Matheson Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

214
Is ann an sin a thathas 'g a cliaitheamh, eaclar an
t-srathair 's am plàta.
So is it worn, 'twixt the pack-saddle and the straw-cloth.
Said of 23eople assuming airs beyond their position.
Is ann an uair a's gainn' am biadh a's coir a roinn.
^Tis when food is scarcest it should be divided.
Is ann as a' bheagan a thig am moran.
From the little comes the much.
Many littles mak a muckle. — Scot.
The proverbe saith that many a smale makith a grete. — Chaucer.
Is ann bòidheach 's cha 'n ann dàicheil.
Bonnie rather than graceftd.
Is ann da fhein a dh' innsear e.
Ifs to himself it vjill be told.
It's his own afi'air.
Is ann da latha roimh 'bhàs, 'bu choir do dliuine
shàr-fhacal a rùdh. "^
Till two days before he die, man should not speak his
vjeightiest xvord.
There is mnch wisdom in this saying.
Is ann de'n aon chlòth an cathdath.
The tartan is all of one stuff.
Cath-dath = battle-colour. — Armstrong.
Is ann de'n cheaird a' chungaidh.
The tools are part of the trade.
Al. Is i 'cheaird.
'S i leith na ceirde an ùirleis— T/ie tools are half the trade. — Ir.
Is ann de'n tuaigh an t-shamhach.
The haft belongs to the axe.
See ' Cuir an tuagh '.
rf • \jai(^ ) J^s ann le làimh ghlain Iju choir altachadh.
{^il*«*^ / Q^g should sahde (or say grace) luith a clean hand.
See Psalm xxiv. 3, 4.
Is ann feasgar a dh' aithnichear na fir.
It's at evening the men are known.
Is ann fhad 's a bhios an t-slat maoth is fliasa 'lùbadh.
Wheìi the tivig is tender it is easiest bent.
Am meangan nach sniomh thu,
Cha siHon tliu 'n a chruoibli e. — Dug. Buchanan.