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<h1>
Full text of "<a href="/details/collectionofgael00maci">A collection of
Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases : based on Macintosh's collection</a>"
</h1>
<h2 class="pull-right">
<small><a href="/details/collectionofgael00maci">See other formats</a></
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<pre>^'^mm^m m
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\^\
GAELIC PEOVEEBS.
A COLLECTION
GAELIC PEOVERBS
FAMILIAR PHEASES.
EASED ON
MACINTOSH'S COLLECTION.
EDITED BY
ALEXANDEE XICOLSOX, M.A, LL.D.
EDIXBUEGH:
MACLACHLAN AND STEWAET.
LOXDOX: SIMPIvIX, MARSHALL, & CO.
188 2.
30
PREFACE.
any such.
2 Published for the Edinburgh National Bible Society, 1880.
and fare, spelled ceard and fearr. For the same reason
the accent is omitted over fhein, when preceded by the
first personal or possessive pronoun. It is a singular
peculiarity of speech, in a part of the North Western
Highlands and most of the Islands, that they say ayliain (e-fhein), himself, but mce-hcen (mi-fliein), myself
This curious variety may not be defensible, but the fact
has been taken into consideration.
In many cases the vowel in a word is sounded long
or short, according to the apposition of the word, and,
as in Greek, the presence or absence of the accent should
mark this, e.g., Feill, where the e is long, Feill-Brighde
The value of Proverbs, as condensed lessons of wisdom, ' abridgements of knowledge,' as Mr. Disraeli calls
them, has been recognised by the wisest of men, from
Solomon to Aristotle, from Aristotle to Bacon, from
Bacon to Benjamin Franklin. The interest attaching to
them as an index of the character of a nation is equally
great. They are an unintentional, and all the more
truthful, revelation of a people's peculiarities, habits
and ideas. In both these respects the proverbs embraced in this collection are entitled to a high place
in the unwritten Philosophy of nations. Some of
them are common to various countries ; others of them
are borrowed, gaining oftener than losing in their new
form. But a large proportion of them is of native
growth, as certainly as is the heather on Ben Xevis, or
the lichen on Cape Wrath ; and as a reflex of the ways
of thinking and feeling, the life and manners, the
wisdom or superstition, the wit or nonsense of the
Celtic race in Scotland, they are mteresting alike to the
historian, the philologist, and the student of human
nature.
In speaking of them as a representation of the sentiments of a nation or people, it must be borne in mind
that, though the Gaelic-speaking population of Scotland
is now but a small part of the whole, their mothertongue was up to the time of Malcolm III. (10571093) the vernacular speech of the greater part of the
people of North Britain, not excepting their native king,
Prov. of all Nations, 1859; Burckhardfs Arabic Proverbs, 1830;
Negris' Mod. Greek Prov., 1831 ; Disraeli's Philos. of Prov., in Cur.
of Eng. Lit. ; Trench on Proverbs, 3rd ed., 1854.
day than the beginning. Two days alike ill God to poor men doth
not will.
The certainty that evil has its reward is distinctly
taught in these proverbs :
Do evil and wait the end. There is no hiding of evil hut not to
do it. Wrong cannot rest, nor ill deed stand. Tlwugh there he
delay, the evil-doer is not forgotten. As a man makes his bed, so
must he lie. WTiat's got at the Devil's head will be lost at his tail.
Repentance wonH cure mischief. Death-bed repentance is sowing
seed at Martinmas.
With nnich natural reverence for religion, our Celts
have combined a wholesome spirit of inquiry and a
freedom of criticism on the ministers of religion :
God has not said all thou hast said. It is not the priesfs first
story that should be believed. It is his own child the priest baptizes
first. The j^riest drank only what he had. The justice of the clergy
to each other. The friendship of the clergy, scraping and scratching
one another. Hard as is the factor'' s rule, no better is the minister's.
IVs a fine day when the fox preaches.
There is no Gaelic proverb making any worse reflection on the clerical character than the above. The
proverbs of Italy and France specially abound in
insinuations against priests and women. In both
respects, the Gaelic ones form a contrast to them, which
testifies equally to the character of the people, their
priests, and their women.
The Gaelic idea of the Devil is very different from
Milton's. One of the commonest terms for that personage is Mitisccm, literally, the mean rascal.
Morals General.
Avoid the evil, and it will avoid thee. Love the good, and forgive
the bad. Do good against the ill. Every creature but man can bear
XXIV
well-being. He gets no ease who suffers not. Better wear than rust.
A bad man makes his own fate. Pity him who makes a bad
habit. Do what becomes you, and you'll see what pleases you.
Going to ruin is silent work. Better the long clean road than the
short dirty road. He thinks no evil who means no evil. Better the
little bannock with a blessing than the big one with a curse. Good
is not got without grief, A good name is sooner lost than won. It's
easier to go down than to climb. One should salute with a clean
hand. Good comes from sadness, and happiness from quietness.
Self-respect and Sense of Honour.
As thou valuest thyself, others will esteem thee. He who lies in the
mud will rise dirty. Pity him whose birthright is to eat dirt. A
man's will is his kingdom. A man is king in his own house. Dead
is the dependent. The dependent is timid. When a man goes
down, his own back is his support. A king's son is no nobler
than his company. Were the wealth of the woiid yours, weigh it
not against your shame. A man may survive distress, but not disgrace. A man will die to save his honour. Honour is a tender
thing. Honour can't bear patching. Honour is nobler than gold.
Remember those you came from. Follow close the fame of your
fathers. (This is Ossianic Fingal to Oscar.)
Truth, Justice, Fidelity.
Truth is pleasing to God. Truth is better than gold. Better be
poor than a liar. TVhose word is no vjord, his luck is no luck.
Woe to him that fears not to lie. Blister on the lying tongue,
padlock on the hemless mouth ! A lie has hit one leg. A lie needs a
prop. A lie can't last long. None lied that loould not steal. The
lying mouth will be shut.
Counsel of the bell of Scone, touch not ivhat is not thine oum. Ill
for him whose goods are another man's. The reaver's goods are ill to
keep. The thief is brother to the hound. A mouthful of meat and a
townful of shame. He that hides the thief is worse. Put not your
sickle without leave into another's com. Don't put your spoon into
kail that's not yours. TJie wrongful should not be litigious. Don't
lend the loan. The loan should be sent laughing home.
He that promises must pay. A promise is a debt. Willing
pays no debt. There is no greater fraud than promise unfulfilled.
Temperance.
A man may live though not full. One may live on little, though
not on nothing. Tighten your belt till you get food. Eat less and
buy it. Only dogs eat to surfeit. Hunger is a good cook. Hungry
birds fight best. Big belly was never bountiful. A sioeet mouth ivill
send you to beggary. Take your thirst to the stream, as the dog
does. I like not the drinking fellowship. The uneasy seat in the alehouse is best. Leave the fag-end of a fair.
Industry, Punctuality, Promptness, Early rising.
Better knot straws than do nothing. Will is a good worker.
Better try than hope. Long sleeping makes 'hot rowing. Lazy is the
hand that ploughs not. Who won't plough when it is cold shall not
reap when it is hot. He who neither works nor pushes, ^oon't get food
among the bushes. The diligent weak will beat the lazy strong. The
silly body builds the dyke when the corn is eaten. Take the good
day early. Get bait while the tide is out. Dry shoes won't get fish.
The sea icon't wait for a load. Keep the fair on its day. You
can't to-day recall yesterday. Tim.e won't wait, nor tide show mercy.
The late watcher never overtook the early riser. Lively is the early
riser. He that lies long in bed, will be all day hard bestead. Give
your ' thank you ' to the cock.
Courtesy, Hospitality. Highland courtesy and
hospitality are so well known that a very few out of
many sayings will suffice under these heads.
He that is courteous will be courteous to all. The goodman's
advice ought to be taken. Forwardness spoils manners. A dog goes
hefore his comjany. Courtesy never broke mail's crown. The rude
jester is brother to the fool.
He's a bad guest whom the house is the worse of. House with
closed door can't be kept. Happy is that which is shared pity him
who fares alone. A thing is the bigger of being shared. The scarcer
the food, the more bounty to share it. Welcome the coming, speed the
parting guest. A feast is nothing without its conversation. The
first story from the host, and tales till morning from the guest.
Benevolence.
Sense hides shame. Love hides ugliness. Woe to him who won't
maintain his own poor one. Woe to him who vexes the weak. None
ever did violence but suffered violence. Woe to him who would wish
a ruined home to any one.
Patience.
Better weary foot than weary spirit. The day is longer than the
brae, we'll be at the top yet. Patience overcomes trouble. Patience
never hurt a man. Patience wins victory. Patience wears out stones.
Humility.
The heaviest ear of corn bends its head lowest. Sit lovdy, and pay
nobly.
Silence, Caution, Words and Deeds, Appearances.
It's a big ivord that the mouth can't hold. A tvord is big when
it's lessened. It's good manners to be silent. Choose thy speech. Say
little and say well. It's well that the teeth are before the tongue.
Shut mouth incurs no debt. If you tell all you see, you'll tell lohat
will shame you. If you hear a hueless tale, don't repeat it. Believe
not the bad report till proved. A man's smile is not his own. Not
words prove, but deeds. The worst cow lows loudest. Puffing won't
m.ake piping. Fulsome talk won't make kelp. The nodding of heads
doesn't row the boat. A rotten stick is often nice to look at. The
Devil is often attractive. A rich heart may be mider a poor coat.
Good sword has often been in poor scabbard.
Fools.
It's difficult to give sense to a fool. IViw won't take advice is
worthless, v)lio takes every advice is so. Ifs bad flesh thu^ ,.'<on't take
salt, worse is tlie body that won't take warning. As crooked as the
fool' s furrow.
Boors.
The clown is knoiim at morning he breaks his shoe-tie. If you
hit a dog or a cloion, hit him vxll. Give the impudent fellow an
iiich and he'll take an ell. He that is rude thinks his rudeness good
manners. Don't provoke a barbarian.
Women, Marriage. I don't know any other Proverbs that speak of women so respectfully as the
Gaelic ones do. They are not wanting in humour,
but they never regard women as inferior creatures and
mere causes of mischief, which is the point of view of
the Proverbs of several great nations.
Meal is finer than grain, women are finer than men. There icas
never good or ill, but women had to do with. Modesty is the beauty
of women. I like not pullets becoming cocks. Take no woman for
a wife in whom you cannot find a flaw. Choose your wife as you
wish your children to be. Take a bird from a clean nest. Choose the
good mother's daughter, were the Devil her father. If you take a wife
from Hell, she'll bring you home there. When you see a wellbred woman, catch her, catch her ; if you don't do it, another will
match her. Their own will to all men, all their will to women.
TFliat a woman knows not she'll conceal. Harsh is the praise that
cannot be listened to ; dark are the dames that cannot be dallied with.
Wiiere a cow is, a woman will be, where a woman is, temptation
will be (This is attributed to St. Columba). A man's wife is his
blessing or bane. If you wish to be praised, die; if you wish to
be decried, marry. You are too merry, you ought to marry. JFiio
speaks ill of his wife dishonours himself. True or false, it will injure
a woman. Warm is the mother's breath.
Children.
Pity those who have them, pity more those who havenH. Better
no children than luckless children. The crow likes her greedy blue
chick. A house without dog or cat or child, a house without mirth
or smile. The motherless child has m^ny faults.
Education.
Better he unborn than untaught. When the tivig is tender, it is
easiest bent. The child you teach not at your knee, you won't teach at
your ear (i.e., when grown up). The early learning is the pretty
learning. A child is known by his manners. The child that's left
to himself will put his mother to shame. Ignorance is a heavy
burden. Blind is the ignorant. He that knows is strong.
Kindred, Fosterhood, Clannishness.
Blood is hotter than water. Blood is stronger than breeding.
Blood will withstand the rocks. Flesh will warm to kin against
a man's will. All the water in the sea won't wash out our
kindred. Bare is shoulder without brother, bare hearth without sister. Pity him who turns his back on his people. Trews
like to be among clothes, I like to be among my people. Throw
reproach on your kinsman, it loill rest on your family. The Clans
of the Gael shoulder to shoulder ! Dear is a kinsman, but the pith of
the heart is a foster-brother. Pity him xoho has few foster-friends.
Friendship.
Friendship is as it's kept. Friends are lost by calling often, and
hj calling seldom. It's poor friendship that needs to be constantly bought. Tivo crossing the ford are best near each other.
A friend's eye is a good looking-glass. Better coldness of a friend
than warmth of an enemy. A silly friend is more troublesome than
a wise enemy. A friend can't be helped without trouble. He is not
m,y friend that hurts me. Pity him who has weak friends. Don' t
say you know a man till you divide a spoil with him.
Landlord and Tenant. Some of these sayings are
remarkable, and worthy of attention, all the more, that
the people whose thoughts they express are naturally
contented, quiet, tractable, averse to innovation, agitation, or violence.
Tenantry are stronger than laird. (In its original sense this
would be, Tribe is stronger than Chief. See Skene's Celtic
Scotland, Vol. Ill, chap. iv. and vi.) A farmer on his feet is
taller than a gentleman on his knees. Woe to him that for-
sokes the tenantry vntliout winning the laird. An alder lord ivill
twist an oak tenant. Ill for them that have a weak lord. He that
quarrels with the gentry is a miserable man. It's easy to put him out
whose own the house is not. Slifpery is the flagstone at the great house
door. The yield of the land is according to the laird. But for fear
of double rent, Tiree would yield a double crop. It's little we complain,
though we suffer much. One teat of a cow is better than a quarter
of oats. Tenant after tenant makes the lands dear. The sheep's jaw
will put the plough on the shelf. Where there are no boys in arms,
there will be no armed men.
Husbandry Food. There are a great many sayings
under these heads. They belong to a time when the
cultivation of the soil, though of a rude and primitive
kind, supplied the chief source of living to the population, and was done with ploughs and not with spades,
when the great majority of the peasantry had horses,
cows, and sheep, of their own. Their food consisted
chiefly of oatmeal cakes, porridge, and gruel, butter and
cheese, occasionally fish, very rarely meat. One Gaelic
word peculiarly indicates the dependence of the Gael
on the soil ' Teachd-an-tir,' the yield of the land, the
most common term for living, sustenance. Scarcity of
food, sometimes dearth, was not confined to the Highlands two centuries ago, but it was naturally more
common in the remoter and least cultivated parts.
One of the sayings very exactly expresses the Highland
character in reference to food. A man can live on little,
hut not on nothing. Moderation in meat and drink
has always been a Highland characteristic. The use of
whisky is comparatively modern. Among the sayings
here collected it is only once mentioned by name, while
references to ale and wine are numerous.
Hltmoeous Sayings. The notion of most Sassenachs anent ' Scotch Wut ' is derived at secondhand from our dear Elia and Sydney Smith, both of
whom, though exquisitely clever and delightful, were
quite fallible men. Any one who thinks the Scottish
people inferior in humour to the English had better
contrast the Proverbs of the one nation with those of
the other. At the risk of being considered partial or
parochial, the present editor has no hesitation in saying,
that the Sassenach is incarnate prose compared with the
Scot, that the Northern sayings greatly surpass the
Southern in humour, felicity, and love of artistic form.
He cannot claim for the Scottish Celts a greater sense
of humour than is found among the Lowlanders, but he
does claim for them a very delicate edge, with a cut
not less severe. As for their being a melancholy
people, there could be nothing more absurd imagined.
One can be thoughtful, even pensive, and yet very fond
of fun, in loco. Irony and satire, more than humour
strictly so called, are characteristic of the Scottish Gael.
Here follow some specimens :
Twenty-one captains over twenty soldiers. The birds live, though
not all hawks. IVs the bigger of that, as the wren said, when it dropped
something in the sea. Big egg never came from, wren. ' Where art
thou, wren ' said the eagle: 'Far above thee,' said the wren (on the
eagle's back). Howling is natural to dogs. He's a fine man
if you don't ask of him. The wren spreads his feet ivide in his own
house. The highway is wide, and may be trod. Better a lobster than
no husband. Better peace with a hen than strife. You ivould be a
good messenger to send for death. The longest lay will end at last.
The old imman is the better of being icarmed, bid not of being burned.
It would be thick water that would wash his face. Bold is the puppy in
the lap of strength. He sat very awry when he did that. You were
born far from the house of good manners. You were not in
(1829-31), Tcachdaire Ur Gaidhealach (1835-36) Cuairtear 7ian Gleann (1840-43), and Fear-tathaich nam Beann
(1848), four Gaelic Periodicals, the best coutributions to
which were made by Dr. Norman Mac Leod, to whose
memory this book is dedicated. He was the Editor, the
life and soul, of the Tcachdaire and the Cuairtear. Of
all men that ever wrote Gaelic prose, he wrote the best
and raciest, the language, not of mere propriety and
elegance, but of natural genius, equally incomparable
in moving laughter or tears. His Gaelic Dialogues,
' Comhradh nan Cnoc,' and his answers to correspondents, are spiced with proverbial phrases and allusions,
of which no one else could make such happy, sometimes such crushing use. His command of them seemed
inexhaustible ; his quiver never was emptied, and his
arrows never missed.
One other friend I must mention, who has given me
neither proverbs nor explanations, but whose assistance,
in the shape of stimulus and example, has been
quite unique Professor Blackie. His appreciation of
Gaelic proverbs is as great and natural as his love of
ACCENTS.
(1) As the use of accents in this book differs a little from that
found in the Gaelic Bible and Dictionaries, the following explanations seem necessary
A. The grave accent over this vowel indicates (1) the sound
of the English words /ar, call ; e.g., bus, clr ; or (2) a
diphthong (an) not recognized in English (except in the
pronunciation sometimes heard of such words as Goiv,
as if it were Gauio,) nor in any Gaelic Grammar ;
e.g., cam.
The acute accent over A distinguishes the preposition a, ' out
of,' from , pronoun, &c.
E. The acute accent over E marks the sound of rein, tale ;
e.-n,., fein, sgeul.
The grave accent over E marks the sound of maid, save ; e.g.,
mud, simh.
1. The grave accent alone is used over I, and marks the sound
of tear, mere ; e.g., tlr, mlr,
O. The acute accent over O marks (1) the sound of bold, mould ;
e.g., bo, m6r.
(2) As in the case of the diphthongal A, this accent is also
used to mark a somewhat similar combination of and U, in
such words as lOm, dOnn. The vowel in these words is pronounced
in some parts of the Highlands the .same as in bo, bold, in other
parts, with a diphthongal sound, the same as in dmvn. The names
of Iain Lorn and Rob Donn are pronounced in Skye as if written
Lowm and Down.
(3) The grave accent over marks the sound of more, door,
e.g., g, srn. According to all the Dictionaries and the Gaelic
Bible, the words bo and mor, so far as acccents indicate pronunciation, are sounded the same as g and srn. That is certainly
not the general pronunciation of Inverness-shire and the Hebrides.
U. The grave accent alone is used over U, and marks the sound
of cure, poor, e.g., cirr, sil.
GAELIC PROVERBS
AND PHRASES.
A.
A' bheairt sin nach fliaighear acli cearr, 's e foigliidmn
a's fhearr a cllieanainh ritlie.
