Matheson Collection > Gaelic proverbs and proverbial sayings, with English translations

CIvANS AND CI.ANSHIP.
50MK of these sayings were evidently
first said about themselves by members
of the Clans concerned, which leaves
what truth there may be in them at a heavy
discount ; there are other sayings as evidently
coined by one Clan in dispraise of another, and
the amount of truth in these may be discounted
in equal measure. Readers must judge for
themselves as to which Clan was best at blowing
its own horn. The time when such sayings
were in use is now so far off that we can quote
many of them with a smile.
There is one satisfaction about them, and it is
this — ^that where dispraise is most intended,
abuse or coarseness of expression are conspicuous
by their absence. lyct the sayings then speak
for themselves.
612 An t-uasal an I^eathaineach,
'San ceathaimeach an Raonalach.
The gentleman of the Clan MacLean,
The warrior of the Clan Ranald.
613 An cinneadh mòr, 's am pòr mì-shealbhach.
The great race, and the unfortunate progeny ^
Said of the Macl^eans by themselves.
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