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

387
Is e farmad a ni treabliadli, 's e cùmhstri a ni buain.
emulation ploughs and rivalry reaps.
Is fhada bliios duine triall, far nacli miann leis a dhol.
A man goes slowly where lie doesn't wish.
Is fhada Diiineideann bho 'n fhear 'tha 'g eirigli 's a' Stòir.
Edinburgh is far from the man who rises at Steer.
Stoer is a parish in the west of Sutherland.
Is fhearr an cumadair na 'n cronadair.
The maker is tetter than the critic.
Is fhearr aon sine bheò na da bhoin mharbh.
One living teat is better than tivo dead cows.
A I. na da làmhaig— ^/tan. two axes. The axe was the weapon with
which the cow was killed.
Is ioniadh ' thuirt ' 'us ' thairt ' a bhios 'an tigh an tuathanaich.
Many are the ' on dits ' in the cottage.
Is luaithe aon chù a' ruith na dhà dhiag 'g a
One dog fleeing is swifter than tivelve pursuing.
Is luaithe cù na 'chuideachd.
A dog goes before his company.
Al. Cuiridh cù e fhèin air thoiseach.
Said of forward ill-mannered persons.
Is mairg a threigeadh an tuath, 's nacli buannaicheadh an tigli-
earnas.
Woe to him that would forsake the tenantry, ivithout winning the
laird.
Is math Breinein an deigh na cloinne sèimh.
The bad boy is good when the gentle ones go.
When the good children die, the worst child becomes more valued.
Is math cobhair nam bioran le 'cheile.
The union of sticks is heljiful.
This is the old Roman parable.
Is math na fir, ach na chi iad.
The men are good, but for luhat they see.
This is a feminine saying, meaning that men who stick at home and
pry too much into domestic matters, are out of place.
Is math na h-eòin far an gintear iad.
The birds are good in their native place.
A very Highland sentiment, deeply felt even in St. Kilda.
Is olc am bathar nach mol an ceannaiche.
It is bad ware which the merchant praises not.
Is olc am mèirleach a dh' itheas 's a dh' innseas.
He's a sorry thief who eats and tells.
Is olc an t-òlach nach gabh 's nach toir.
He's a bad fellow that ivon't take or give.
Is teann learn inneir an eich air an arbhar.
I think the horse's dung too near the corn.
Said to aggressive or presuming people.