The loom, tliat's awry is best handled patiently.
The word 'beairt' has various meanings, but in its primary use
seems to have been equivalent to the word ' loom,' whicli meant
other tools or engines, as well as weaving looms. In the above
proverb, however, the weaAng loom seems to have been in view,
and the meaning to be, that if it be found to be out of gear, it is
better to handle it patiently than to try to put it right, at the risk
of breaking the threads. ' What can't be cured must be endured '
expresses nearly the same idea, but not exactly.
A' bheinu a 's irde tha 's au tir, 's ann oirre 's trice
'chl tliu 'n ceo.
Tiie highest hill is oftenest covered toith clonds.
So is it mth those who tower above the common level of
mankind.
A' bheist a 's mo ag itlie' na beist' a 's luglia,'s a' blieist
a 's lugha 'deauamh mar a dh'fhaodas i.
The higgcr beast eating the lesser one, and the lesser
one doing as it may.
It is interesting to find Modem Science anticipated in an old
Gaelic story. This graphic expression of a great physical and
moral truth occurs in a description of ocean life, common to
several of those West Highland Tales, on the collection and editing of which ilr. J. F. Campbell has bestowed so much generous
care. See Vol. II., pp. 201, 210.
A bbi gu dna modhail, sin lagh na cirte.
To he bold and courteous is the conri rule.
This is a good description of the manner best suited for securing attention in. courts of all kinds.
1
A' bh a 's mios' a th' anns a' bhuaile, 's i 's cruaidhe
geum.
The worst coiv in the fold lows the loudest.
Al. A' bho a 's luf:;lia feum, 's i 's mo geum.
See also 'Cha 'n i 'bh', and ' Geum mor ',
A' buain nan irneagan searbha, 's a saltairt air na
cirean-meala.
A cbuid de Phras da !
His share of Paradise to him !
Al. ' de Fhlaitheanas,' of Heaven. The wordF., still in common use as the Gaelic for Heaven, has been interpreted by good
autliorities (Armstrong, Highl. Soc. Did., &c.) as Flath-innis,
the Isle of Heroes, an etymology which is both j^oetical and probable. A simpler and more scientific etymology (Ebel's Celt. Stud.,
p. 116) makes it Flaithemnas, or Flaitheamhnas, sovereignty,
dignity, glory. In Bedell's Irish Bible, ' Flaitheamhnas',' and
' Flaitheasa ' are used in the Old Test, to denote Heaven and
Heavens ; but ' Neamli ' and ' Neamhdha ' more commonly. In
the New Test. ' Neamh ' only is used for the singular. In our
Gaelic Bible the latter alone is used ia both sing, and plur.
A' chuid nach gabli na leanaban gabbaidh an t-seanbbean fbeiu.
Wliat the children won't take the old ivoman ivill.
A' cbil a bbios fosgailte tbid na coin innte.
The dogs vnll go into the corner that's opeii.
A' cbuirni a's luaitbe 'bbios ullamb, suidbeamaid uile
g'a gabbail
The feast that's soonest ready let us ail sit down to.
A' diuiseag ruadb a db' fbsas 's an traicb, 's i 's ii'de
'tbogas a ceann.
The red vjced from the dunghill lifts its head the highest.
The proudest nettle grows on a midden. Scot.
A cbiir a ruitb na cubbaig.
Sending him to chase the cuckoo.
Literally a ' gowk's errand '.
A' cromadb air na beaga.
Stooping to the little.
A' cimntas sblat gun aodacb.
Counting yards without cloth.
A! cur a' bbodaicb as a tbigh fbein.
Putting the old man out of his own house.
A' cur an eicb 's e 'n a fbaUns.
Urging on the sweating horse.
A' cur na sntbaid air a' cboltar.
Putting the needle on the coulter.
Air fliad 's ge'n teid thu 'mach, na toir droch sgeul
dliachaidh ort fhuin.
However far you go abroad, bring Jiome no ill tale of
yourself
Air ghaol an leinibh, pgar a' bhanaltnim.
The nurse is kissed for the saJce of the child.
' Kissing the child for the sake of the nurse ' is the more common English phrase, but there is a German saying identical with
the above.
Air glilainead an tobair, bidh salachar ann.
Be the fountain e'er so clean, some dirt in itivill be seen.
Air uihud 's a their na sligh, cha glilir a dhearblias
acli gniomh.
For all the world can say, not words but deeds are
proof
Al. Bial a labhras, ach gniomh a dhearbhas.
Gwell es eim oberer evit kant lavarer. Breton.
I fatti son maschi, le parole femmine. Ital.
Obras son amores, que no buenas razones. Sioan.
Worte sind gut, wenn Werke folgen. Germ.
Air mliud 's ge 'm faigh thu gu math, 's lughaid
a gheabh thu gu h-olc.
The more you find of good, the less you'll get of ill.
Air son mo chuid-sa de 'n ghrn, leigidh mi 'n th
'n a teine.
For my share of the grain, the kiln may go on fire.
For my peck of malt, set the kiln on fire. Cheshire, &c.
Aireamh na h-Aoine air caoraich a bhail' ud thall !
Friday s numbering on the neighbouring sheep !
' Aireamh na h- Aoin' ort ! ' is simply another form of ' Bad
luck to you !' On the supposed unluckiness of Friday, see
App. I.
Aisigidh leannanachd an tochradh.
Sioeethearting brings the tocher.
Aisling caillich mar a drachd.
An old wife's dream as her desire.
"O TL iix^p f] ypija 's Tov vovv ttjs, 7-o/3Xe7re s to oveipov ttjs.
Mod. Qr.
8
Aiteamh na gaoithe tuath, sueachd 'us reodhadh anns
an uair.
After thaw with northern blast, snow and frost follow fast.
Aithne an Lecklbasaich mhoir air an Leodliasach
eile.
The big Levns man's recognition of the other Lewis
man.
The big man is supposed to say, ' Tha aitlme gun chuimlin'
agam ort/ I recognise, but don't remember you.
Aithneachadh bo badhail, no filt a' chruidh.
The wandering cow's vjelcome, or the kine's salute.
Macintosh's explanation of this saying is, that when a strange
beast joins a herd the rest attack it. An ingenious commentator
suggests as the proper reading, ' Aithuichidh bo a badhail,' A
cow knows her own stall, which makes good sense. But the noun
' badhail ' is Irish ; ' buabhail ' is our word for stall.
Aitbnichear air a' bheagan ciamar a bbiodh am moran.
From tJie little may be seen what the big might have
been.
Aithnicbear am balach 's a'mbaduinn bristidb e
barrall a bbroige.
The clown is known at morning he breaks his shoe-tie.
This is a curious illustration of the general amenity of manners characteristic of the Celts. The 'balach' is a combination of
'bully' and 'snob,' and it is meant that he is so rude and impatient
that he can't even tie his shoe without showing his roughness.
Curiously enough, a word expressing much the same thing
in modern Greek is ^Xaxos.
Aitbnicbear an leomhan air sgriob de 'ionga.
TJie lion is known by a scratch of his date.
Ex ungue leonem. Lat. P. Dall' unghia si conosce il
leone. Ital. A I'ongle on connait le lion. Fr.
Aitlmichear fear doimeig air fire.
The slatterns husband can be knoion afar.
The Ulster version is, ' Aithnighear fear na cuarige air
fithche a measg chich'. A South Uist saying is, 'Is lualh fear na
droch mhna air a' mhachair Uibliistich ' iSwift goes the bad
wife's husband on the Uist plain.
10
Am brgach beag 's an cuaranacli m6rc
The hoy with shoes, the man with socks.
Brought up to wear shoes, and reduced when grown to wearing the ' cuiiran,' (Welsh, ' cwaran ') a kind of sock, made of un-
tanned leather the ancient foot-gear, which every man made for
himself.
Am bronnach Geamhraidh, 's an seang Earraich.
Squabhy in W7iter, and skinny in Spring.
The reference is to young cattle.
Am fac thu rud 's a chl rint ?
Saw you aright tvith its back to you ?
This was reckoned a bad omen. See ' Chuala mi 'chubhag '.
Am facal a thig a Ifrinn 's e gheabh, ma 's e 's mo
'bheir.
TJie word that comes from Hell, ivill get if it hid vjell.
The howlet was screamin', while Johnnie cried, ' Women
Wad marrv auld Nick, if he'd keep them aye braw ! '
H. M'Neill.
Am fear a bhios a bharra-mhanadh a mach, suidliidh e air fail chorraicb.
He vjhose destiny is cast sits on a sharp cope.
There is something very awful in this saying, reminding of
that of the Psalmist, ' Their foot shall slide in due time '. The
belief in Fate, expressed by such words as dan, manadh, sona,
&c., was as strong in the Celts, as many of these proverbs show,
as in any ancient Greek, or modern Islamite.
The word/cU is found in the Scottish ' fail dyke 'Am fear a bbios a' riaTachadh na maraig' bidh an
ceann reamhar aige f hein.
The ma.n that divides the pudding will have the thick
end to himself
Puddings, in the sense familiar to John Bull, were not known
to the hai'dy Celts. But several kinds of pudding, more akin
to the sausage, in which oatmeal and suet, blood, and various
other savoury ingredients, formed the chief elements, were, and
still are, well known, both in the Highlands and Lowlands of
Scotland. To such dainties reference is made in the well-known
song, ' The barrin' o' the door'
' An' first they ate the white puddin's,
An' then they ate the black.'
11
Am fear a bliios air deireadh bidli na coin comaidh ris.
iiair-eigm.
He that waits long at the ferry icill get over some
time.
Tout vient point, qui sait attendre. Fr.
Chi aspettar puote, ha ci che vuole. Ital.
Am fear a bhios fearg air a ghn 's coltach a ghn ris
an dris.
He who is always angry is of nature like the hramhle.
12
Am fear a bhio& fada gun eirigh bidh e 'n a leum
fad an latha.
He who Iks long in heel will he all clay hard hestead.
Uomo lento non ha mai tempo. Ital.
Am fear a bliios gun eacli gun eathar, 's eudar dha
coiseaclid.
He who Jms neither horse nor hoat must go on foot.
Am fear a bhios gun mhodh, saoilidh e gur modh am
mi-mliodh.
He that is rude thinks his rudeness good manners.
Am fear a bliios modhail, bidh e modhail ris a' li-uile
duine.
He that is courteous ivill he courteous to all.
This shows a knowledge of true courtesy, and of the highest
breeding.
Am fear a bhios 'n a thrah cuiridh e 'n cat 's an teine.
The idle man will put the cat in the fire.
Am fear a bhios 's an fhithe, cuiiidh a' h-uile fear a
chas air.
Every foot will tread on him who is in the mud.
Wer am Boden liegt, iiber den lauft Jedermann. Germ.
Am fear a bliios trie anns a' mhuileann, leanaidh an
sadach ris.
He that's often in the mill will he dusty.
Chi va al mulino, s' infarina. Ital.
Am fear a bhrathas 's e 'mharbhas..
He that hetrays is the murderer.
Am fear a bhuaileadh mo ch bhuaileadh e mi fhein.
He that would strike my dog ivotdd strike me.
Am fear a cheanglas 's e 'shiubhlas.
He that ties hest travels hcst.
He that fastens his knapsack or bundle most carefully will go
with least interruption so of all hvunan affairs.
See ' Ceangail teann '.
Fast bind, fast find. Engl.
(juien bieu ata, bien desata. Span.
13
Am fear a cheannaicheas am fath-each, ceannaichidh e
an t-ath each.
He that buys an old hack will have to buy another
horse.
A I. Ceannaicli sean riul, 's bi gun aou rud. Buy an old thing,
and have nothing.
Am fear a chuireadh a chorrag 'am shil, clmirinn mo ghln 'n a chliahh.
Who would put his finger in my eye, 1 would put my
hnee on his chest.
This looks as if the Trans -Atlantic practice of ' gouging ' had
been at one time known in the Highlands. If it were so, it must
have been very long ago.
Am fear a dh'imich an cruinne clia d'fliiosraich co
dhiubh b'fhearr luathas no maille ; ach tliug e 'n t-urram
do dh-fhear na moch-eirigh.
He vjho went round the globe conld'nt tell which was
best, speed or slowness ; but he gave the palm to the early
riser.
Am fear a dli' itheas a sheanmhair, faodaidli e
'li-eanraich l.
He that eats his grandmother m^ay sup her broth.
When Farquhar the Leech had tasted the 'bree' of the serpent,
his master, who knew tliat his apprentice now had his eyes opened
to see the secrets of nature, and his ears to understand the language of birds, threw the pan at him in wrath, crying, ' Ma
dh' 1 thu an siigh, ith an fheil ' ; If you have supped the juice,
eat the flesh ! See Campbell's IF. H. Talcs. II., 262.
Al. Ge b'e 'dhith an fheil, ladh e 'm brochan.
An te d'ith an fheil, ladh se am l)rot. Irish.
As good eat the devil as the broth he is boiled in. Engl.
Chi ha mangiato il diavolo, mangia anche le corna. Ital.
' Seanmliair ' is also a playful term applied to a pig in some parts
of the Highlands.
Am fear a dli' itheas an t-lm togadh e 'n tota.
He thafs to eat the butter, let him build the walls.
The meaning here is, that the man who is to reap the profit
should erect the necessary buildings. Butter appears, from
several of the old sayings, to liave been one of the chief products
of the primitive Highlands. A keg of butter, containing about 2
u
cwt., in good preservation, found in May, 1879, at some depth in
a peat-moss, in Kingaii-locli, is now preserved in the Museum of
15
16
Am fear a's fliaide 'chaidh o'n tigh, 's e'n cel 'bu
bhinne chual e riamh ' tiugainn dachaidh '.
To him that farthest went avmy the sweetest music
he ever heard was 'come home\
East or West, home (hame) is best. Engl, and Scot.
Ost unci West, daheim das Best. Gervi.
Oost, West, t' huis hest Dutch.
These are all characteristically brief and plain. More tender
and poetical are the Italian, ' Casa mia, casa mia, per piccina que
tu sia, tu mi sembri una badia,' and ' Casa mia, mamma mia '.
Am fear a 's fhaide 'chaidh riamh o'n tigh, bha cho
fad aige ri tighinn dachaidh.
The mail that went fccrthest from home had as far to
come lack.
Am fear a 's fhaide saoghal 's e 's mo a chi.
He that lives longest sees most.
Am fear a'sfliearr achuireas 's e 's fhearr a bhuaineas.
Jle toho sows hest rea2JS hest.
Chi mal semina mal raccoglie. Ital.
Quien bien siembra, bien coge. Span.
Am fear a 's fliche, rachadh e do 'n allt.
Let him that is wettest go to the hum.
It is said that a young wife having made this response to her
husband, who asked for some water on coming home wet, he went
and fetched a bucketful, which he straightway emptied over her
head, adding, ' Co's fliche a nis ? ' ' Who is wettest now ? ' There
is a Breton story exactly to the same efi'ect.
Am fear a 's hiaitlie lmh 's e 's fhearr cuid.
Quickest hand gets higgest share.
See ' Ge b'e 's luaithe lmh,' ' Bidh a' chuid a 's miosa,' &c.
Am fear a 's lugha toinisg 's e 's irde mthar.
The man of least sense makes most noise,
A fool also is full of words, Eccles. x. 14.
Am fear a 's luime 's e a's luaithe.
17
Am fear a 's treas' 'an uachdar, 's am fear a 's luaitli'
air thoiseacli.
The strongest above, and the swiftest in front.
Am fear a th' anus a' chil biodh a sliil air an teine.
He that's in the corner let him loatch the fire.
This is a pleasant reminiscence of the old Highland life, calling
up a picture of a cosy gathering round the central peat fire, when
stories were told, riddles proposed, or songs sung. The person in
the corner, where a heap of peats was piled, was bound to keep
his eye on the fire, and throw on peats when required.
Am fear a theid a dli'iarraidh an iasaid theid e dh'iarraidh a'bhrin.
He that goes a-horrowing goes a-sorrowing. Eng.
Argent emprunte porte tristesse. Fr.
Borgen niaakt zorgen. Dutch.
Debts make the cheeks black. Arab.
Am fear a theid a ghna a mach le 'lion, gheabli e
iasg uair-eigin.
He that goes out regularly with his net will get fish
sometime.
The word in Macintosh was ' eun ' not ' iasg,' but the latter is
the more common form of the saying, the use of nets for catching
birds having long ago ceased in the Highlands.
Am fear a theid a mach air na h-uaislean, is duine
truagh 'am measg chich e.
He that quarrels ivith the gentry is a miserable man.
A very Celtic sentiment, and painfully true.
Am fear a theid do 'n tigh mhor gun ghnothach
bheir e gnothach as.
18
Am fear a thig anmocli Disathurna,
'S a dh'fhalbhas moch Diluain ;
B'fheaiT learn air son a chuideachaidh.
An duine sin a dh'fhuireach bhuam.
Wlio comes late on Saturday night,
A nd early on Monday goes away,
For any help I get from him,
I'd rather like him at home to stay.
Am fear a tliig gun chuireadh suidhidh e gun iarraidh.
He that comes unhidden will sit doivn unasked.
Am fear a thug buaidli air fhein thug e buaidh air
nmhaid.
He that conquers himself conquers an enemy.
He that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city.
Prov. xvi. 32.
Iracundiam qui vincit hostem superat maximum. P. Syrus.
Wer seinen Zom bez-\vingt, hat einen Feind besiegt. Germ.
Am fear aig am beil, cumadh e, 's am fear o 'm bi,
tarruingeadh e.
He who has, let him hold, he who ivants let him pull.
The good old rule, the simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can. Wordsworth.
19
Am fear air am bi bial bidh sporan.
He that has a mouth ivill also have a purse.
This seems to mean that the power of asking and of keeping
go together.
Am fear air nach d'tliinig thig.
He that has escaped misfortune will meet it yet.
Am fear d'an dan a'chroich, cha teid gu brtli a bhthadh.
Who is horn to he hanged will never he drowned.
Al. Cha mheall an t-uisg'a'chroich.
The water will never waur the widdie. SVof.
I have great comfort from this fellow : methinks he hath no
drowning mark upon him : his complexion is perfect gallows.
The Tempest, Act I., sc. 1.
Chi nato per la forca mai s' annegher. Ital.
Wer hangen soil ersaust nicht. Germ.
Die geboren is om te hangen, behoeft geen vrees te hebben van
verdrinken. Dutch.
Han drukner ikke der haenges skal, uden Vandet gaaer over
Galgen. Van.
20
Am fear nacli bi olc 'n a aire, clia smaoinich e olc
fir eile.
He who means no evil thinks no evil.
Am fear nach biath a cli cha stuig.
Who does not feed his dog ivill not set him, on.
Am fear nach cluiun gii math, cha toir e freagairt
mhath.
He that hears hadly toill answer hadhj.
Al. ' freagraidh e gu miomhail.'
En dov Horer gior en galen Svarer. Dan.
Am fear nach cluinn ceart cha'n innis ach cearbach.
He that does not hear well will re'port hadly.
