Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

2G6
Is mairg a chaillear 's an an-iiair !
Alas for him who is lost in the storm !
Is mairg a cliitheadh adhaircean fad' air a' chrodh
ghuineideach.
Pity him who would see long Jiorns on the hvttinf] covj.
Al. Is math nach 'eil adhaircean fad' air na bà luinneanach —
Ifs well that the frisky cotes haven't long horns.
The puttin' coo should be aye a doddy (hornless). — Song by Sir
A. Bosrvell.
Is m lirg a chuireadli a làmli gun aobhar 'am bial a'
mhadaidh.
Piti/ him v:ho would put his hand ivithout cause into a
dogs mouth.
Is mairg a chuireadh 'an toiseach na luing' thu.
Pity him ivho would put you in the shijfs hoio.
As pilot, or look-out man.
Is mairg a chuireadh an ùir air sùil a charaide.
Pity him 'Loho vwuld put the earth on the eye of his
friend.
Who would do him to death.
Is mairg a chuireadh 'uile dhòigh 'an aon duine 'chaidh
'n deò 'n a chre.
Woe to him that puts all his trust in any mortal sprung
from dust.
Is mairg a chuireas a chuid far nach urrainn da a
toirt as.
Pity him who puts his means where he cannot get it out.
Is mairg a chuireas air chùl a dhaoine fhein.
Pity him ivho turns his back on his oivn people.
Is mairg a chuireas farran air fann.
Woe to him who vexes the weak.
Is mairg a dh' àraicheadh a laogh gu moilleach, 's an
galar guineach 'n a dheigh.
Pity him ivho would pamper his calf, and sharp disease
follovnng.
Applied to spoiled children.
Is mairg a dlieanadh bàthaich dhe 'hhroinn.
Pity him that makes a hyre of his helly.