the wren one day thrashing corn with his twelve
sons, and wishing to find out the father, made the above flattering
remark. Whereupon the old wren turned round, and leaning on
his flail, said, with a smile of gratification, ' Bha latha dha sin —
That day teas,' adding, with a nod, ' Cha tuig iadsan, na garraich,
sin — They little hioiv that, these chickens'. What the fox did there-
upon is painful to contemplate.
Is fhurasda caisteal gun seisdeadh a ghleidheadh.
It's easy to keep a castle that's not besieged.
It is easy to keep a castle that was never assaulted. — Eng.
This was probably first said to a censorious old maid.
Is fhurasda clach fhaotuinn gu 'tilgeadh air cù.
It's easy to find a stone to throw at a dog.
Facilmente si trova mi bastone per dar ad un cane. — Ital.
The ancient proverb will be well eflected, A staft' is c|uickly
found to beat a dog. — Henry VI., P. II., iii., 1.
Is fhurasd coire fhaotuinn do dh' obair leth-dheanta.
It's easy to find faidt vAth hcdf-finished work.
Is fhurasda dol 'an cuid fir, ach 's e 'cliùis f uireacli ann.
To usurp is easy, to keep is another thing.