21
on the Inch of Perth. The story goes that Harry, having killerl
his man, sat dowTi to rest. The chief of the Chm Chattan ca,me
up, and demanded the reason. Harry said he had fulfilled his
bargain, and earned his money. ' Him that serves me without
counting his hours,' said the chief, 'I reward without reckoning
wages '. Whereupon Harry made the above reply, rose up, and
resumed the fight. See Fair Maid of Perth, ch. xxxiv.
Am fear nach dean bail air bial a' bhiiilg, ni an t-iochdar bail air fhein.
If you don't spare the mouth of the hag^ the bottom will
spare itself
Better spare at brim than at bottom. Enrjl. and Scot.
Bedre at spare paa Bredden, end paa Bunden. Dan.
Am fear nach dean Nollaig le 'dhein^ ni e Cisg a
dh-aindeoin.
He ivho u-orit heep Christmas must keep Easter.
The Church of Rome requires communion at least once a year,
and that at Easter. He who omits it at Christmas can't avoid
it then. Another proverb, however, throws a ditlerent light on
this one : Am fear nach dean Nollaig shnndach, ni e' Chisg gu
trsach durach. He who hasnH a rwrry Christmas \oill have a sad
and tearful Easter, i.e., he wliose family circumstances prevent him
from enjoying Christmas will have greater grief before Easter.
Am fear nach dean obair no gniomh,
Cha'n fhaigh e biadh feadh nam preas.
He that neither worJcs nor pushes.
Won't find food among the hushes.
Am fear nach dean toil a' Phpa, fgadh e an Rimh,
He that loon't obey the Poye, let him leave Rome.
Qui veut vivre Eome ne doit pas se quereller avec le
Pape. i^^r.
Am fear nach do chleachd an claidheamh, fgaidh e
air a tliom e.
He that's not used to the sword will leave it wliere he sect.
Am fear nach do thr gu 'bhogha, thr gu 'chlaidheamh.
He that did not get at his boiv got at his sword.
This alludes to a sudden attack followed by confusion, and
probable panic, as is suggested by another saying.
Am fear nach fhanadh ri 'bhogha, cha'n fhanadh ri
'chlaidheamh.
He who wouldn't wait for his bow wouldn't wait for
his sicord. *
22
A still deeper stage of cowardice is indicated in the saying,
Am fear nach d' fhuair toll, dli' iarr e dorus.
He that couldn't find a hole sought a door.
23
Am fear nach guth a ghuth, cha rath a rath,
Wliose word is no word his hick is no lucJc.
This is one of the testimonies to the value of truthfulness, in
which these Gaelic proverbs are not wanting.
Am fear nacli marcaich ach anmoch caillidh e a spuir.
He who rides hit late ivill lose his spurs.
Seldom ride, tine the spurs. Scot.
Am fear nach mudaich an earn, gu mudaich e
'chroich !
lllio icon't add to the cairn, may he add to the gibbet!
It was an ancient Celtic custom to erect a cairn, or pile of
stones, as a memorial of the good fame or infamy of the person
buried beneath it. In either case it was considered the duty of
every passer-by to add a stone to the cairn. The above proverb
seems to refer specially to the case of a criminal's cairn. The term
' fear air chrn,' a man on a cairn, is still knowTi in Gaelic as
signifying an outlaw, or person whose life is forfeited to public
justice. Sayings having a similar reference are, ' B'fhearr leam e
'bhi fo chrn chlach,' I should rather he were under a cairn of
stones ; ' 'S oil leam nach robh do luath fo chrn,' I'm sorry
your ashes are not under a cairn ; and the Welsh, ' Cam ar
dy ben ! ' (or ' wyueb '). A cairn on thy head (or face) !
A common saying, on the other hand, referring to cairns
erected in testimony of respect, is ' Cuii-idh mi clach 'ad chrn.'
I'll add a stone to your cairn.
See Smith's Galic Antiquities, pp. 49-53, and Rowlands' Mona
Antiqua, p. 49.
Am fear nach misnich cha bhuannaich.
Who won't venture shall not win.
Fortuna favet fortibus. iai.
Faint heart never won fair lady. Eng. and Scot.
Le couard n'aura belle amie. Fr.
A los osados ayuda la fortuna. S^Mn.
Am fear nach seall roimhe seallaidh e na 'dheigh.
Me that won't look before him must look behind him.
Am fear nach teagaisg Dia cha teagaisg duine.
Whom God teaches not man cannot.
Am fear nach teich teichear roimhe.
24
Am fear nacli toir an air' air a' bheagan, cha'n airidh
air a' mhoran.
He that is not careful of the little is not worthy of
much.
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithfiil also in
much. Luke xvii. 10.
Die 't klein versmaad, is 't groot niet waard. Dutch.
Am fear nach toir an aire dha fhein, bidh each a
fanaid air.
He tliat cares not for himself will he made a
mock of.
Am fear nach treabh aig a' bhaile cha treabh e as.
He that won't plough at home won't plough abroad.
Am fear nach treabh air muir cha treabh e air tir.
He that will not plough at sea, neither will lie ploiigh
on land.
This does not bear out the opinion of some who have represented the Highlander as essentially averse to sea-faring.
Am fear 'tha grad gu gealladh, 's trie leis mealladh.
Quick to promise often deceives.
Am fiar a thig a mach 's a' Mhrt, theid e 's tigh 's a'
Ghiblean.
The grass that comes out in March shrinks away in
April.
Cito maturum, cito pntridum. Lat.
Presto niaturo, presto marzo. Ital.
Soon ripe, soon rotten. Eng.
Am fitheach a' cur a mach a theanga leis an teas.
The raven putting out his tongue for heat.
Am fitheach a dh'eireas moch, 's ann leis a bhios sil
25
Am mac air an sprr 's an t-athair gun blireith.
Tiic son on the roost and the father tinhorn.
This is one of many ingenious Gaelic riddles, and means the
smoke of a fire which has not yet kindled. It is applied as a
proverb to the case of anything loudly heralded before it has
come into existence.
Am mios biiidh.
The yelloiv month Juli/.
Am mlos dubh.
The black month November.
Am mios marbh.
The dead month December to January.
Am port a's fhearr a ghabh Euairidh riamb gbabhteadh seirbbe dbetb.
Tlie best tune Rory ever played might tire one.
At. Fsarsgith de'n chel a 's binne.
Eoderick Morrison, called Euairidh Dall, Blind Eory, a celebrated harper, and bard to MacLeod of MacLeod. See App. IL
Amadan an da fbichead bliadbna cha bhi e ciallach ri 'bbe.
The fool of forty ivill never be vAse.
Quien a veinte no es galan, ni a treinta tiene fuerza, ni a quarenta riqueza, ni a cincuenta esperiencia, ni sera galan, ni fuerte,
ni rico, ni prudente. Span.
Amadan na mi-thoirt, bbiodh meas duine gblic air
na'm biodb e'n a thosd.
Tlie poor fool would pass for a loise man if he held
his tongue.
Al. Saoilidh iad gu 'm beil e glic, ma bhios e trie 'n a thosd.
Doeth dyn tra tawo Wise is man while silent. Welsh.
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.
Prov. xvii. 28.
A wise look may secure a fool, if he talk not. Eng.
Nichts sieht einem gescheidten Mann ahnlicher, als ein Xarr
der das Maul halt. Genn.
El bobo, si es callado, por sesudo es reputado. S'pan.
Karren er andre Folk liig saa leenge han tier. Dan.
Amaisidh an dall a bbial.
The blind can hit his mouth.
Amas rogbainn.
Chance choice.
26
Amhairc romliad mu 'n toir thu do lum.
Look hcfore you leap.
Amharus a' mhirlich air Ailein.
The tliiefs suspicion of honest Allan.
Amhlaireachd Chlann-Mhic-Philip.
The rude absurd play of the MacKillops.
The word ' Amhlaireachd ' is very difficult to translate, and
probably nobody will be satisfied with the translation, least of
all the MacKillops. The saying is given for what it is worth,
which is perhaps little. Other clans, still more notable than the
MacKillops, are characterised in sayings which the editor has
thought proper to give, such as they are.
Au car a bliios 's a' mhthair, 's gn leis a blii 's an
nighinu.
The twist of the mother is iiatural to the daughter.
An car a bliios 's an t-seana mliaide 's duilich a tlioirt
as.
The crook in the old stick is ill to take out.
An car a nitear a dh-aindeoin bidh e cam no carrach.
Whai is do7ie umoillingly loill he done with a twist or
roughly.
27
mheir an aghaidh na gaoithe tuath, cuir an siol 's an
talamh.
The first Ttiesday let pass ; the second if iiecd he ; the
third, though you coiddnt send a stone a nail's breadth
against the north wind, soiv your seed.
Al. ' ged nach cuireadh tu doirneag.'
Other proverbs, such as ' Cuir do shiol 's a' Mhrt,' indicate
that the luonth of March was formerly considered the right time
for sowing in the Highlands. The third week of March, Old
Style, would be the first week of April, New Style, which would
now be considered too early. The reason for naming Tuesday
seems to be, that Monday was considered an unlucky day for
begluning any work of importance.
An cleaclidadh a bh'aig Nial, bha e riamli ris.
The habit Neil had he always stuck to.
lann eo, lann e vo John he is, John he will h^. Breton.
An cleaclidadh a bliios aig duin' a's tigh, bidli e aig'
air cheilidh.
29
tliat beautiful liill called Tomnaliiuricli near Inverness. A man
found himself one evening at the entrance of a cave leading into
the bowels of the hiU. He entered, and saw the Feinn lying all
around. From the roof of the cave hung a chain that would
ring when shaken 'Slabhruidh eisdeachd' audience-chain. He
shook it, and it sounded a ringing peal, at which the sleeping
heroes awoke, and turned their great cold eyes on the man. The
poor creature instantly took to his heels, and rushed out of the
cave and down the hill, hearing behind him. amid the howling of
w;xkened deerhounds, a voice that cried, 'A dhuine dhona ghraich,
is miosa 'dh' f hag na 'fhuair thu ' ! Thou wretched foolish man,
that worse left than thou foundest !
An gad air an robh 'n t-iasg.
TJie witlie mi vjhich the fish vjas.
An gad a 's faisge do 'u sgrnan, 's e 's coir a gliearradh an toiseach.
30
An Inid bheadaidh, thig an latha roimh'n oidliche.
The forward Shrove-tide, day comes before the niyht.
This means that the Feast comes before the Vigil.
An inisg 'g a cur, 's a bun aig a' bhaile.
The reproach getting spread, and its root at home.
An la a chi 's nach f haic.
Every day present or ahsent.
This is
usually
fhaic,'
was not
31
an Act of Parliament (35 & 36 Vict., c. 62), Sect. 69 of which
enacts that " It shall be the duty of every parent to provide elementary education in reading, writing, and arithmetic, for his
chikben between five and thirteen years of age ".
An lionn a ni duine dha fhein, ladh e a ler dheth.
The ale a man makes for himself let Aim have his
fill of
The use and brewing of ale in the Highlands in former
32
An neach a's tire 'bhios a' s 'tigh, 's ann leis a's irde
'mliuinntir.
The meanest jperson in the house brags most of his
kindred.
33
Comfi wi' the wind and gang wi' the water. Scot.
Ligt gekomen, ligt gegaan. Dutch.
Cha daink lesh y gheay, nach ragh lesh yn ushte. Manx.
An ni nach cluinn thn 'n diugii, clia'n aithris thu
mireach.
What you do not hear to-day, you will not report iomorroio.
Al, Miir cluinneadh tu sin, cha'n abradh tu e.
An ui nach 'eil caillte gheabhar e.
What is not lost can he got.
An ni nach fios do na mnathan ceilidh iad.
What the women don't hiotv they'll conceal.
Women conceal all that they know not. Eng.
I well believe
Thon wilt not utter what thou dost not know,
And so far wiU I trust thee, gentle Kate.
Henry IV., Part I.
A ni nach gabh nighe, cha ghabh e fsgadh.
What will not wash will not wring.
A ni 'ni subhach an darna aba ni e dubhach an t-ab'
eile.
What makes one abbot glad, makes another abbot sad.
Ce qui nuit I'un, duit 1 'autre. Fr.
Non pianse mai uno che non ridesse un altro. Ital.
An obair a thisicheas Diluain, biclh i hiath no bidh i
mall.
The work that begins on Monday loill be cither quick or
slow.
Monday, being the first free day of the week, gives a good
chance for getting on with work, but if one relies too much on
having abundance of time, the work will probably be put off.
An oidhch' a mharbhar am mult, agus an oidhcli' a
theirigeas e.
The night the wedder is killed, and the night it's finished.
The suggestion is that the repast should be liberal on both
occasions.
An rdag 'an aghaidh na glaice.
The thumb against the palm.
34
An ran mor agiis an gal tioram.
Gi^eat cry and iveeping dry.
An rathad fada glan, 's an rathad goirid salacli.
Tlie long clean road, and the short dirty road.
Sliort cuts often lead into mire. So is it also with those who
hasten to ' get on ' in the world.
An rud a bliios 'n ad bhroinn, cha bhi e 'n ad
thiomnadh.
What's in yir tvame's no in yir testament. Scot.
Fat housekeepers make lean executors. Eng.
Fette Kiiche, magere Erbschaft. Germ.
Grand chre, petit testament. Fr.
Grassa cucina, magro testamento. Ital.
An rud a chiuneas 's a' chnimh cha tig e as an fheil.
What's hrcd in the bane will bide in the flesh. Scot.
An rud fhsas 's a chnimh, ni feadar a dhibirt as a
bh-fheil. Ir.
Wat in 't gebeente gegroeid is, wil uit het vleesch niet. Dutch.
An rud a cliiiir an earb air an loch an eigin.
What made the roe tahe the loch necessity.
An rud a chuireas duine 's e 'bhuaineas e, mar a thuirt
an inseach a bha 'cur na mine.
What man sows that will he reap, as the silly ivoman
sai(^- when she sowed meal.
An rud a chuireas e n a cheann cuiridh e 'n a chasan e.
What he puts into his head goes to his feet.
An rud a dh'fhalbhas cha'n e a dh'fhoghnas.
That which goes ivont suffice.
Aij rud a gheabhar aig ceann an Deamhain, cailleir
e aig 'earball.
What is got at the DeviVs head ivill be lost at his tail.
What's gotten ower the Deil's back is spent below his
belly. Sco^.
]\iale partimi, male disperit. Plant. Ill gotten, ill spent. Eng.
Hvad man med Synd ftiaer, det med Sorg gaaer. Bcm.
An rud a ni e le 'chrgan, millidh e le 'spgan, coltach
ri d' sheana-bhrgan Gidhealach.
What he docs ivith his hands he spoils with his feet,
like your old Highland brogues.
35
An rud a ni math do bhillidh Dliira, cha dean e
cron do'n Esgan Mac-Phil.
What's good for the Jura factor will do no harm to
Fleecy M'Phail.
There was a small Jura farmer of the name of M'Phail, nicknamed ' Rusgan,' whom the factor liked, but took pleasure in
chaffing. One day when E. came to pay his rent, the factor
helped himself from the bottle which always stood on the table,
and said to R. : 'I think you are better without this,' to which
R. replied as above, and proceeded to help himself. This saying,
trivial as was its origin, has survived for two centuries.
An rud a nitear gu math chitear a bhuil.
What is done loell, its effect will tell.
An rud a nitear 's a'chil, thig e dh'ionnsuidh an teine.
Whafs done in the corner will come to the hearth.
An rud a's udar 's eudar e.
What must be must.
An rud a' their a' h-uile duine bithidh e fior.
WJuit everyhody says must he true.
There is no proverb of such general acceptance as this with
so little truth- in it.
An rud anns an teid dil theid dearmad.
Belay brings neglect.
An rud nach bi air an t-slinnein bidh e air an
t-sliasaid.
Wluit is not on the shoulder ivill he on the loin.
An rud nach binn le duine cha chluinn duine.
What is not pleasant to his ear a man will not hear.
An rud nach cluinn cluas cha ghluais cridhe.
What the ear hears not, the heart moves not.
Faith cometh by hearing. St. Paul.
An rud nach do bhuilich Dia cha'n fhad a mheal ar e.
What God bestowed not tvon't be long enjoyed.
36
An rud nach tig 's nach d'thinig dhachaidh, gmtlian
na h-earba gun bhracliadh.
What never came nor will come home, the roe's liver
untainted.
An ruith air an ruaig, 's an ruaig air an ruith.
The chase retreating, and tlie rout running.
'An run nam biodag dh' a chile. At daggers draiving.
An saoghal a' dol ma seach, 's an t-each air muin a
mharcaiche.
The world going ujjside down, the horse mounted on the
horsemaii.
An sean-fhacal gu fada fior, chabhriagaichearanseanfhacal.
The old saying long proved true shall never he belied.
Pareceme, Saucho, que no hay refran que no sea verdadero.
Don Quixote.
An searracli 'Iju choir a blii 'n a lair 's ann a dh'flis
e 'n a ghearran.
The foal that shoidd have hcen a mare grew iiito a
gelding.
Said of an over-presumptuous youth,
'An sinead 's 'an doiiad, mar a bha ciiilein a' mliadaidhruaidh.
The older the worse, like the fox's ivhelp.
Al. Piseach cuilean a mhadaidh-ruaidh, mar a's sin' e 's ann
a 's miosa.
An sneaclid nach tig mu Shamhuinn thig gu reamhar
mu Fheill-Brighde.
The snow that comes not at Hallowmass will come thick
at Candlemas.
An solus r 's a chl ri lr.
T}ie new moon with her hack dowmvards.
37
An taobh a chuir thu 'n gruth, ciiir 'n a 'shruth am
nieiig.
Where you made the curds to go, you may set the whey
a-Jlow.
An taobh a theid an fheannag bheir i 'feaman leatlia.
When the craw flees her tail folloivs. Scot^
An taobh a's bidhche de'n chnihla..
The prettiest side of the door.
The outside of a iiiaindoor is meant, but not in a metaphori{.'al sense. The outside was usually planed, and sometimes painted,
the inside left rough.
An taoman na's mo na'n long.
The hater higycr than the boat.
An t-each a bhuailear 's a cheann bidh e sgthach.
The horse that is struck in the head will he full of fear.
He will start at every movement of his master, anticipating
another stroke. This extreme sensitiveness, painful to see, as the
result of brutal treatment, is still more painful to see among
school children, as it sometimes, though happily not often, is.
An teine 'ni duine dha fhein, 's e 'choir a gharadh ris.
The fire one makes for himself he ims a right to he,
warmed at.
An ti a shh^eas air gach aithneach,.
The one that asks of every acquaintance.
An t-iasg a chriomas gach boiteag, theid a ghlacadh
nair-eigin.
The fish that hites every worm (i.e., hait) will he caught
some time.
An tinneas a's fhearr na'n t-slinte.
38
An triir nach fulling an cniodachadh, seann bliean,
cearc, agus caora.
The three that won't hear caressing, an old vjoman, a,
hen, and a sheej).
An t-strathair 'an ite na diollaid.
The pack-saddle in place of the saddle.
An t-suirdhe clinaparra. The sturdy wooinq.
This means, of course, what is called ' Scotch wooing '.
An tuagli 'an deigh an tail, 's an tl 'an deigh an
locair.
