J. F. Campbell Collection > Collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases

218
Ts beajT orin na 'm biodh ann snith-bheannachadh a'
chreachadair.
I should dislike to hear thejlucnt hlcssinrj of the 2^1 under cr.
This is still true, even thou^'h highway robbery be no more in
fashion. Some rrrave and reverend Bank Directors have illustrated
this shockingly in modern times.
Is bean-tighe an luchag 'n a tigh fhein.
Tlie little mouse is mistress in her own house.
Is maighistreas an luchog air a thigh fèin. — Ir.
Is beò duine 'an deigh a shàrachadli, ach cha bheò e
'an deigh a nàrachadh.
A man may survive distress, hut not disgrace.
Al. an deigh a à\\s^o\]iQ— after his people — an deigh a nàire —
after his shame.
The Ulster version is identical with the latter. The senti-
ment is very Celtic and honourable, but common to all the higher
races. ' Death liefore dishonour ' has been the motto of all heroes
and martyrs of every nation.
El homlire sin honra peor es que un muerto. — Span.
Is beò duine air bheagan, ach cha hheh e gun dad idir.
One can live on little, hit not on nothing.
A good motto for Parochial Boards.
Is beò na h-eòin, ged nach seobhagan uil' iad.
The birds live, though not all haicks.
A fine quiet suggestion for statesmen and con(|uerors.
Is beò duine ged nach sàthach.
A nuin may live though not full.
This is nowhere more illustrated than in the Highlands ; what
phrenologists call ' Alimentiveness ' is at a very low tigure there.
Is bicheanta na tràithean.
The meals are frequent.
This saying must have originated with a very abstemious and
probably miserly person.
Is bigid e sid, is bigid e sid, mar a thuirt an dreathan,
an uair a thug e Ian a ghuib as a' mhuir.
'Tis the less for that, the less for that, as the ivrcn said,
when he sipped a hill-full out of the sea.
Is binn gach ian 'n a dlioire fhein.
Siveet sings each hird in his own grove.
Al. 'S binn guth an eoin far am beirear e. — Siceet is a hinVs
voice icJiere he was born.