Blair Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

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Ma dli'fhalbh an t-ian, faodaidli an nead a dliol 'n a
theine.
If the hird he flown, the nest may hum.
Ma dli'innseas duine na's leir dha, iunsidh e na's nar
dha.
If a man tell all he sees, he'll tell ivhat taill shame him.
Qiiien acedia por agujero, ve su duelo — JVho jpeeps through a
hole will discover his dole. — Span.
Ma giieabh duin' idir rud, 's e firionnach falbliaiteach.
If anijhody can get anything, it's the man that hcci)s
moving.
Ma mharblias tu beathadi Dihaoine, bidh ruith na
h-Aoin' ort am feasda.
If you hill a heast on Friday, the Friday fate vAll follow
you for ever.
Ma ni tbu piobaireaclid do Mliac-'Ille-Cbalum, ni
thu piobaireadid dliòmbsa.
If you pipe to MacLeod of Raasay, you u^ill i^ipe to me.
This is apparently a Skye saying, but its origin has not been
ascertained.
Ma ruitbeas an sionnacb 'am broilleach a' ghadbair, co
aig' 'tba 'cboire ?
If the fox rush into the hound's emhrace, who is to
Name?
Ma 's àill leat a bbi buan, gabh deoch gu luatb an
deigb an uibbe.
If you wish to lire long, drink quickly after an egg.
After an egg drink as much as after an ox. — Eny.
Ma 's beag leat e, crath sonas air.
If you deem it little, shake luck on it.
Ma 's beag mo cbas, cba mbò mo chuaran.
If small my foot, my sock is no higger.
Ma 's bonnacb brist' e, is bonnach itbt' e.
A hroken hannock is as good as eaten.
See ' Cha blii bail '.
Ma 's briag bbuam e, is briag h-ugam e.
If it he a lie from me, its a lie to me.
This is a favourite expression, when one has something to tell
which is not well vouched.
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