The axe after the adze, and the adze after the plane.
An t-uasal Leathaineaeh, 's an ceatharnacli Eaonallach.
The gentleman of Clan MacLcan, and the warrior of
Clan Ranald.
The MacLeans have generally got credit for a certain high-bred
polish, on which they rather plume themselves. ' An cinne mor,
's am pr mi-shealbhach,' The great race, and the unfortunate
seed, is one of their sayings of themselves. Another is, ' Ged
'tha mi bochd, tha mi uasal, buidheachas do Dhia, 's ann de
Chlann lUeathain mi ! ' Though I am poor, I am well-l)orn God
be thanked, I am a MacLean ! The Macdonalds, on the other
hand, bear the character of manliness and force, with a tendency
to swagger. ' Spagadagliog Chlann DnuiU agus lem Leathaineaeh' The Macdonald ostentation, and the MacLean atfectation, is a saying of this import.
39
An uair a bhios am pobuU dall, ni an gille cam ministear.
When the congregations hlind, the one-eyed lad luill
suit their mind.
< The one-eyed is king among the blind.' See 'Is righ an cam'.
An uair a bhios am port a' fas fada, bidh e 'fas searbh.
When the tune gets tiresome it gets harsh.
An uair a bhios an cupan Ian, cuiridh e thairis.
When the cup is full it toill overflow.
An uair a's lain' an cupan, 's ann a 's dorr' a ghilan.
When the cup is fullest it is most dijficult to carry.
Al. Is duilich cupan Ian a ghiulan.
A fu' cup is ill to caiTy. Wlien the cup is fu' cany it even. Scot.
Plenitude of power or wealth is difficult to bear without overbearing. The saying is meant to correct that tendency, specially
developed in upstarts.
An uair a bhios an deoch a 's tigh, bidh an ciall a mach.
When drink's in tvifs oot. Scot.
Vino dentro, senno fuora. Ital.
Do entra beber, sale saber. Span.
Als de wijn ingaat, gaat de wijsheid uit. Wanneer de wijn is
in de man, dan is de wijsheid in de kan. Dutch.
Naar Ollet gaaer ind, da gaaer Viddet ud. Dan.
40
An uair a bliios an sgadan mu tliuath, bidh Murchadh ruadh mu dlieas.
When tJie herring is in the north, red Murdoch is in
the south.
Red Murdoch is the restless, unlucky man, always out of the
way when something good is to be got.
An uair a
Wlien the
' Applied
when they
41
An uair a gheabh an leibidean a's tigh, 's e fear an
tighe 'n truaghan.
When the trifier gets in, pity the goodman of the hovse.
An uair a lasas sin, ni e teine.
When that lights it will make afire.
Fire, quotli the fox, when he on the ice. Eng.
The Gaelic proverb is connected with the same parable as the
English one, coarse hut comical.
An uair a gheabh sinn biadh gheabh sinn poit.
When we get food well get a j)ot.
A good maxim for young couples, intent upon furnishing a
house. Be sure of your Hving first.
An uair a leumas e an Fheill-Brighde, cha'n earb an
sionnach 'earball ris an deigh.
42
An uair a's lugha 'n naigheachd, 's ann a 's mo an t-sitli.
Least news most i^eace.
No news is good news. Eng.
An uair a 's mo 'n eigin, dearbhar an caraid dileas.
43
An uair 'theid bior 's an losgann ni e sgriach.
When the toad is pierced he screeches.
An nair a theid na mirlich a throd, tliig daoin' ionraic
gu 'n cuid.
When thieves fall out, honest men come to their oivn.
When thieves reckon, leal folk come to their gear. Scoi., Eng.
Wanneer dieven kijven bekomen, vrome lieclen hare goederen.
Butch. Naar Tyvene tristtes, faaer Bonden sine Koster. Dan.
Les larrous s'entrebattent, et les larcins se deconvrent. Fr.
Pelean los ladrones, y descubrense los hurtos. Span.
An uair a theid thus' air d' each mor, tlieid thu thairis
air.
When you mount your high horse, you'll tumhle over.
Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps its self,
And falls on the other. Macbeth.
An uair a theirigeas gacli meas, 's math na mucagan.
When all fruit is done, hips are good.
An uair a theirigeas gual sguiridh obair.
When coal is do7ie vjorJc ceases.
The work referred to is the smith's, the coal a kind of charcoal
or coke, called eala-ghual, which used to be made of peat.
An uair 'thig an Samhradh, togaidh sinn tigh : thig an
Samhra.dh, 's cha tog tigh no tigh, 's f hearr a bhi muigh
na 'lihi 's tigh.
When Si'/mmer comes, vje'll huild a house ; Summer
Coynes, and house or no house, it's better to be out thaii in.
An uair a thig air duine, thig air uile.
When anything comes on a man, everything comes,
Al. An uair a thig aon ni, thig gach aon ni.
Misfortunes seldom come alone. It never rains but it pours.
Eng. Ill comes upon waur'.s back. Scot.
Een ongeluk komt zelden alleen. rDutch.
Malheur ne vient jamais seul. Fr.
Le disgrazie non vengou mai sole. Ital.
Adonde vas, mal ? Adonde mas hay. S2Mn.
An uair a thig an latha thig comhairle.
With da,y counsel loill come.
Tra hig y laa hig eh choyrle lesh. Mcmx.
'Ei/ vvKTi [i'iv\rj. Gr. La nuit porte conseil. Fr.
La notte la madre di pensieri. Ital.
Dormireis sobre eUo, y tomareis acuerdo. /Span.
u
G(uter Eath kommt iiber Nacht. Germ.
Take counsel of your pillow. l7>g.
An uair a tliig tionndadh na li-aimsir, tillidh gach ian
ri 'ealtuinn.
Whe7i the change of season comes, each hircl returns to
his flock.
An uair a threigeas na dthchasaicli He, beannachd
le sith Alba !
When the natives forsake Islay, farewell the peace of
Scotland !
The population of Islay has decreased much by emic^ration,
but it is to be hoped the peace of Scotland is safe notwithstanding.
An uair a thubhas e 'cheann tubhaidb e 'thigh.
When he thatches his head, he will thatch his house.
An uaisle 'g a cumail suas a dh-aindeoin.
Keeping up gentility in spite of everything.
A man down on his back, after a wrestle with a 'Tannasg,'
was asked by the spectre, ' if this was the worst plight he ever
was io-V ' Not at all,' said he. ' What then ? ' said the ghost.
'An cs is cruaidhe anns an robh mise riamh, an uair a bha mi
eadar an fheile agus an ainibeairt, agus a cumail na h-uaisle suas
a dh-aindeoin, The worst plight I ever was in, was when I was
between Hospitality and Want, and keeping iip gentility in spite
of all '. ' That was hard work,' said the ghost, ' but get up,,
you'll never encounter these two again ' ; and so let him go.
The conflict between Hospitality and Want is prettily illustrated in one of Fingal's questions to the daughter of King
Cormac. ' What is hotter than fire ? ' said F. ' A good man's
cheek,' said the lady, 'to whom visitors come, and no food to give
tliem gnis dhuine mhath do 'n tig aoidhean, gun bhiadh aige
dhaibh '. Fingal's gTeatest strait w^s when he was between Want
and Denial, ' eadar an t-euradh 'us aimbeairt,' q.v.
Anmoch gu loch, moch gu amhainn, 's mu niheadhon latha na h-uillt.
Late to the loch, early to the river, and about noon to the
Inrns.
This is an angler's advice.
Ann am mullach nam meall.
At the top of the heights.
At the height of passion.
Ann an coileach an t-sruth. In the eddy of the stream.
i5
Aon a dh'iarras 's a db dhiag a dh olas, no pathadh
na caorach.
One asking and twelve drinking, or the sheep s thirst.
Aon blio a bhristeas an gradh, 's a dh dhiag a
leumas.
One coio breaks the dyke, and a dozen leap it.
Aon mliac caillich, 's aon mhart muilleir.
An old woinans only son, and a miller s one coiv.
Aon mliacan na truaighe, is dualach gu 'n teid e 'dliolaidh.
The unfortunate little only son, 'tis natural for him to
go to the dogs.
Aon nighean caillich, aon ian teallaieh.
The old vnfe's only doAighter, the one hearth-chicken.
Aontachadli bradaig le briagaig, 's aontachadh briagain
le braidein.
The thief s assent to the liar, and the liars to the thief.
Al. Ceist bradaig air briagaig.
Ask Jock Thief gif I be a leear. Scot.
Domanda al mio caro se sono ladro. It.
Ar tigh tubhta, 's ar talla tirngte.
Our house thatched, and our hall nailed.
All ready for occupation.
Aran 'us uibhean tioram, culaidh 'mharbhaidh ]\IhicSamhain ; Am fear a's mati le 'mhnaoi e 'bhi diombuan,
chaoidh cha dual da 'bhi fallain.
Dry bread and eggs uiould be the death of a savage ; He
whose vnfe vjishes him short life cant be in good health.
This refers to one of the Highland notions about certain food
which are often fanciful. See ' Ubh gun im '. An English saying. ' After an egg drink as much as after an ox,' is to the samn
effect. ' Mac-Samhain ' is the name for a kind of mytliical
savage.
46
As an teine do'n ghriosaich.
Out of the fire into the emhers.
'Elf r TTvp K Tov KOTTvov. LucioAi. De fumo in flammam. Led.
Cader clalla padella nelle bragie. Ital.
Andar de zocos en colodros. Bjian.
Fugir do fumo, e cahir no fogo. Port.
Sauter de la poele siir la braise. Fr.
Out of the frying-pan into the fa:%.Eng.
At a' bhuinn-duibh, agus bs an aon mhic.
The stoelling of the heel, cmd the death of the only son.
Said by a Lewis woman who suffered under both pains at
once. " Losgadh buinn-duibh losgadh gu cnimh," is another
saying expressive of the agony caused by a sore heel.
i\.tach seann seladair, an t-atach a's miosa 'th'ann.
An old sailor's east-off things, tvorst of all cast-offs.
This is equally applicable to an old sailor's garments or his
used-up craft. ' Atach ' = Ath-aodach.
Athair na Dilinn !
Father of the Flood !
An interjection not unnatm-al in a rainy climate.
Atliais an darna cuir air a' char eile.
The reproach of the one twist against the other.
Al. ' An darna curra,' the one heron, &c.
Athghearr an fhidhleir dlmibh o'n taobh tnath.
TJie black fiddlers short cut from the north.
A round-about way. Al. Aithghearr an tilleir dhuibh do
Ghleann Cuaich, mu'n cuairt an saoghal The black tailor's
48
tiling to the laird's satisfaction, and finished his story, it is said,
with the above verse. For an account of him and his family, see
Captain Thomas's ' Traditions of the Morrisons,' Proc. of Scot.
Soc. of Ant., Vol. XII., pp. 526-531.
B' luinn a' ghnis, na 'm b' ilmhor am bus.
The face ivere lovely were the 'haviour good.
B'ainliuil mur b't'hior.
Probable if it vjere not true.
This resembles, but wants the point of ' Se non vero ben
trovato '.
Bs an fhithich ort! The raven's death to you!
This is much the same as ' Droch bhs ort ! ' a very common phrase. It was a popular belief among the Gael that the
young raven kills the old one. Not less emphatic is ' Bs gun
sagart ort ! ' Death without priest to you !
Bata 's treasa na'n cuaille, gille's uaisle na 'mhaighstir.
Cane stronger than club, servant finer than master,
Bthadh mor aig oirthir.
A great drowning near the land.
Margr druknar noerri landi. Iceland.
Bthaidli uisge tetli teine.
Hot vKiter will quench f re.
Foul water will sloken fixe. Bcot.
Bthaidh toll beag long mlior.
A little hole will sink a big shij).
B'e sin a bhi 'cur iomchoir' 'an deaghaidh Chaluim.
Tlmt were blaming Malcolm after he's away.
B'e sin a bhi cur na caora air theadhair lmh ri tigh a'
mhirlich.
That were tethering the sheep near the thief's house.
B'e sin a bhi 'del eadar a' chraobh 's a rsg.
That ivere to go between the tree and its hark.
II ne faut mettre le doigt entre I'arbre et l'corce. i'V.
B'e sin a bhi 'taladh seangain air crios.
That ivere hushing an ant to sleep on a girdle.
Trying to do an absurd thing. Somewhat to the some effect is
' Cala seangain air crios,' An ant's harbour on a girdle,
B'e sin a' chearc a' gairm roimh 'n choileach.
That were the hen crowing before the cock.
Triste es la casa, doude la gallina canta, y el gallo calla. Span.
49
B'e sin ainnieacbadh b air buacliaille, 's a toirt uaithe
'feasgar.
50
B'e sin an salann 'g a chur 's a' mhuir.
Putting salt into the sea.
Bwrw heli yn y mr. Welsh.
B'e sin fiodh a chur do Lochabar.
That were sending wood to Lochaber.
B' e sin im a chur do thigh irich.
That were sending butter to a dairyman's house.
Sending owls to Athens. Gr. Sending pines to Norway.
Dan. Carrying coaLs to Newcastle. Engl. Ca'in saut to Dysart,
and puddin's to Tranent. Scot. Taking blades to Damascus
Arab. Pepper to Hindostan. Pers. Cockles to St. Michel i^'r.
B'e sin an seangan a' toirt greim' a gearran.
That were the ant biting the gelding.
B'e sin an tuagh a thoirt a limh an t-saoir.
That were to take the axe out of the carpenters hand.
B'e sin buille 's a' cheann 'us seachainn am muineaL
That were hitting the head, and avoiding the neck.
B'e sin cead iarraidh rd a bhualadh air birnich.
That ivere asking leave to lift a limpet.
Literally, ' to strike a hammer on a limpet '. Limpets, which
are much used as bait in the Highlands and Islands, are naturally
considered free to all mankind. The tool used lor detaching them
is called ' rd-birnich,' though generally it is a chisel rather than
a hammer. A huge block of trap, which has slipped from the
face of a cliff in one of the islands of Loch Bracadale in Skye, is
called ' Ord-birnich Fhinn,' Fingal's limpet-hammer.
B'e sin faire 'chlamhain air na cearcan.
That were the kite's tvatch over the heros.
Such protection as vultures give to lambs. Pizarro.
B'e sin greim de 'n easgainn air a h-err.
That were taking the eel by the tail.
B'e sin " Ho ! " fada bho'n chrodh.
That ivere a call far from the cows.
Out of place, or before the time.
B'e sin iasad an Deamhain do 'n mhuileann.
TJiat were the Devil's loan to the mill.
Bled an Diaoul the Devil's meal. Breton.
There are proverbs of various nations, implying a disbelief in
the honesty of millers, and this seems to be one of them.
51
B'e sin latha 'thogail do shaic, 's cha b' ann do 'n
mhuileann.
TJmt was the day for lifting your sacks, hut not to ths
mill.
This refers either to a creach, or " lifting " of property against
the owner's will, or to a flitting.
B'e sin marag earbsa ris a' ch dhubh.
That ivere trusting a piidding to the black dog.
B'e sin na smiaran-dubha 's an rhaoilleach.
TJiat were the hramhle-herrics in Fchricary.
Said of anything out of season.
B'e sin saoradh air ceann a' choin bhradaich.
TJiat ivere cdisolving the thievish dog.
B'e sin urras gun earras, mise 'dhol 'an urras ortsa.
That were the security ivithoiit substance, ivere I to
warrant thee.
Beag agiis beag eisg so, ach tuilleadh agus tuilleadh
as an t-seilbh chiadna.
Little fish this, but there s more and more in the same
store.
Said when one gets a small fish to begin with. Somewhat
similar is, ' Fuil air iasg ! mharbh mi sgioUag '.
Beag idh ort !
Small luck to you !
Al. Beagan pisich.
Bean a tigh-mor 'us bo a baile, cha fhreagair an duine
bochd.
A wife from the big house, and a coio from a farm,
wont suit the poor man.
The wife accustomed to the style of a gentleman's house
might probably be ill to please in a poor thatched cottage ; and a
tine Ayrshire cow would be more difficult to keep than a hardy
Highland one.
. Bean fhada, chaol, dhireach, miann DhnuiU amadain.
Tlie fool Donald's fancy, a tcdl, slender, straight
wife.
Probably the fancy of the A^ase man who invented this saying
was a stout, strong, and what is called in the Lowlands a ' wiselike ' woman.
52
Bean 'g a bhuain, dall 'g a mheangadh, ciiraiclli 'g a
shniomh ; 's figli an reamhar air a' chaol, ma 's math leat
an taod a bhi buan.
A woman to pluck it, a blind man to lop it, a strong man
to twist it; and imave the thick on the thin, if you %vish
your rope to last.
This refers to the making of a rope of birch or willow twigs. A
woman would choose nice twigs, and a blind man would use his
knife cautiously.
Bean 'g a thre'igsinn, 'iis stiir 'g a dhiltadh.
Wife forsaking him, and helm disobeying.
A very sad predicament.
Bean ruadh dhnbh-shuileach, c lachdunn las-shnileacli, fear an f built dbuibh 's na fiasaige ruaidhe, na tri
cmblaicbean a 's mios' air bitb.
A red-haired black-eyed ivoman, a dun fiery -eyed dog, a
black-haired red-bearded man, the three unlucJdest to
meet.
Another Gaelic saving aboiit the red beard and the black
head is, 'Feara'chinn duibh 's na fiasaige ruaidhe, co'thuig riamh
a ndur 1 ' Still more emj^hatic are ' Fear a' chinn duibh, &c., na
teirig eadar e 's a chreag,' and the old English rhyme,
A red beard and a black head,
Catch him with a good trick and take him dead.
Beannachd a sbaoid 's a sbiubbail leis ! bitheadh e
'nochd far an robb e 'n raoir.
The blessing of his state and his journey be with him !
Let him be to-night where he was last night.
This is like an Oriental expression of hospitality.
Beannachd Chaluim ghobha 'mo thogair ged nach
till '.
Smith 3falcolm's blessing Tcare not if he come not back.
Beannachd dhiit fbein, ach mollachd do d' oid'-ionnsachaidh !
Blessing to thyself, but a curse on thy teacher!
Beannachd 'n an siubhal 's 'n an imeachd ! 'S c 'n
diugh Dihaoine, cha chluinn iad sinne.
Blessing on their going and icay! This is Friday, they
wont hear us.
53
Beatha Chon'aiii 'am measg nan deamhan : Ma 's olc
dhomh clia 'n fhearr dhaibh.
Conans life among the demons: If bad for me, for
them no better.
Conan is one of the principal characters celebrated in the
Fenian Legends, and the only disagreeable one. He is called
' aimlisg na Finne,' the mischief of the Fenians, and is described
as rash, quarrelsome, and meddlesome. He visited Ifriun (Hell)
in search of some of his departed friends, and gave as good as he
got there to the fiends. Sir Walter Scott picked rrp this story,
and made use of it in Waverley, where Mrs. Flockhart asks, "And
will ye face thae tearing chields, the dragoons, Ensign Maccombich ? " " Claw for claw, as Conan said to Satan, Mrs.
Flockhart, and the deevil tak' the shortest nails."
