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

290
Is trie a bha bean saoir gun cliuigeil, 's bean griasaiclie
gun bhròig.
A car^jcnter's wife has often wanted a distaff, and a
shoemakers wife shoes.
Is trio a bha l:)reagh air an fhèHÌ, mosach'n a thigh fhdin.
Fine at the fair may he mean at the fireside.
Is trie a bha claidheamh fada 'an làimh gealtair'.
A long sword has often been in a coward's hand.
Is trie a bha dichioll air dheireadh.
Diligence has often been behind.
And luck in front.
Per con. Cha bhi dichioll air dheireadh.
Is trie a bha fortan air luid, 's a fhuair trusdar bean.
Slatterns have often had luck, and dirty fellows got wives.
See 'Gheabh foighidinn'.
Is trie a bha gaoid 'an ubhal bòidheach.
Often has flaw been in a fair apple.
Is trie a bha mor mi-sheadhail.
The big is often stupid.
Giants are always so represented in the old stories.
Is trie a bha 'n galar a bh' air Aodh air an fhear a
bha ri 'thaobh.
Hugh's neighhour has often had the same disease as he.
This is true both physically and morally.
Is trie a bha na h-aimhnichean a' dèabhadh, 'us na
h-uillt a' ruith.
The rivers are often dry, while the brooks are running.
Before a flood.
Is trie a bha na loingis mhor a' erionadh, 's na h-amair-
mhùin a' seòladh.
Often have large ships been rotting, vjhile the little pots
are floating.
A I. Na loingis mhor a' dol fo 'u chuan, 's na h-amair-fhuail a'
seòladh.
Is trie a bha slioehd na seilge air seaehran.
2'Iie hunting tribe has often been at fault.
Is trie a bha slaodaire beairteaeh, 'us caonnag air duine
tapaidh.
Many a lout is localthy, and clever man hard put-to.