Matheson Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

243
Is fhearr aon tigh air a nighe' na dha dhiag air an
sgiiabadh.
Better one house ivashecl than tivelve &we])t.
Is flieaiT aon tòrradh na da chonimanachadli dhiag.
One funeral is tvorth twelve covimunions.
For drink, especially — a very suggestive sajdng.
Is fliearr bàrr mòr, ach fòghnaidh bàrr beag.
A hig crop is best, hut a little crop will do.
Is fhearr beagan stòrais na moran chàirdean.
Better a little of one's ovm than many friends.
Is fhearr bean ghlic na crann us fearann.
Better is a vnse wife than a 'plough and land.
Is fhearr bo na bà ; is fhearr duine na daoine.
A cow is better than hine ; a man is better than men.
I.e., a good cow and a good man.
Is fhearr breid na toll, ach 's iiaisle toll na tuthag.
A patch is better than a hole, hut a hole is more genteel.
Is fearr paiste na poll, aclit is onoraigh poll na paiste. — Ir. w, -^
Gwelloc^h pensel evit towW.—Bretoii. w/. ■Sm>ejeP c£jfr va n;:''>*i'^
The sentiment of this is very Celtic, and the Spanish saying is
similar, 'Hidalgo honrado antes roto que remendado' — A true
gentleman ivould prefer his clothes ragged than patched.
Better a clout than a hole out.— is)i^.
Besser ein Flick als ein Loch. — Germ.
Al. Piseag air toll, 's e sin an tah-bhe ; ach piseag air piseig, 's
e sin an lùireach — Patch on hole is economy ; patch on patch is
tatters.
Patch by patch is good housewifery, but patch upon patch is
plain beggary. — Eng. Clout upon a hole is guid gentry, cloul
upon a clout is guid yeomanry, but clout upon a clouted clout is
downright beggary. — Scot.
Is fhearr buille na iomradh.
A blow is better than gossip.
The meaning is that corporal punishment is less painful than
made a subject of disagreeable remark.
Is fhearr caitheamh na meirgeadh.
Better wear than rust.
A fine saying.
Perseverance, dear my lord.
Keeps honour bright ; to have done is to hang
Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail
In monumental mockery. — Troil. and Cress., III., 3.