"Is olc do- bheatha 'Chonain!" is another saying in reference
to this legend.
Beathaich thusa mis' an diugh, 'us beathaichidh mis'
thus' am mireach.
Feed tJioit me to-day, and Til feed thee to-morrow.
Beinn Nibheis mhor a' glaodliaicli 'n a laidhe-siblila,
's clia d'thinig aisde ach an luchag flieir.
Great Ben JSfevis crying in travail, and nothing came
of it hut a field-mouse.
This, no doubt, is a mere version of " Parturiunt montes," but
it has the merit of local colouring.
Beiridli am beag trie air a' mhor ainmig.
The little quick ivill overtake the big sloic.
Beiridh bean mac, ach 's e Dia a ni an t-oighre.
A tvoman may hear a son, hut God makes the keir.
Haeredem Deus facit, non homo. Coke.
Beiridh tu air a bhi gu math 'n uair a thig d' f hiasag.
Yo7i ivill he a good, one by the time your beard grows.
Said ironically to forward young people.
Be' bochd gun airgead, mar a bha'n t-Albannach
roimhe.
Foor living without money, as the Scot of old had.
Beus na tuath far am bitear is e a nitear.
Tiie manners of the folk one lives among vnll he followed.
Thy neighbour is thy teacher. Live with him who pravs, and
thou pray est. Live with the singer, and thou singest. Arab.
54
He who herds with the wolves will howl. Fr., Ital, Span.,
Germ., Dan.
When you are at Rome, do as Rome does. Eng.
B' fhada bho 'cheile crodh laoidh an da sheanar.
Far apart were the milk-coias of their grandfathers.
Said ot Yjersoiis whose ancestors were far removed from each
other in place or position ; e.g. , marrying out of one's sphere.
B' f liaid a 'bhitheadh donas a droch-nihnaoi na bhitliinn-sa 'deanamh sin.
A shrew s ill nature loould he longer out of her than
1 wonld he about that.
In other words, I should do it " in no time ".
B' f hasa Eoghan a chur air each.
'Tivere easier to put Ewen on horsehach
In A. Campbell's note on this, he says it alludes to M'Neill of
Barra, but that is doubtful. Macintosh, in his note on another
proverb. ' Cha '"n ann a' h-uile la a theid MacNiU air each,' says,
" There is an ingenious sarcastical description of setting MacNeil
on hofseback, in Gaelic, in my hands, setting forth the grandeur,
antiquity, and valour of MacNeil of Barra." A version of that
curious composition, got in 1859 from the recitation of a man in
Blair Athol, is given in Mr. J. F. Campbell's Leabhar na Feinne,
pp. 210, 211. After an elaborate description of the dressing and
arming of Ewen, the extraordinary virtues of his steed, and the
splendour of his harness, the ignominious fiasco is thus briefly
told ' 'S chaidh e trj uaii'ean tiomchioll an traich, 's ghabh e
eagal nior, 's phill e.' He went three times round the dunghill,
took a great fright, and returned !
Another version, called ' Cli Eobhain,' curiously differing
from the above, is given by Mr. D. C. Macpherson in the Gael,
Vol. IV,, pp. 112, 113. It was copied from a MS. in the Irish
character, apparently about a century old.
B' f hearr a bhi gun bhreith na 'bhi gun teagasg.
Better unhorn than untaught.
The English is that of Heywood, given in Hazlitt's EugHsh
Proverbs, with this old rhyme
A chyld were better to be unbore,
Than to be untaught, and so be lore.
55
B' f hearr a' chreach a thighinn do 'n tr, na maduinn
mhn 's an Fhaoilleach fhuar.
Better foray corning to the land than mild morning
in the cold inonth of storms.
Share craght ve sy cheer, na mee ny maiinan (inwnth of kids)
cheet stiagh meein. Manx.
The Faoilleach, or Faoillteach, was the name gwen to the
time of year nearly corresponding to the present month of
February, usually a time of storms and cold. Mild weather at
this time was and is regarded as unseasonable, and not to be
desired. Some other proverbs to the same effect as the above ^vill
be found further on. See 'Faoilleach'. Of old English and
Scottish ones are the following :
February fill the dike,
Either ^^ith the black or white,
But if it be white it's the better to like.
The hind had as lief see his wife on the bier,
As that Candlemas Day should be pleasant and clear.
A' the months o' the year
Curse a fair Februeer.
B' f hearr a leth an de, na gu lir an dmgh.
Better the half yesterday than the ichole to-day.
'OfceTat xo-pi^Tes ykvKvrepai. Gr. Anth.
Bis dat qui cito dat. Lat.
The best generosity is the quick. Arab.
One to-day is worth two to-morrow. Eng.
En Skilling er i Tide saa god som en Daler. Dan.
E meglio aver oggi un novo che domani una gallina. Ital.
Mas vale iin ' toma' que dos ' te dare '. (S)ja?i.
B' f hearr cumail a muigh na cur a mach.
Better keep out than put out.
B' f hearr dha bonnach 'us toll 'am bruicheadh e e.
Better for him were a cake and a hole to lake it in.
56
B' fheari- leam 'fhaicinn na 'cliluinntinn.
/ would rather sec it than hear it.
Seeing is believing. Arab., Eng., Scot.
Chi con r occhio vede, col cuor crede.Ital.
Die Augen glauben sich. selbst, die Ohren andern Lenten. Gerra.
Hooren zeggen is half gelogen. Dutch.
B' f hearr siiidhe lmh ri fear-cuthaicli na lmli ri fearlomnochd.
Better sit next a madman than next a nahed man.
' Naked ' here means needy. It may be intended to signify
that a destitute man is apt to be dangerous, as another proverb
indicates, ' 'S ionaun fear na 'eigin 's fear a' chuthaich,' and the
Latiii, ' Esurienti ne occurras '.
B' iliialaidh an coileach mu cliuid an eich.
The cock was very hountifid with the horses corn.
Ai. Fialachd mhath mu chuid chich.
Hens are free of horse corn. Scot.
Bha " beir 's cha bheir " aige.
It teas " catch and won't catch " vnth him.
Said of one Avho just misses, or all but misses a thing.
Bha caochladh climlie 'n cl Chaluim.
There vjere various wools in Malcolm's cloth.
Said of persons whose character or works are inconsistent or
heterogeneous.
Bha dorus Fhinn do 'n nrach fial.
FingaVs door was free to the needy.
In the ballad called ' Urnuigh Oisein ' [Leabliar na Feinne, pp.
41-46, Gael, I. 83), consisting of a dialogue between Ossian and
St, Patrick, Patrick says
Ge beag a' chuil chrnanach,
'Us mnaran na greine,
Gun fhios do 'n Righ mhralach,
Cha teid f ho bliil' a sgeithe.
Small as is the humming gnat,
And the mote in sunbeam,
Unknown to the majestic King,
They pass not 'neath his wing.
To this Ossian replies
'N saoil thu 'm b' ionann e 's Mac Cumhail,
An righ 'bh' againn air na Fiannaibh ;
Dh' f haodadh gach neach 'bha air thalamb
Teachd 'n a thalla-san gun iarraidh.
57
Think'st thnii then to equal him
To oiir KiiiL,^, the son of Cliai ?
All the worhl mLjht enter in
To his hall unbidden.
Bha e 'n a dhlth 's 'n a iuneach air.
He was both waiy and woof to it.
He was the body and soul of the thing.
' Dliith glic agus inneach grach ' is said of a person whO'
seems foolish, but is really wise.
Bha gnothuichean mor an Aoraisge.
There were great doings at Uriskei/.
Eriskey is a small island in Loch Crerar. The story goes,
that the Avife of the laird of Airds (long ago) kept a paramour on
this island, whom she treated luxuriously. The family fool got
A\-ind of it, and went on repeating, " Great doings at Eriskey,"
till his master inquired into the matter.
Bha iasad a ghabhail 's a thoirt, riamh air feadh an
t-saoghail.
Borroioing and lending were always in fashion.
Bha la eile aig fear na bracha.
The maltman had other days
58
Bha rad-eigin de dh' uisge far 'na bhthadh an gamhainn.
There's aye some vmter whaur the stirkie droons. Scot.
Bha sid 'an dan da.
That was fated for him.
Bha thii 'd' shlint' an uair a chaidh do chta
'dheanamh.
You were in good health when your coat was made.
Said to one whose coat is too wide.
Bheir a h-uile Didmhnuich seaclidain leis.
Every Sunday brings a week with it.
Bheir aon duine triir bhrr an ratliaid.
One man will lead three off the road.
Bheir aon fhear each gn uisge, ach cha toir da f hear
dhiag air 'l.
59
Blieir mis' ort nach l thu bainne bhrr spin.
I'll make you so that you, cant drink milk front a spoon.
This forcible form of threat comes from the Hebrides.
Bheir na daoine beaga rud as an speur clio luath ris
iia daoine mora.
Little people will bring things from the sky as soon as
hig ones.
A hint to big people that they need not aim at things too
high even for them. A similar saying is, ' Thoir thusa rionnag
as an speur, 's bheir mise nuas t' eile '. Bring you a star dovni
from the sky, and I'll bring another.
60
whicli Paturday or Sunday would be preferred, would get his linir
cut on Thursday. Why Monday should be preferred for paring
nails it is hard to see, except that doing it on Sunday was unlucky.
'Bhi 'fadadh teine fa loch,
61
and some other clan. The beach at Castle Bay, in Barra, where
the chief resided, abounds in sea-worn stones, piled up by the
Atlantic waves.
Bho'n is tu 'mharcaich an t-eacli, criidh e.
Since you have ridden the horse, shoe him.
Blio'n limh gus am bial, cuibhrionn a 's f liearr air bitli.
From hand to 'mouth, the best of all portions.
This saying, inconsistent with modern wisdom, but not with
primitive Christianity, is neutralised by the following one.
Bho'n limli gus am bial, cha dean e duine coir am
feasda.
From hand to mouth tvill never make a loorthy
man.
Bho nacli banachaig mi, cha blii mi 'trod mu'ii fliiar.
As I am not a dairymaid, I won't quarrel about the
grass.
1 won't dispute about what is not in my province.
Bho nach fhaodmi beantainn do'n ghiadh mhor, pronnaidh mi na h-iseanan.
As I cannot touch the big goose, I'll pound the goslings.
If I canna kep guse, I'H kep gaislin. Scoi. Very probably
said first by a fool, who got bitten by a gander. See Lover's
Essay on Fools, in ^Legends of Ireland'. But there is much of human
natiire in the sentiment. Even kings and statesmen have exemplified it.
Bho nach
Since tt
This, if
a better
63
Bial a labhras, ach gniomli a dhearbhas.
The mouth speaks, hut the deed proves.
See ' Air mhud 's a their.'
Bial gnu fhitheam.
A mouth without hem.
64
Bidh an luaireagan-liuitha 'n a iiallachan gille.
The child that grovels in the ashes unll be a joMnty lad.
Bidh an osna dheireannacli criteach.
The last sigh will he, grievous.
Bidh an tubaist a'ruith nan clibistean.
Mishap follows upon misadventure.
Bidh an t-ubhal a's fhearr air a' mheaugan a 's irde.
Tlie best ajjjyle is on the highest bough.
Die siissesten Trauben hangen am liochsten. Germ.
" Happy would that nation be " says Macintosh, in the Dedication of his collection to the Earl of Buchan, " where every person
of distingnislied rank would endeavour to distinguish himself
still more essentially, by being beneficial to the public, and thereby confirm our old Gaelic saying ' Bithidh meas is fearr,' &c ''
Bidh bean-mhuinntir aig an fheannaig a's t-Fhoghar.
The crow has a maidservant in Autumn.
Said of people who keep more servants than they need.
Bidh boladh a' mhairbh de 'n limh f halaimh.
The empty hand will smell like the dead.
This is one of the most emphatic sayings on the evils of poverty.
Bidh breith luath lochdach.
A hasty judgment will be hurtful.
Al. Cha tug breith luath nach tug da uair.
He v:ho judges hastily must judge twice.
De fol juge breve sentence. Fr.
Bidh cas an ein ghraich 's an ribe.
The silly bird's foot will go into the snare.
Bidh cnothan aig Iain f hathasd : ' Ma bhitheas, cnagadh Iain iad,' arsa Muisean.
John will have nuts yet : If he has, let him crack them,
said the mean dfivil.
Bithidh e cho mor ri cnoc,
Mu'm faic diiine f hein a lochd.
Ere a man his fault can see,
Big as mountain it ivill be.
Al. Bidh cron duine cho mor ri beinn, mu'n leir dha fhein e.
Bidh cuid an amadain 'am bial a bhuilg.
65
Bidh Dihaoine 'an aghaidh na seachdain.
Friday will he contra ly to the week.
Selde is the Friday all the weke y-like. Chaucer.
This groundless fancy is perhaps connected with the siTpposed
unluckiuess of Friday.
Bidh dra aig fear na h-eadraiginn.
The interposer will get struek.
Cha d-tainig fear an eadarsgin saor a riarah. Ir.
Bidh dull ri fear-fairge, ach cha bhi ri fear-rdilge.
There is hope of the man at sea, hut none of the man in
the churchyard.
Bidh dull ri fear-feachda, ach cha bhi ri fear-lice.
The man of war may return, hut not the hurled man.
At. Bidh diiil ri bial cuain, ach cha bhi ri bial uaigh.
Biann sil le muir, acht cha bhiann sil le cill. Ir.
Bidh e geal 'n uair a thiormaicheas e, mu'n dubhairt
an droch bhean-nighe.
It will he white when it dries, as the had washerwoman
said.
Bidh fear na foille fotha. The deceitful will he clown.
Bidh fear na h-aon bho uair gun bhainne.
The man of one cow will sometimes loant milk.
Bidh fnn air gille nan lb, 's e h-uile rud r a 's
fhearr.
The volatile youth's desire all that's new is hest.
Changes are lichtsome, and fules are fond of them. Scoi.
Bidh gach fear a' tarruing uisge gu 'mhuileann fhin.
Each draws water to his own mill.
Chacun tire 1' eau son moulin. B\.
Ognun tira 1' acqua al suo molino. It.
67
Bidh tu be am bliadhna.
You will survive this year.
Said to a person who suddenly appears when being spoken of.
Bidh uan diibh aig caora bhin, 's nan ban aig caora
dhuibh.
A ivhite sheep may have a black lamb, and a black
sheep a white one.
Biodh aice an rudha a bheir i 'mach.
Let her take the point she can clear.
Said of a boat, and applicable to human beings.
Biodh e dubh no odhar no donn, 's toigh leis a' ghobhair a meanu.
Be it black or dun or broivn, the goat likes her own kid.
Every craw thinks her ain bird white. Scot.
Jeder Mutter Kind ist schon. Germ.
Biodh e reamhar no caol, 's mairg nach beathaicheadh laogh dlia f hein.
Be it fat or lean, pity the man that won't rear a calf
for himself.
This was said of a fairy changeling, which turned out such a
miserable object that some one seriously proposed that it should
be thrown into the burn. The father made the above answer.
Biodh earalas mirlich agad air gach neach, ach na
dean mirleach de neach idir.
Be cautious with every one as if with a thief, but make
a thief of no one.
68
B a' bhuabhaiU-thulclioinn.
The cow of the end-stall.
The saying in Lochaber is, ' Am mart a bliios 's a' bhuabhaillthulchainn, is toigh' leath' e' The cow in the end-stall likes it.
The original meaning of the word 'tulchann' is simply 'gable,'
' end,' ' stern '. The ' buabhall-thulchainn,' or end-staU was the
innermost in the row, and was used for the accommodation
of a cow that had lost her calf, in place of which a stuffed imitation-calf was brought in whenever she was to be milked. Hence
came the application of the word ' tulchann ' to the imaginary
calf, and of the term 'tulchan-bishop' to persons appointed to that
office in Scotland after the Eeformation, simply as receiversgeneral of the temporalities, for the benefit of the baron or his
creatures. ' The Bishop had the title, but my Lord got the milk
or commoditie.' Calderwood's Hist, of the Ch. of Scotland, cited in
Jamieson's Diet. s. v. Tulchane.
Bo mhaol 'am buaile choimhich.
A hornless cow in a strange fold.
Bo mhaol odhar, 's bo odhar mhaol.
A polled dun coiv, and a dun polled cow.
Six and half-a-dozen.
B mhor 'n a h-aon atha-grthain.
A hig cow all liver.
An old woman in Lewis, living with her married son, went
out to look at the weather on a snowy night. Her son asked her,
when she came in, what sort of night it was. " Tha," ars ise,
" oidhche rionnagach, reulach, gun turadh, gim ghaoith, gun uisge."
" Seadh, gu dearbh ! " ars esan, " 's iongantach da rireadh an
oidhch' i." " Seadh," ars ise, " ach 's iongantaiche na sin bo
mhor a bhi 'n a h-aon atha-grthain." Her daughter-in-law had
been for days serving up the liver of a lately killed cow, and nothing else, till the old woman could stand it no longer. A similar
story is told, in Lochaber, of a deaf and dumb girl and her stepmother. The girl spoke for the first and last time on being asked
what sort of night it was : " Tlia oidhche ghaothar, ghaothar, 's
i gu fiathail, fiathail, i gu soilleir, soilleir, 's i gu doilleir dorcha ;
a' ghaoth a shios 's an t-uisg' a shuas." Her stepmother said it
was strange. " Seadh," ars ise, '' ach 's iongantaiche na sin gur
h-ainean uil' am mart !" Yes, but more strange is it that the cow
is all Hver ! And she spoke never more.
Bochd 's rud agam, bochd 's mi f alamh ; bidh mi bochd
ri m' bhe.
Poor when I have, poor when I haven't, poor I'll ever he.
Boght, boght dy brgh. Manx.
69
Bodach eadar dha cheathairne.
An old man between two bands.
An odd man in a game, such as shinty, who, after each leader
has chosen his side, ,L,'ets the unenviable position of assisting the
losing side. " Bodach leth-bhaireach " is another term of the same
meaning.
Bogha dh'iughar Easragain,
Ite firein Locha-Treig,
Ceir bhuidhe Bhaile-na-Gailbhinn,
'S ceann bho'n cheard Mac Plieidearam
Bow from yeiv of Esragin,
Eagle feather from Loch Treig,
Yellow wax from Galway town,
Arrow-head by Mae-Phederan.
This verse, descriptive of the best kind of bow and arrows, is
quoted by Dr. Smith in his " Sean Dana," p. 4. Esragin is on
the N. side of Loch Etive, Loch Treig to the E. of Ben Nevis.
The MacPhederans were celebrated smiths.
Boid a' bhird ris a' chaisteal, 's an caisteal 'g a thrtigsinn.
Tlie bard's voio to the castle, when the castle turned its
hack on him.
Al. Mionnan a bhird, &c. 'cha teid mi fhein do 'n chaisteal
bhreun, cha teid, cha leig iad ann mi ! I won^t go to the vile
castle no they won't let me ! '
Boid ciaraig ris na fearaibh, 's boid nam fear ri ciaraig.
The swarthy maid's vow against tJie men, and the men's
VOID against her.
Never to marry one of them ! See ' Is dubh '.
Boinn' 'am bial na gaoithe.
