Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

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jar outside, while he went in to make his call. The worthy mi-
nister was easily appeased, and Donald hastened out for the great
reconciler, and proceeded at once to fill out a glass. To his aston-
ishment, the minister had no sooner tasted than he spat it out
again, exclaiming, with a strong interjection, ' 'S miosa so na 'n
t-alum !' The parson's wicked brother had emptied the jar, and
filled it with salt water.
Is misde na bochdan a bhi lionmhor.
The foor are the worse of being numerous.
Is mis' a bha tliall 's a cliunnaic e, 's a tliàinig a nail
's a dh'innis e.
'Tis I that was over and saw it, and came hack and
told it.
Is mithich a bhi 'bogadh nan gad.
It's time to he steeping the withes.
This native Gaelic saying, meaning 'It's time to be going,'
belongs to the time when withes of birch or osier were iised for
halters and all the fastenings of horse harness (See note to ' An
gad'). These withes would laecome stiff and brittle, if laid by for
some time, and would therefore be steeped for a while before
taking to horse. There is an Ulster saying in the same words.
Is mo am fuaim na 'bhuil.
The noise is greater than the effect.
Nid cymmaint Bleddyn a' i drwst — Bleddyn is not so great as
his noise. — Welsh.
Plus sonat qnam valet. — Seneca.
See 'Fuaim mòr'.
Is mo an-t-sùil na 'bhrii.
The eye is higgcr than the helly.
Al. Is mo Ian do shiila na Ian do bhroinn — The fill of your eye
is more, &c.
His eye is bigger than his belly. — Eng.
Die Augen sind weiter denn der Bauch. — Germ.
De oogen zijn groter dan de bulk. — Dutch.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing. — Eccl. i. 8.
The dust alone can fill man's eye. — Arab.
He'll hae eneuch some day when his mouth's fu' o' niools. — Scot.
Is raò do mholl na do shiol.
Yoiir chaff is more than your grain.
Is mocli a dh' eireas am fear a bheir an car as.
He ivill rise early that outioits him.
Is moch a dh' eireas am fear nach laidh.
He rises early who goes not to hed.