Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

277
Is niiuig a thainig conihairle glilic a ceann amadain.
Often has tcise counsel come from afooVs head.
Al. a bial an amadain — the fool's mouth.
Al. 'S minig a bha conihairle righ 'an ceann amadain.
Is minig a fuaras comhairle ghlic ò amadàn. — Ir.
Is minig a blia leigeadh fad' aig fear gun chii, 'us urcli-
air aig fear gun ghunna.
A man vAthout a clog or gun has often got a chance at
game.
Is minig a bha 'Math-an-airidh' gun ni, agus ni aig
' Beag-an-toirt'.
' Wcll-deserxecV has often heen empty-handed, and 'Little
matter' well-off.
Is minig a bha muir mhor 'an caolas cumhang.
A great sea has often run in a narrow strait.
Is minig a bha 'n Donus dàicheil.
Tlie Devil is often attractive.
The Prince of Darkness is a gentleman. — K. Lear, III., 4.
Is minig a bha rath air leirist.
A silly has often heen luchj.
Al. air mall-thriallair — a slow traveller.
Is minig a bha sùil-chruthaich air liana bhòidheach.
A fair meadovj has often had a quagmire.
Is minig a chaidh a' mas a soitheach dionach.
The bottom has often gone out of a tight vessel.
Is minig a chaill bodach lair, agus a rinn e treabhadh.
An old man has often lost a mare, and done his
ploughing.
Is minig a dh' eirich muir gharbh a plumanaich.
Hough sea has often followed noise of surge.
A muffled roar from the sea at night in calm weather often pre-
cedes a storm. The word 'plumanaich' is also applied to a chopping
sea, which; when seen in a calm, is a sure sign of coming storm.
Is minig a dh' fhàg làmhan luath cluasan goirid.
Quick hands have often made short ears.
Alluding to the old punishment of cropping the ears.
Is minig a dhiomoil an ceannaiche 'n rud 'bu mhath
leis "n a mhàileid.