A drop in the wind's mouth,
Al. Uisg' 'am bun an t-soirbhis a wind prophesying rain. A
counter-saying is, ' Cha 'n e fead a' bhainn' a th' ann,' It is not
the milk-whistle, i.e., the sound of the wind does not prognosticate rain, which makes the grass to grow and the milk to flow.
Boinne snitlie 'n ceann na leapach.
A drop from the roof at the bed-head.
One of the ideals of discomfort.
Bonnach a mhealladh cloinne oir thiiigh 'us cridhe
tana.
A cake to cozen children thick edqe and thin heart.
70
Bonnach air bois, cha bhruich 's cha loisg.
A cake on the pahn won't toast or hum.
B'olc an airidh gu'n deanadh an turadh dolaidh.
'Twere a inty that dry vjeather should do harm.
It's a pity fair weather should e'er do harm Scot.
Breac a linne, slat a coille, 's fiadh a fireach, mirle
nach do ghabh duine riamh ilir' aisde.
A fish from the pool, a ivand from the wood, a deer
from the mountain thefts no man ever was ashamed of.
Al. Slat a coille, fiadh a doire, breac a buinne tri rudan as
nach do ghabh Gaidheal nire riamh.
The free doctrine of this old saying is still held in the Highlands, but there is very little poaching, notwithstanding.
Breunan 'us Fudaidh 'an cuideachd a cheile.
Dirty and RuhMshy going together.
A Lewis proverb, taken from a verse by John Morrison of
Bragar, on having sent two servants to pull heather :
Chuir mise Breunan 'us Fudaidh
A bhuain fraoich 'an cuideachd a cheile;
Thug Breunan dhachaidh an cudthrum,
'S thug Fudaidh dhachaidh na geugan.
71
Bruidheami bheag 'us fuaim dhrn.
Low speaking and sound of fists.
Bu cheannach learn d'ubh air do ghloc.
Your egg is dear for so much cackling.
Bu cho math dol a dh'iasgach gun mhaorach 's dol a
chirt gun sporan.
As ivell go fishing vjithout hait as to court without
purse.
Bu choir an t-iasad a chur dhachaidh a' gireachdaich.
The loan shotdd he sent laughing home.
A loan (or len') should come laughing home. Eng. and Scot.
This pretty saying may be taken to apply both to the giving of
the loan and the retm-ning of it. To lend freely is to send the
borrower home smiling ; to send the loan back laughing is to
repay liberally.
Bu dual da .sin.
That ivas his birthright.
This is one of the most familiar and characteristic sayings in
the Highlands, where the belief in blood and hereditary tendencies
and claims is very strong. It is difficult to translate it literally.
It might be paraphrased, ' That is what you might expect of his
father and mother's son '. The four following proverbs have the
same import.
Bu dual do isean an rin a dhol thun na mara.
The young seal takes naturally to the sea.
Bu dual do laogh an f heidh ruith a bhi aige.
It is natural for thefaiun to he swift of foot.
Bu dual do'n bhlthaich tchd an ime.
Ifs natural that huttermilk should smell of butter.
Bu dual do'n mheann meagad a dheanamh.
Ifs natural for the kid to bleat.
Bu gheur an c a bheireadh an t-earball uaithe.
It woidd he a clever dog that would take the tail from
him.
Bu la eil' e do dh-f hear buain na mine.
It is change of days for him who is cutting peats.
Once well to do, now a Gibeonite.
Bu mhath an teachdair thu 'shireadh an Aoig.
You would be a good messenger to send for Death.
Egli buono a mandarlo per la morte. Ital.
72
Bii mhath an t-iasad mur h-iarrteadh ritliist e.
The loan were good hut for the repaying.
Bu mhath an cudaig far nach faight' an saoidhean.
The cuddy is good when no saithe can be got.
The young saithe is in some parts of Scotland called 'cuddy,'
in others ' podly,' in Shetland ' sillock '. It is alleged of the
inhabitants of a certain island near Skye, that they go even
further than this proverb, and say, ' 'S math a' sgadan 'n uair
nach fhaighear an saoidhean '. The herring is good, &c. But
they now resent this as a weak invention of the enemy.
73
Buainidh aon fhacal ciad.
75
Crdeas Chonain ris na deamhain.
Conan' s friendship for the devils.
' Cuff for cuff.' See ' Beatha Chonain '.
Cirdeas na cleire sgiiobadh 'us sgrbadh a cheile.
The friendship of the clergy scrcqjing and seratching
each other.
' C'ite 'bheil thu, 'dlireathainn-duinn ? ' ars an iolair.
' Tha mis' an so, os do chionn/ ars an dreathann-donn.
Where art thou, wren? said the eagle. I am here,
above thee, said the wren.
The wren and eagle had a trial which would soar highest.
After a considerable ascent, the eagle could see the wren nowhere,
and made the above inquiry. The wren was all the time perched
on the eagle's back !
C'it' am biodh na puirt nach faigheadh na clrsairean ?
Where would the tunes he the harpers coidd 7iot find
Caitb mar a gbeabli, 's gheabh mar a chaitheas.
Spend as you get, and you'll get as you spend.
There is that scattereth and yet Lncreaseth. Prov. xi. 24.
Caitheamh criontaig air a cualaig.
The seruh's spending of her little faggot.
Caitbidh bo ri bleothann, agus eacb ri treabhadh.
Coios wear ivith milking, and horses ivith ploughing.
Caithidh domhan duine.
The world wears out man.
Call caraid' taghal trie, 's call caraid' taghal ainmig.
Friends are lost by calling often, and by calling seldom.
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house, lest he be
weary of thee, and hate thee. Prov. xxvi. 17.
A casa de tu hermano no iras cada serano. Span.
Calum beag a chur a dliith, gu Murcbadh mor a
reamhracbadh.
Starving little Malcolm to fatten big Murdoch.
Eobbing Peter to pay Paul.
Camaronaicb bhog an ime.
The soft buttery Camerons.
This, like most similar sayings about clans, originated, of course,
among enemies. The Camerons were said to be very fond of
butter ; but who could deny that they were brave ?
76
Caomhain 's co dh ? cuimhnicli am has.
Save and for whovi rememher death.
It is said in the Teachd. Gael, Vol. I., p. 282, that this excellent
saying was found engraved on a stone at the top of Ben Lawers,
but no authority is given for the statement.
Caomhnadh a' chama-chnodaiii, caomhnadh a' s miosa
na caitheamh.
The saving of the crooked gurnet, vjorse than siJending.
Applied to mean gruff persons.
Caomhnadh math air a' bheagan Bhenrla, 's a' Ghalltachd gu leir romhainn t
Be sparing of the little English, with the whole Lowlands in front of us !
Said by an old man to his son on their way to the Falkirk
market when the son, who had a little more English than the old
man, began to air it at Dumbarton.
Caora luideagach a theid 's an dris, fgaidh i 'h-olainn
's an dos.
The ragged shee2) that goes into the briers will leave her
wool there.
Car 'an aghaidh ciiir. Turn against twists
Diamond cut diamond.
Car tuathal d' aimhleis ort !
The left about unluckg turn to you t
This is founded on the old idea, that motion in the course of
tlie sun was lucky, and in the opposite direction unlucky. ' Car
tuathal ' literally means ' northward turn '. See * Deiseal '.
Carghus a' chion, an Carghus a's miosa 'th'ann.
Lent for want is worst of Lent.
Fasting for sheer want of food.
Carghus, Ir. Carghios, Manx, Cargys, Welsh, Garawys, =
Quadragesima.
Cas air creathaill, 's lmh 'an cuigeil, comharradh na
deagh mhna-tighe.
Foot to cradle, hand to distaff, mark the good housewife.
The foot at the cradle, the hand at the reel, is a sign that a
woman means to do weel. (Scoi.
77
Casan toram Chlann-an-Tisicli.
The dry feet of the Maeintoshes.
This refers to some occasion when the Macintoshes were siipposed by their enemies to have been unduly averse to wetting
their feet. ' Fadal Chlann-an-Tisich ' is of the same sort.
Cat a' chinn bhig, 's bean a' chinn mlioir.
The sviall-headed cat, the hig -headed ivoman.
Supposed to be best of their kind.
Ctachaidh am biadh fiadh na beinne.
Food will tame the mountain deer.
Cath ceann an teallaicli.
The fireside hattle.
Al. Cath bun an t. Macintosh ascribes this saying to Hay,
the mythical founder of the Errol family. The story is, that
being asked by Kenneth III. after the battle of Loncarty, in
which he decided the day, if he had ever been in a harder fight,
he replied that he had a harder battle every day at home, a scolding wife, crying children, and little to give them.
Cead na caillich do 'n laogh mhear.
The old wife's leave to the frisky calf
When she could hold it no longer.
Ceangail teann, 'us faigh teaminte.
Fast Und, fast find. Eng., Scot., Fr., &c.
Kiangle myr noid (nmhaid), as yiow (gheabh) myr carrey
(charid). Manx.
Shut doors after you : fast bind, fast find,
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
Alerch. of Ven. II. 5.
Ceangal nigbean an righ air a leannan.
The king's daughter's tie to her lover.
Easily broken.
Ceann cndain, 's ceann sgadain, 's ceann goibbr' air
dhroch fbeannadh, tri cinn uach fhiach itheadli.
A gurnet's head, a herring's head, and an ill-flayed
goat's head, three heads not fit to eat.
Ceann dearg air na bbeil a muigb !
78
Ceann giiin air madainn Earraich,
'S mairg a chailleadh a cliaomh charaid.
A Spring morning toith a stinging head.
WJio would lose his loell-loved friend ?
The connection of the two ideas here is far from being obvious.
The meaning seems to be, that, as a bitter Spring morning is often
followed by a fine day, so is the displeasure of a friend not to be
taken as a ground for serious quarrel.
Ceann mdr air duine giic, 's ceann-circ' air amadan.
Big head on ivise man, hen's head on fool.
This is more correct as a general observation than the Scotch
' Muckle head and little vit,' the German ' Dickkopf, Dummkopf,'
the French ' Grosse tte, peu de sens,' the Irish 'Cionn mr air
bheagan cille,' and the Manks, ' Kione mooar er j beggan cheilly '.
Ceann mor 'us muineal eaol, aogas an droch ghamlina.
Big head and slender neck mark the bad stirk.
Al, 'Casan caol.'
Ceann nathrach
Spring loith a
March comes in
cock's tail.
Eng.
Cearc a' dol a dh-iarraidh geidh.
A hen going in quest of a goose.
Al. Ubh na circe, &c.
The hen's egg gaes to the ha', to bring the goose's egg awa'.
Scot.
sion, &c.
Ceist bradaig air briagaig.
The question of the thief to the liar.
Asking for a certificate of character. See * Aontachadh '.
Ceithir biisacha fichead 'an He, 's ceithir rdacha fichead 'am Mnile,
Twenty - four " buses " in Islay, and tiventy-four
"Ards" in Mull.
A common termination of names of places in Islay is ' bus ' or
80
'bos' (generally 'bost' in Skye and Lewis), from the Norse * bolstaS ' or * bustaSr/ a dwelling-place. The Gaelic prefix 'rd'or
' ird,' a height or promontory, is common in Mull and elsewhere.
Ceo Foghair, sneachd Earraicli.
Atitwrnifog, Sirring snow.
Cum air do clieurn, a chailleach, 's an ceum barrachd
aig Eoghan.
Step for step to thee, old woman, and the odd step to
Ewen.
The story is that Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel, coming once
from Inverness, was overtaken by a witch, who tried hard to pass
him. ' Ceum ann, Eoghain,' said she. He answered as above,
keeping one step ahead of her, which he maintained all the way
till they reached Ballachulish ferry, when he hailed the boat, and
got in. The ferryman wouldn't allow the witch to come in, on
which she took leave of Sir E., saying, ' Drachd mo chridhe
dhut, a ghaoil Eoghain'! My heart's desire to thee, dear Ewen !
Sir E. knew what was what, and replied 'Drachd do chridhe do'u
chloich ghlais ud thall '. Thy heart's desire to that gray stone
yonder. And at that moment the gray stone split in two ! (See
Gael, Vol. IV., p. 113.) That split stone is still pointed out on
the spot where it happened.
Cha b'ann air brochan 16m dubh, 's bainne 'chruidh
mhialaich a's t-Earrach, a chaidh d' rach.
It was not on thin Hack gruel and milk of lousy
Spring cows you were reared.
Cha b'ann 'an uchd a mhthar a bh e.
It was not in his mother's lap he was.
Said of one roughly handled.
Cha b'ann as do bhogha f hin a thilg thu 'n t-saighead.
It VMS not from your own low you sent that arroio.
Cha b'ann de na h-eoin thu mur bitheadh am bad ort.
You woiddn't be of the birds, if you hadn't the tuft.
Cha b'ann mar a f huair Mac-Eslain na mnathan.
Not as MacRuslan got the loomen.
This person, a kind of Celtic Eulenspiegel, figures in several
stories under the various names of MacRsgail, MacCrislig, MacRslaig, and MacRuslan. The above saying is founded on an
apocryphal story of his having found his way, disguised as a
woman, into a nunnery on an island in Loch Tay, or, according
to another version, in lona. (See Campbell's W. H. T., Vol. II.,
pp. 304-27. See also Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides, Carruthers'
Ed. p. 129.)
81
Cha b'e 'cheannach a rinn e.
It was not by purchase he got it.
It comes by kind, it costs him nothing. Eng.
Cha b'e am muileann nach meileadh, ach an t-iiisge
nacli ruitheadh.
It was not the mill that tvouldnt grind, hut the vjater
that vjouldn't run.
Cha b'e an la am fear nach tigeadh.
The day tuill come, come v:ho may.
Cha b'e la na gaoithe la nan sgolb.
Tlie ivindy day is not the day for thatch-wattles.
The ' sgolb ' is a wattle, generally of willow, used for fastening the thatch, and the meaning is that the fastening of the thatch
must not be left till the wand comes and lifts it Ulster proverb
in same words.
Cha b'e 'n cl ciar nach b' fhiach 'f hcadh.
It's not the dark home-made cloth that deserves not
fulling.
This may be held to allude to the change of cloth, as well as
of dress, which came into fashion after the despicable prohibition
of tartan by Act of Parliament in 1746.
Cha b'e 'n c mu 'chnimh e.
He ivas no dog over his hone.
82
Cha b'e sin ciad ghlaodli-maidne 'bu slieirbhe leis.
Hiat were not the hitter est morning call to him.
This may refer to bagpipes or ' bitters,' both of which were at
one time familiar morning heralds in Highland gentlemen's houses.
If the latter, the play on words may be considered a very fair one.
Cha b'e sin deoch mbor de dhroch cbeannach.
That was no big drink of had hargain.
This seems to allude to the old practice, fortunately falling
into disuse, of sealing every bargain with a good big drink.
Cha b'e sin dol do 'n mhuileann 'us tighinn as.
That was no going to the mill and returning.
Cha bheir gad air aithreachas.
A withe won't catch repentance.
Al. Cha leighis aithreachas breamas. Repentance won't cure
mischief.
Cha bheir lagh air (iigin.
Law can't overtake necessity.
See ' Cha 'n 'eil heart '.
Angen a dydd deddf Need will break law. Welsh.
83
Cha blii cuimhne air a' mhath a bh, ach cuimlinichear
gu brth a' math a bhitheas.
The good that was is forgotten, the good to come is ever
in mind.
Ta bee eeit jarroodit Eaten food is forgotten. Manx.
Eaten bread is forgotten. Eng.
Mer rrfv cnv Taxi-TTa yrjpacTKei x^pis. Gr.
Rien ne viellit pins vite qn'nn bienfait. Fr.
84
Cha dennee rieaw yn voyrn feayraght. Pride never knew cold.
Manx. Pride feels no cold. Eng. Pride finds nae caiild. Scot.
Cha bhi gean air Granndaich gus am faigh iad lite.
85
Cha bhi suaimhneas aig eucoir, no seasamh aig droclibheairt.
Wrong cannot rest, nor ill deed stand.
There is no- peace, saith my God, to the wicked. Isaiah,
lvii.21.
Methought I heard a voice cry. Sleep no more !
Macbeth does murder sleep.^ Macb, i. 2.
Cha bhi saoithreach gun siubhal.
The industrious must he on the move.
Cha bhi sonas air bus 16m.
A hare mouth wont he lucky.
The most rational gloss for the word ' 16m ' here seems to be
one which none of the Dictionaries give, but which, notwithstanding, is very applicable to the great bard Ian Lom, viz., curt,
cutting. The doctrine is very Celtic=politeness is better than
bluntness.
Cha bhi teud reidh 's an fhidhill.
There won't he a tuned string in the fiddle.
Cha bhi thu na 's oige ri d' ionnsachadh.
You II never he younger to learn,
i.e., the sooner you know it the better.
Cha bhi Tiseach air Tirmidh, 's cha bhi Tirlnidh
gun Tiseach,
There shall never he a Macintosh of Tirinie, nor shall
Tirinie he ivithout a Macintosh.
Macintosh, in a note on this, calls it ' a ridiculous prophecy
concerning an ancient family in Perthshire, now extinct ' ; apropos
of which he gives the story of their being killed by the Cummings. Tirinie is near Blair Atholl, and it is pleasant to know
thata Macintosh still (1880) farms there.
Clia bhinn teanga learn leat,
Cha bhithinn latha bhuat 'us agad ;
Cha ruiginn grinneal mo ghridh,
'S cha chagnainn cl mo chompanaich.
The doitble tongue I love it not,
I ivould not he noiu cold now hot ;
Nor put my love ttpon the rack,
87
Cha bii leis a laidhe no 'irigh.
His lying down and rising up were not his own.
Said of one in a state of bondage, or much worried. Somewhat similar is
Cha bu shaoghal dhaibh am beatha tuille.
Their life loere life to them no more.
Cha bu rabhadh gun leisgeul e.
It was no unioarranted ivarning.
Cha bu rnith learn ach leum.
/ woidd jump at it, not run.
Cha bu tu mi, 's cha bu mhi 'n c.
You are not I, and I am no cur.
A polite Celtic form of telling a man that he is a hound.
Cha chaillear na theid 'an cunnart.
A's no' tint that's in hazard. Scot.
All is not lost that is in peril. Eng.
No se pierde todo lo que esta en peligro. jSpan.
Cha chall cise sineadh latha.
It's not a lost cause that's adjourned.
Cha chall na gheabh caraid.
It's no' tint tohat a freend gets. Scot.
Cha chaochail dubh a dhath.
Black never changes hue.
Al. Gabhaidh gach dath dubh, ach cha ghabh dubh dath.
Every colour will take black, but black takes none.
Black will take no other hue. Eng., Scot.
88
Clia chat mi f hein nach aitlinich blthach.
/ am not a cat that doesn't know huttermilk.
Cha cheil amadan a bheachd.
A fool can't hide his thought.
Ni chel ynfyd e feddwl. Welsh.
A fool uttereth all his mind. Prov. xxix. 11.
The fool's heart is in his mouth. Eccl. (Jes). Arab,
A fool's bolt is soon shot. Eig.
Narren Bolzen ist bald verschossen. Germ.
