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

243
Is fliearr aon tigh air a nighe' na dlià dhiag air an
sguabadh.
Better one house washed titan twelve swept.
Is fhearr aon tòrradh na da cliommanachadh dliiag.
One funeral is worth twelve covimunions.
For drink, especially — a very suggestive saying.
Is fhearr bàrr mor, acli foghnaidh bàrr beag.
A big crop is best, but a little crop will do.
Is fliearr beagan stòrais na moran chàirdean.
Better a little of ones own than many friends.
Is fhearr bean ghlic na crann 'us fearann.
Better is a wise ivife 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 uaisle toll na tuthag.
A patch is better than a hole, but a hole is more genteel.
Is fearr paiste na poll, aclit is onoraigh poll na paiste. — Ir.
Gwelloc'h pensel evit toull. — Breton.
The sentiment of this is very Celtic, and the Spanish saying is
similar, 'Hidalgo honrado antes roto que remendado' — A true
gentleman would prefer his clothes ragged than patched.
Better a clout than a hole out. — Eng.
Besser ein Flick als ein Loch. — Germ.
Al. Piseag air toll, 's e sin an tairbhe ; ach plseig air piscig, '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, clout
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
being made a saVjject of disagreeable remark.
Is fhearr caithearnh na nieirgeadh.
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.