Matheson Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

253
Is fliusa tearnadh na direadh.
It's easier to go down than to climh.
Haws dringo na disgyn — Easier to climb than to descend. — Welsh
The Gaelic saying is true Loth literally and metaphorically.
The Welsh saying is true only of climbing in very steep or rocky
places. y) r\ / \
Is fiach air duine na gheallas e. j^ex* ^Ofaei-^U J
A man's 2Jromise is a debt.
Dyled ar pob ei addaw. — Welsh.
See 'Am fear a gheallas'.
Is fiamhach an t-sùil a lotar.
TJie hurt eye is tiviorous.
Is follaiseacli fuil air cù ban.
Blood is noticeable on a white dog.
Is fuar an coimpir' an fhòid.
The turf is a cold companion.
There is some pathos in this ; and yet the saying may have
been invented by a bereaved person, on the look out for a new
companion.
Is fuar an innis an earn.
The cairn is a cold shelter.
Is fuar an goile nach teòdh deoch.
It's a cold stomach that drink won't warm.
It's a cauld stamach that naething hets on. — Scot. ■ -r- / \
Is fuar comunn an ath-chleamhnais. C<ru^>u^ ( Olf^CiU^ J
Cold is the society of a secoiid affinity.
Macintosh's translation gives the meaning, which is not obvious
— ' Cold is the connection with a first alliance, when a second is
Is fuar don'-chleamhnas. ^^^^ - dka^^X*^^ (^clfAc^ J
Cold is ill-sorted affinity. ^ ÌuOA Sn^ CiUia^^J^^^ [/msj
Is fuar gaoth nan coimheach.
Cold is the vnnd that brings strangers.
Possibly applied first to the wind that brought Norsemen,
afterwards to the coming of Southrons.
Is fuar leaba gun choimh-leapach.
Cold is the bed toithout bedfellow.
Is gann a' gliaoth nach seòladh tu.
Light ^vould the breeze be that yo%i cotddn't sail in.
Al. Is fann a ghaoth ris nach, &c.
Applied to trimmers and time-servers.