Cha cheil e ni a chi no 'chluinneas e.
He can't hide what he sees or hears.
Cha cheil cearraich' a dhisnean.
A gamester v:ont conceal his dice.
Cha cheil gruaidh cuaradh cridhe.
The cheek hides not a hurt heart.
Ni chel grudd gystudd calon. Welsh.
89
Een rollencle steen neemt geen nios mede. Dutch..
Den Steen der ofte flyttes, bliver ikke mossegroet. Dan.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. Eng.
A rowin' stane gathers nae fog. Scot.
90
Cha choisinn balbhan earrasaid. 's cha 'n fhaigh
amadan oighreachd.
A dumly won't win a mantle, nor a fool get an inheri-
tance.
A dumb man never gets land. Eng.
The use of the word ' earrasaid ' here is peculiar, the article of
dress it denotes being known to us only as feminine. The second
half of the proverb seems to contradict the law of primogeniture, but it means that no fool can win a fortune.
Cha chreach e dthaich.
He vjont.ruin a country-side.
An expression of hospitality in reference to a giiest.
Cha chreid an ige gu'n tig an aois, 's cha chreid an
aois gun tig am bs.
Youth can't believe that age ivill come, nor age that
death will.
Cha chreid thu 'n t-Aog gus am faic thu 'n t-adhlac.
You won't believe in Death till you see the burial,
Cha chreidear an f hirinn o bhial nam briag.
Truth is not believed from a lying mouth.
Cha bee breagery credit, ga dy ninsh eh y n'irriney. Manx.
Al bugiardo non si crede la vent. It.
Cha chreidear fear lial gus an ruigear a chl.
The liberal man is not believed till his jna'se is drained.
Lit. ' till his back is reached '. His difficulties are not believed
so long as he has anything to give.
Cha chudthrom air loch an lach,
Cha chudthrom air each a shrian,
Cha chudthrom air caor' a h-olann,
'S cha chudthrom air colainu ciall.
The loild-duck burdens not the loch.
The bridle burdeiis not the horse.
Her wool burdciis not the sheep,
A7id sense burdens not the body.
Al. Cha truimid an loch, and, Cha trom leis an loch.
This fine verse is among the ' Sean Fhocail ' of Duncan Loudin.
It was given as part of the song referred to in note to ' Bhi
fadadh teine fa loch,' ante, p. 60.
Cha chuimhnich an ditheach a ch,gus ambi abhr ln.
The empty man doesn't remember his dog till he fills his
91
Cha chuir duine 'cliall 'n a sporan.
A man can't put his loss into his purse.
Cha chuir e 'bhuinnig air a bhrgan.
His gain wont sole his shoes.
Cha chuir e'n luath mu 'n sprr.
He won't send the ashes to the cross-lcam.
i.e., he won't raise a great dust.
Cha chuireadh e gad 's an t-srathair.
He coiddn't fix a withe in the pack-saddle.
Good for nothing.
Cha chuirear gad air gealladh.
You can't put vnthes on promises.
Cha chuirinn mo thuagh bhearnach 'n ad choille
chrionaich.
/ woiddn't 'put my notched axe into your withered ivood.
Al. "n ad fhiodh carraigneach '.
Cha chuiriuu mo noigean air a' chial do 'n fhear nach
cuireadh diar ann.
/ wouldn't incline my noggin to him that tooiddn't put
a drop iii it.
Al. Na cuir do shoitheach air a' chliathaich do 'n fhear nach
leasaich e.
Cha chum an soitheach ach a Ian.
The vessel holds hut its fill.
Al. an soitheach Gidhealach.
Ni choinnigheann an soitheacli acht a Ian. Ir.
Cha chum freiteach ach deamhan.
None hut devils keep rash voios.
Cha chumar tigh le bial dinte.
House tvith closed door can't he kept.
A very hospitable saying.
92
Cha deachaidh car do theadhrach mu plireas.
Yottr tether didn't get round a hush.
Said to one who doesn't look starved.
Cha deacli Theab riamh le creig.
Almost never vjent over a rock.
Almost was never hanged. Eng.
Aniaist was ne'er a man's life. Scot.
Nserved slaaer ingen: Mand ihiel Almost kills no man. Dan.
Cha dean a' ghlir bhidheach an t-amadan sthach.
Fine talk loont fill the fool.
Fair words butter no parsnips. Eng..
Mony words dinna fill the firlot. Scoi.
Schone Worte fallen den Sack nicht. Germ.
Belle parole non pascon i gatti. It.
Cha dean am balbh briag.
Dumhie winna lee. Scot.
Cha deannan balbhan brug. Ir.
Cha dean a' phhiic a' phiobaireachd.
Puffing tvon't make pijnng.
Cha dean am bodach briag 's a chlann a 's tigh,
93
Cha dean brgan tioram iasgach.
Dry shoes wont get fish.
JN'o se toman tniclias a bragas enjutas. Span.
'iSsiO se tomao trutas a bragas enxutas. Fort.
Trouts are not taken with dry breeches.
Cha dean cas lidir nach ith br mhr.
What strong foot earns hig helly eats.
Ce que gantelet gagne, le gorgerin le mange. Fr. Saying of
Bayard. (Disraeli's Curios, of Lit. Philosophy of Proverbs.)
Cha dean cas luath maorach.
Hasty foot won't get shellfish.
94
Cha dean mi da chliamliuinn do m'aon nighinn.
/ won't make two sons-in-lcao for my one daughter.
Eigi ma gora tva maga at einni dottur. Iceland.
Cha dean, minnein meaun, 's cha dean giullan clann.
A kid hegets not kids, nor a hoy bairns.
95
Cha deanar leas caraid gun saothair.
Friend can't he helped without trouble.
Cha deanar math gun mhulad.
Good is not done vnthout grief.
Cha deanar sagart gun f hoghlum, 's cha dean foghlum
sagart.
A priest shoidd he learned, hut learning won't make a
priest.
Cha deanar salann gun sail, no leas brthar gun
diobhail.
Salt is not made ivithout hrine, nor brother's help without loss.
Cha deanar seobhag de 'n chlamhan.
You cannot make hawks of kites.
A carrion kite will never make a good hawk. Eng.
On ne saurait faire d'une buse im epervier. Fr.
Cha deanar treine gun triir, 's bidh iad crbach gun
cheathrar.
Three go to make strength, and they'll he lame without
four.
Cha deic luas na h-earba gun na coin a chur rithe.
Tlie swiftness of the roe is known ivithout the loosing of
the hounds.
Clia deoch-slint' i gun a trghadh.
It is no health if not drained.
* No heel-taps ' !
Cha d' eug duine beairteach riamh gun dileabach.
No rich man ever died vnthout an heir.
Cha d' f hag e clach gun tionndadh.
He left no stone unturned.
Char fhg se cloch gan tionta. Ir.
96
Cha d' fhuair Conan riamh drn gun drn a thoirt
g' a cheann.
Conan never qot a Uow without returning it.
See ' Cirdeas Chonain '.
Cha d' fhuair droch bhuanaiche riamli deadh chorran.
Bad reaper never got good sickle.
Chan fhuair droch bhuanaidhe a riamh corran maith. Ir.
Cha dooar rieaii drogh veaynee corran mie. Manx.
Never had ill workman good tools. Eng.
Per con. Cha d' fhiiair biianaiche math droch corran riamh.
Ni ddiffjgion arf ar was gwych. Weapon to the brave won't be
wanting. Welsh.
Cha d' fhuair droch iomramhaiche rmh math riamh.
Bad rower never got good oar.
Cha d' fhuair duine riamh a thuarasdal gus an do
choisinn e e.
No man wages ever got, until for them he had wrought.
Cha d' fhuair sgathadh nach d' fhuiling nire.
Scorn comes commonly loi' shaith. Scot.
Eshyn yiow skeilley (sge'ileadh), yiow e craid (cnead). Manx.
Cha d' fhuair sruth leis, nach d' fhuair sruth 'n a
aghaidh.
None ever got tide ivith him, that did not get against him.
Cha d' fhuair sil ghionach riamh cunnradh math.
Greedy eye never got good bargain.
Cha d' fhuaradh an Donas riamh marbh air cl
graidh.
97
Cha dol ' toileach ' fiach.
' Willing ' jp?/s no debt.
Sorrow will pay no debt. Enq.
Cha d' ith na coin an aimsir.
21ie time was not devoured by the dogs.
' And yet it was wasted.'
The translation of this in the 2nd Ed. of Macintosh is, ' The
dogs did not worry the wether ' !
Char ith na madaidh deireadh na bliadhna go foill. Ir.
Cha d' ith thu seachd cruachan-arbhair leis fhathasd.
Tou haven't eaten seven corn-stacks with him yet.
Al. Cha do loisg thu seachd cruachan-nxine leis YouhavenH
burnt seven peat-stacks with him.
Cha dilt peann briag.
A pen won't refuse to lie.
Polite falsehoods are more easily written than said.
Cha dlighe do pheighinn fois.
Penny's right is not rest.
Argent est rond, il faut qu' il roule. Fr.
I danari vanno e vengono. Ital.
Cha do bhrist modh ceann duine riamh.
98
Cha do clird dithis riabh a' cur tein' air.
Two 7iever agreed at the kindling of afire.
See ' Cha robli dithis '.
Char fhadaigh dis teine gan troid. Ir.
Cha do chuir a bhun ris nach do chinnicli leis.
None trusted him that did not thrive.
Cha do chuir a ghualainn, nach do chuir tuar thairis.
None ever set his shoidder to, that did not what he
sought to do.
Cha do chuir Dia riamh bial thun an t-saoghail, gun
a chuid fa 'chomhair.
God never sent the mouth hut tlie meat with it. Scot.
Eng.
Char rduigh Dia bul gan biadh. Ir.
Gud giver alle Mad, som han giver Mund. Dan.
99
Cha d' rinn iad de sliicar no de shalann tlm.
You weren't made of sugar or salt.
This proverb cannot claim great age.
Cha d' rinn sr nach d' f huiling sr.
None ever did violence hut suffered violence.
All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Matth. xxvi. 52.
Cha d' rinn Theah riamh sealg.
' Almost ' never got game.
See ' Cha deach Theab '.
Cha d' rinn uisge glan riamh leann math.
100
Cha do tliaisg nacli d' f himir.
Nought VMS ever laid hy that vms not needed.
Keep a thing seven years, and ye'll find a use for't. Scot.
101
Amami poco, ma continua. 7(.
Elsk mig licit, og elsk mig Isenge. Dan.
Cha d' thug leis an truaill, nach d' fhuair leis a'
chlaidheamh.
JVone gave with the scabbard but got with the sword.
Cha d' thug thu ach breab bheag 's a' ghriosaich.
You gave hut a slight kick to the evihers.
Cha d' thug thu do long f hein gu cala fhathasd.
Yon haven't brought your own ship to port yet.
Cha d' thug thu ribeag a 'f hiasaig.
Yoii haven't plucked a hair out of his heard..
Cha dubhairt Dia na thubhairt thusa.
God hath 7iot said all thou hast said.
Applicable to much theology, and other things claiming divine
authority. Considering that the Celts are by uatiu'e reverential,
this saying does them great credit.
Cha dual do rath a bhi air dalta spiocaid.
The step-child of a scrub has a bad lot.
Cha duine duine 'n a aonar.
A 7iian alone is no man.
See note to * Bi 'd thosd ' .
Al. Cha'n fliiach duine 'n a aonar.
It is not good that tlie man should be alone. Gen. ii. 18.
E?s vr]p oveis vrjp. Gr. Un homme nul homme. Fr.
One and none is all one. Eng.
Compagnia d' uno, compagnia di niuno. It.
Cha duine glic a dh' iunseas trie 'an-shocair.
He is not wise who often tells his trouble.
Cha duine glic a theid trie do 'n bhaile mhor.
He is not a wise mail who goes often to the city.
Cha ghabh fiadh gointe gaoth.
102
Cha gliabhar greim air uisge no air teine.
No hold can he got of water or of fire.
Cha ghille mur h-umliailt e.
He is no servant U7iless he obeys.
Cha ghlac drn dinte seobhag.
Closed fist tvon't catch hawk.
Cha ghabhann an dom druidte seabhac. Ir.
With emptie hands men may no hawkes lure. OJiaucer.
Det er ondt at lokke Hoge med tomme Hctnder. Dan.
Met ledige handen is het kwaad havikken vangen. Dutch.
Cha ghleidh an dall an rathad mor.
The blind can't keep the highway.
This is true only in a metaphorical sense.
Cha ghleidheadh tu clach 's a' chladacli.
Yo vjouldi't find a stone on the shore.
Cha ghliiais brg no bruidheann an droch bliean-thighe.
Tramping or talking wont rouse the bad housewife.
Ascribed to Eoghan a' chinn bhig. See App. III.
Cha ghruagaichean gu leir air am bi am fait f hein.
All are not maidens that wear their ovm hair.
103
Cha leig an leisg d' a dein, duin' air slighe choir am
feasd.
If laziness hut have its will, it keeps a man from virtue
still.
For the credit of htimardty, there are many proverbs of all
nations directed against the vice of sloth.
Cha leig duine d' a dhein a chir-bhreith le duine
be.
No man vnllingly parts ivith his birthright.
Cha leigear a leas pg a thabhairt do laimh an
iasgair.
Tiie hand of the fisher need not he kissed.
Cha leighis aithreachas breamas.
104
Tante teste, tanti cervelli. It.
Autant de ttes, autant d' avis. Fr.
So many men, so many minds. Eng.
105
Cha nihisde sg^ul math 'aithris da uair.
A good tale is none the worse for heing twice told. Eng.
Cha mho air e 's air sean each 'athair.
He cares no more for him than an old horse for his
sire.
Cha mhol duine 'sheud 's e aige.
A man doesn't praise his jeioel while he has it.
Probably not till he loses it.
Cha mhortar an luchag fo 'n chruaich-f heir.
The mouse is not crushed under the hay-stack.
A wee mouse will creep under a nmckle corn-stack. Scot.
Cha 'n abair mi mo bhrthair, ach ris a' mhac a rug
mo mhthair.
/ ivill not say hrother hut to my mother's son.
Al. Cha phiuthar 'us cha bhrthair ach neach a bheireas a'
mlithair.
None is sister or brother whom the mother bore not.
This looks like a relic of a time when birtlirights and blood-ties
were calculated from the maternal rather than the paternal side,
of which Mr. Skene has found traces in the early history of our
country. Celtic Scotland, Vol. I., p. 252. See also M'Lennan's
Primitive Marriage, 2d Ed., p. 129.
Cha 'n aithne dhut dol air d' each gun dol thairis air.
You camiot mount your horse without going over.
Cha'n aithnich am fuachd tighead na lirich.
The thickest coat of mail wont kee'p out the cold.
106
nifics a meeting, assembly, court of justice. The Celtic courts of
justice were held on hills or mounds made for the purpose, of
which several, called moats, or mutes, are still to be seen in
Kirkcudbrightshire, and elsewhere. Skene, De verb, signif., 1681,
f). 93, says, " Quhen King Malcolme the Second gave all his
andes to the barrones of this realme ; he reteined to himself
* montem placiti de Scona,' the mute hill of Scone, quhair he
might hald his courtes, and do justice to his subjects, in deciding
their pleyes and controversies." See Jamieson's Did. s. v. Mote.
Cha 'n ann a' h-uile latha theid Mac-Nill air 'each.
It is not every day that MacNeill mounts his horse.
This refers to MacNeill of Barra, whose rocky island territory
was more suited for boating than for riding.
Cha 'n ann ag eigheach as do dheaghaidh, ach C'it
am bheil thu dol ?
Not calliiig after you, hut Where are you going ?
Cha 'n ann air chnothan falamh a f huaradh sid uile.
It was not for empty nuts all that loas got.
Cha 'n ann 'am Bid uile 'tha'n t-oic, tha cuid deth
's a' Chumradh bheag limh ris.
The mischief is not all in Bute, there s some in the
little Cumbrae near it.
107
Es fllt keine Eiche vom ersten Streiche. (Ten?i.
Al primo colpo non cade I'albero. It.
All premier coup ne chet pas I'arbre. Fr.
To hfvbpov fx n'lav TreXeKfii/ bv K6(f)TfTai. Mod. Gr.
Chan atharraich caraid. gniiis caraid.
A friend toont change a friencVs countenance.
Cha'n aotruim' or na 'clmdtlirom.
Gold is no lighter than its weight.
Cha'n e 'm beagan an grn-lagain, ma ghabhas e togail.
The grain that falls is n/)t trifling if it can be lifted.
The ' grn-lagain ' is the grain that falls through the straw
when it is put on the kiln.
Cha 'n e 'm brd a theirig dhut, ach am beagan
fearainn.
Not your mould-hoard was done, hut your little land.
The moukl-board of the old plough was made of wood, like all
the rest of it, except the share. But the failing of the plough
was a small matter, compared with want of land to plough.
Cha'n e an ro-chabhag a's fhearr.
Great haste is not hest.
The more haste, the worse speed. Eng., Scot.
Hoe meerder haast, hoe minder spoed. Dutch.
Qui nimis propere minus prospere. -Lai.
Plus on se hate, moins on avance. i^r.
Chi va piano, va sano, e va \onta.no. Ital.
Quien mas corre, menos \uelsL. Spa7i.
Cha 'n e ciad sgeul an t-sagairt bu choir a chreidsinn.
It is not the priest's first story that should he helieved.
This is probably a very old saying, and it quite accords with
the strain of the Ossianic ballads narrating iSt. Patrick's attempts
to convert Ossian. The Celt is not easily convinced of anything
new, or opposed to his old beliefs, but once he believes, he believes
intensely.
Cha'n e cruadhachadh na h-tha sealltainn foipe.
Looking under the kiln won't dry the grain.
Cha'n e dubh a dh'fhuathaicheas, 's cha'n e geal a
ghrdhaicheas.
Hate comes not of black, nor love of white.
Cha 'n e faighinn na feudalach a 's miosa, ach a
cumail 'an deaghaidh a faotainn.
The getting of the cattle is not so Jiard, as the keeping
after getting.
108
Cha 'n e gogadh nan ceann a ni an t-iomradh.
109
Cha'n e 'n tocliradh mor a ni an tiomnadh beairteacli.
'Tis not the big dowry that makes the wealthy ivill.
The greatest tochers mak' not the greatest testaments. Scot.
He that's neetly when he's married shall be rich when he's
buried. Eng.
Cha 'n 'eil ach a leth-taobh ris.
He has but a half-side to it.
Cha 'n 'eil ach rabhadh gun fhuasgladh ann am
bruadar na h-oidhche.
The dream of the night is hut a warning unsolved.
At. Cha taisbeanadh bruadar cadail A dream is no revelation.
In the multitude of dreams and many words there are also
diverse vanities. Eccl. v. 7.
Cha'n 'eil ach moran eadar a* bho 's a' mheanbhchuileag.
The cow is only a good deal bigger than the midge.
A midge is as big as a mountain a'maist. Scot.
Cha 'n 'eil 'adharc cho cruaidh 's a tha 'langan rd.
His horn is not so hard, as his roar is loud.
His bark is waur nor his bite. Scot.
Cha'n 'eil agad ach am bogadh, gun bhuidueachas
dheth.
You have got but the ducking, and no thanks.
Cha 'n 'eil agams' ach osain ghearr dheth, ach tha
triubhas fad agadsa dheth.
/ have but short hose of it, and you have long trews
of it.
Cha 'n 'eil air a' bhiadh ach teannadh ris.
Eating needs but a beginning.
Taste, you will eat. Arab.
Mangiando viene I'appetito. It.
En niangeant I'appetit vient. Fr.
Eten is een goed begin. Du.
Cha 'n 'eil air duine gun nire ach duine gun nire
'thachairt ris.
There's nothing for a shameless man but his match to
meet him.
Cha 'n eil aire ann gu aire na h-ainnis.
There is no distress like that of the destitute.
See ' Eadar an t-euradh 'us aimbeairt '.
110
Cha 'n 'eil ait' 'am bi meall nach bi fasgadh mu
'bhonn.
Wherever a height is, there is shelter helow.
Cha 'n 'eil am bonnach beag bruich f hathasd.
TJie little bannock is not toasted yet.
This is a phrase used at hide-and-seek, or blind-man's-buff,
to announce that the players are not ready yet.
Cha'n 'eil am maoidheadh daonnan 'an cois a' cliroin.
Threatening does not always follow mischief.
It depends on who does it !
Cha 'n 'eil an cuid 's an onoir aca.
They haven't kept their goods and honour.
Cha 'n 'eil 'an cil na 'n cuilidh,
Nach fhaic sil a' Mhuilich,
S' cha 'n 'eil 'an ird na 'n iosal,
Nach limhsich lmh an Ilich ;
Na dh' f hgadh am Muileach,
Ghrad sgrlobadh an CoUach uaith' e,
Ach 's mairg a dh' earbadh a chuid no anam,
Eis a' chealgaire Bharrach.
There s not in nook or corner,
What the Mull man's eye won't see ;
There's not in height or hollow,
What the Islay man won't handle ;
What the Mull man would leave,
The Coll man soon would grasp ;
But woe to him, his goods or life,
Who trusts to treacherous Barra man.
These very calumnioas estimates are, of course, to be taten
cum grcmo. Other similar sayings are
Muileach 'us Ileach 'us deamhan,
An triuir a 's miosa air an domhain,
'S miosa a' Muileach na 'n t- Ileach,
'S miosa an t- Ileach na 'n deamhuin.
A Mull man, an Islay man, and a devil.
Ill
he covets ; lohat the Mull man covets the Coll man steals; and wJud
the Coll man steals the Tiree man hides.
Sliob am Muileach, 'us sgrbaidh e thu ; sgrb am Muileach,
'us slbaidh e thu. Stroke the Mull man, and he'll scratch you :
scratch him, and he'll stroke you.
Ged a bhiodh tu cho caracli ris a Mhiiileach, gheabbar a macb
thu. Were you as tricky as the Mull man, you'll be found out.
All these dreadful imputations remind one of an Eastern saying, ' The Koords are worse than the Arabs, the Arabs are worse
than the Yezidees, and the Yezidees are worse than Eblis '.
Cha 'n 'eil ann ach an t-uan na 's duiblie na 'mhthair.
It's merely the lamb blacker than its dam.
Cha 'n 'eil ann ach an dara duine 'bhreith, 's an
duine eile 'bhreith 'us rach.
07ie man needs but to be born, another to be born arid
bred.
This is an acute observation on the advantages of hereditary
aristocracy and primogeniture.
Cha 'n 'eil ann ach fear ri caomhnadh 's fear ri
caitheanih.
One man saves and another spends.
Cuid an taisgeair aig an caithteair. Ir.
Narrow gathered, widely spent. Eiig., Scot.
Cha'n 'eil ann ach Iain 'us DnuU ; DnuU cho math
ri Iain, 's Iain cho math ri Dnull.
It is plain John and Donald, Donald as good as
John, and John as good as Donald.
Cha 'n 'eil ann ach leth-phlaide gun f huaghal.
He is but an unhemmed half -blanket.
Cha 'n 'eil ann ach mogan gun cheann.
He is a stocking without foot.
112
Cha 'n 'eil carraicj air nach caochail smth.
Tliere is no rock where the tide wont change.
See ' Cha 'n 'eil tuil '.
Cha'n 'eil Clann Mhic Neacail dioghaltach.
The Nicolsons (or MacNicols) are not revengeful.
Cha 'n 'eil cleith air an olc ach gun a dheanamL
There's no hiding of evil hut not to do it.
Cha 'n 'eil c eadar e 's a' chroicli.
There is not a dog hetwee7i him and the gallows.
Cha 'n 'eil de dh-uaill air an aodach ach am fear a
dh' fhaodas a cheannach.
There s nothing in dress to be 2>f0ud of hut the power
of huying it.
Cha 'n 'eil de mhatli air fuighleach a' chait ach a
thoirt da fhein.
The cat's leavings are fit only for himself.
Applied to men who would palm the dregs on others, after
they have drunk the cream .
Cha 'n 'eil dearbhadh gun diachainn.
There is no 'proof vnthout trial.
113
The happy man canna be harried. Scot.
Give a man luck, and throw him into the sea. Eng.
Chan 'eil dorus gun lib, 's tha cuid aig am beil a
dh.
There's a duh at every door, some hae twa. Scot.
Cha 'n 'eil duine creachta 's a long aige.
A man is not ruined ivhile he has his ship.
Cha 'n 'eil e pisearlach.
He is no conjurer.
Cha 'n 'eil eadar an duine glic 's an t-amadan, acli
gu 'n ceil an duine glic a run, agus gun innis an
t-amadan e.
'Twixt the wise man and the fool, all the difference is
this, that the wise man keeps his counsel, and the fool
revealeth his.
The fool's heart is in his mouth, the wise man's tongue is in
his heart. Arah.
Cha 'n 'eil eadar an t-amadan 's an duine glic, acli
tairgse mhath a ghabhail 'n uair a gheabh e i.
All the difference between the fool and the wise man is
in taking a good offer.
Eptir koma osvinnum raS 1 hug. After all is done, the unwise
thinks of a plan. Icel.
Quando el necio es acordado, el mercado es ya pasado. Span.
que faz o doudo a derradeira, faz o sesudo a primeira. Port.
Cha 'n 'eil eadar duine 's tuille fhaighinn, ach na
th'aige chaitheamh.
Nothing keeps from getting more, hut the spending of
your store.
Cha'n 'eil easlainte gun ocshlaint', ach cha'n 'eil
tilleadh air an Aog.
There's no sickness ivithout scdve, but for Death no
check.
Contra vim mortis non est medicamen in hortis. Med. Lat.
Para todo hay remedio sino para la muerte. Spari.
Cha 'n 'eil feill aig na h-lnean ach Dihaoine 's
Didmhnuich.
There's no holiday for nails but Friday and Sunday.
Paring the nails on these particular days was held unlucky.
See Sir T. Browne's Vulgar Errors, v. 10, and Chambers' Book
of Days, I. 526, II. 322.
lU
Cha 'n 'eil feill no faidhir, air nach faighear MaolEuainidh.
There's no holiday nor fair, hut Mulrony will he there.
M. a nickname for a foolish woman who frequents fairs and
other diversions too much. Note by Macintosh.
Cha'n 'eil f hios co as a thinig na h-eich bhna 's na
droch mhnatlian.
Nohody knows where the white horses and the had wives
come from.
Al. Tha 'h-iiile nigheau gu math, ach co as 'tha na droch
mhnathan a tighinn ?
All are good maids, but whence come the bad wives ? Eiuj.
A! are guid lasses, but where do a' the ill wives come frae
Scot.
Cha 'n 'eil f hios co dhiubh 's f hearr luathas no maille,
's b' e 'n gille-mirein am psadh.
None can tell which is hetter, haste or tardiness, and
marriage is a very whirligig.
See ' Am fear a dh' imich '.
Cha'n 'eil 'fhios air an uair seach a' mhionaid.
The hour {of Death) is as unknown as the minute.
Cha 'n 'eil gach iuchair 's an tlr an crochadh ri aon
chrios.
All the keys in the land do not hang from one girdle.
A! the keys o' the country hang na on ae belt. Scot.
Tutte le chiavi non pendono a una cintura. It.
Toutes les clefs ne pendent pas ime ceinture. Fr.
Die Schliissel liangen nicht alle an einem Gurtel. Germ.
Cha 'n 'eil i beag bidheach, no mor grnda.
She is neither small and howiie, nor hig and ugly.
Chan 'uil si beag deas, no mor grana. Ir.
Cha 'n 'eil ian 's a' choille nach bi greis 'n a bhanntraich.
There is no hird in the wood, hut is at times in toidoio-
115
consoled with the hope that his oak stick, which he had lost, would
be recovered. ' No, no, my friend,' said the Doctor, ' it is not to be
expected that any man in Mull, who has got it, will part with it.
Consider, sir, the value of such a piece of timber here !'
Cha 'n 'eil math gun mhilleadh.
There is no good hut may he marred.
116
Cha 'n 'eil port a slieinneas an smerach 's an
Fhaoilleach, nach caoin i mu 'n ruitli an t-Earrach,
For every song the inavis sings in February, shell lament
ere Spring he over.
As lang as the bird sings before Candlemas, lie greets after it.
Scot.
Choud as hig y scell greinney stiagh. Laa'l Breeshey, hig y
sniaghtey my jig laa Boayldyn. As far as the sun shines on St.
Bride's day, the snow ivill come before Beltane. Manx.
Cha 'n 'eil ri dheanamh air an dan, ach an cmhradli
a chradh gu caoin.
The one thing in making of verse is siveetly to order the
vjords.
Cha 'n 'eil rud sam bith gun da latha, 's tha tri latha
aig na h-Oisgean.
Every thing has two days, and the Ewes have three.
Three days in the third week of April, Old Style. See A'pp. IV.
Cha'n 'eil saoidh air nach laidh len.
No hero is proof against wound.
Cha'n 'eil thu elach air a' ghiullachd each.
You are not skilled in looking after horses,
Cha 'n 'eil torn no tulach.
No cnocan buidhe fiarach,
Nach bi seal gu subhach,
'Us seal gu dubhach diarach.
There is no knoll nor mound,
Nor hillock dight with flowers,
Tiiat sometimes is not bright,
And soinetimes dark with showers.
Cha 'n 'eil treun ris nach cuirear.
TJie brave will be tried.
Cha 'n 'eil tuil air nach tig traoghadh.
Every food will have an ebb.
Every tide (flood) hath its ebb. Eng., Scot.
Alle vloed heeft zijne ebbe. Dutch.
Cha 'n fhac thu bo de d' chrodh fhin an diugh.
You saiv no cow of your own to-day.
Said of one who seems in deshabille and out of humour. Note
by Macintosh.
117
Cha'n fliaic thu 'm feasd brr na coille cmhla.
The tree tops are never seen 07i a level.
Cha 'n fhaca mi 'leithid o 'n a chaidh slat 'am chta.
/ haven't seen the like since a yard made my coat.
118
Cha 'n fliearr an seud na 'luach.
Tiie jewel is no hctter than its ivorth.
Cha 'n fhiach brn a ghnth, 's cha 'n fhiach cel a
ghnth.
Sorrow always is not good, nor is mirth cdvjays.
To everything there is a season . . a time to weep, and
a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
EccL. iii. 1, 4.
Cha'n fhiach cuirm gun a cmhradL
A feast is worth nothing ivithout its conversation.
It is creditable to our Celtic ancestors that in their view eating
and drinkmg were not the chief charms of a dinner.
Cha'n fhiach duiue gun neart gun innleachd.
A man with neither strength nor art is ivorth nothing.
Cha'n fhiach e 'bhi 'deanamh da latha dheth.
It's not worth making two days of it.
119
Cha'n fhiacli fear furachail Foghar.
A vian that's very watchful docsnt deserve a harvest.
This does not seem good doctrine, but it is meant that he should
be too busy to have time for spying about anxiously.
Clia 'n fhiach sagart gun chleireach.
A priest is nothing tvithout a clerk.
Cha dual sagart gan chleireach, a's cha dual Domhnach gan
aifrionn (Sundmj without mass). Ir.
Cha 'n fhiach sgeul gun urramn,
A tale unvouched is ivorth nothing.
Ni fi sgul gan ughdar isdeachd. /r.
Cha 'n fhiach tigh mor gun straighlich,
A great house without noise is worth nothing.
The Celtic idea of a Chiefs house of the right sort is thus
expressed by Mary MacLeod in ' An TaUa bu ghnth le MacLeid,'
Tigh mor macnusach, meaghrach,
Nam macan 's nam maighdean,
Far 'm bu tartarach gleadhraich nan corn.
Great house gay and cheery,
With young men and maidens,
Where loud was the clatter of horns.
Cha 'n fhiosrach, mur feraich.
Nothing ask, nothing learn.
FroSr er hverr fregnviss. Who asks will become learned. Icel.
Cha 'n fhuiling am hroc 'n a shloc ach e fhein.
The badger in his hole no company can thole.
Cha'n fhuiling an onoir cld.
Honour can't bear patching.
Cha'n fhuilig ceann carrach fuachd no teas.
A scabby head can't bear cold or heed.
Een schurft hoofd ontziet de kam (fears the comb). Dutch.
Cha'n fhuirich muir ri uallach.
The sea won't wait for a load.
See * Cha stad '.
Cha 'n i 'bho 's irde gum a's m bainne.
The loudest loiving coiv is not the best milker.
Cha 'n iad na ro-chleirich a's fhearr.
120
A mere scholar is a mere ass. Enrj.
The greatest clerks be not the wisest men. Chaucer.
Les grands clercs ne sont pas le plus fins. Fr.
De geleerdsten zijn de wijsten niet. Du.
Cha 'n iochd learn cnead mo leas-mliathar.
I pity not my stepmother's sigh.
Cha 'n ioghnadh an clamhan a dh'fhalbh le aon isean
circe doille.
No ivonder if the kite take a Mind hens only
chicken.
Cha 'n ioghnadh boladh an sgadain a bhi de 'n t-soitheach 's am ) e.
It's no wonder that the herring vessel smells of
herring.
It's but kindly (i.e., natural) that the pock savour of the herring. Scot.
La caque sent toujours le hareng. i^r.
Soon after Henry of Navarre had joined the Church of Eonie,
he was one day out hvmting, and, leaving his attendants behind,
came to an inn, and sat down to dinner with a company of merchants, to whom he was unknown. Their talk naturally turned
on the king's conversion. ' Ne parlous pas de cela,' said one, a
dealer in pigs, ' la caque sent toujours le hareng.' The king said
nothing, till his retinue came in, when the unfortunate merchant
discovered his hetise. ' Bon homme,' said the king, clapping him
on the shoulder, ' la caque sent toujours le hareng, mais c'est en
votre endroit, et non pas au mien. Je suis, Dieu merci, bon
Catholique, mais vous gardez encore du vieux levain de la Ligue.'
Mery's Hist, des Proverbes, II. 322.
The translation of the above in the 2d Ed. of Macintosh is, 'No
wonder that the cask smells of the herring in which they are '.
Cha 'n ioghnadh duine dall
A dhol le allt no le creig ;
Ach thusa do 'n leir a' choir,
'S nach dean le d' dhein d'i ach beag.
JSfo wonder is when blind men fall,
Over rock or into river ;
But strange art thou who see'st the good,
121
Cha 'n ionann do fhear na neasgaid, agus do fliear
'g a fsgadh.
It's different with the vmn of the hoil, and the man that
squeezes it.
Cha 'n ionann fear air mhisg 's fear air uisge.
The drunk man and the water-drinker differ.
The only merit of this truism is the clink of the words,
Cha 'n ionann il do dhithis, no slighe do thriiiir.
Two men will take diverse roads, and three tvill go
different ways.
Raad ta jees ta reih (roghainn),a.s raad ta troor ta teij(taghadh).
Where two go tliere is choice, lohere three go there is picking. Manx.
Cha'n ionann sgeul a' dol do'n bhaile mhor 's a'
tighinn dachaidh.
It's a different story, going to town, and eoming hacU.
See ' Cha duine glic,' and ' Am fear a theid do 'n tigh mhor.'
Cha 'n ionann sgeul a bhios air a' chreich 's air an
tir.
The foray and the pursuit have different tales to tell.
This and the next but one are purely Highland.
Cha 'n ionann togradh do dhuine, a' dol a dh' iarraidh
mnatha, 's 'g a cur dhachaidh.
Very different is a inans desire, going for his wife and
sending her home.
Cha 'n olc a' chreach as an gleidhear a leth.
It's not a had foray ivhere the half is kept.
Cha 'n or a' h-uile rud buidhe, 's cha 'n uibhean a'
h-uile rud ban.
All that's yelloio is not gold, and all white things are
not eggs.
The second half of this proverb is tacked on for the sake of
assonance and alliteration. The first half is nearly in the same
words in all European languages. The only difference in the
Gaelic version is the use of the phrase ' the yellow,' instead of
'what glitters' or ' shines,' which occurs in all the rest. The Gaelic
phrase seems the more descrijDtive.
Cha 'n rdugh bat aig billidh.
A hailiff's staff is not an order.
This is an expression of the Celtic aversion to mere display of
authority without the recognised right.
122
Cha 'n uaisle duine na 'cheaird.
No man is above his trade.
He that thinks his business below him will always be above
it. Eng. Schanie dich cleines Handwerks nicht. Germ.
Cha 'n iiaisle mac righ na 'chuideaclid.
A king's son is no nobler tha?i his coiivpany.
Oha'n uaisle mac righ na 'chuid (his food). Ir.
An Ulster chief of the O'Neills was found by a bard in the act
of toasting a cake. He looked rather ashamed, on which the bard
addressed him
Is tu-sa an tighearna O'Neill,
A's mise mac t-sin Mhic Cuirc,
Tiontamaois a t-sudog air aon,
Cha 'n uaisle mac righ na a chuid.
Thou art the chief O'Neill,
And I, son of old MacCork,
In turning the cake xve are one.
No king's son's above his food.
Ulster Journ. of Arch., Vol. VI., p. 260.
Cha'n uisge ach a tuatli, 's cha turadh buan ach a
deas.
No rain but from the north, no long dry loeather but
from the south.
This saying, which comes from Tiree, is contrary to the experience of most other places.
Cha 'n urramn domh a' mliin itheadh, 's an teine
'sheideadh.
/ caniiot eat the meal and blotv the fire.
Al. Cha dean mi itheadh na mine, 'us seideadh an teine.
Cha d-tig le duine a bheith ag ithe mine, a's a feadalaigh air
a bhall (whistling at the same time). Ir.
123
Cha nr do dhuine bean 'g a dhiltadli, bta 'g a
fh,<Tail, no lair 'g a thilgeadh.
It is no shame to a man to he refused hy a icoman, left
hy a hoat, or throtvn hy a mare.
Cha nigh na tha dh' iiisge 's a' mhuir ar cirdeas.
All the water in the sea tvon't wash out our kinsldp.
This is intensely Highland, as is the use of the same word,
* cirdeas,' for ' friendship ' and ' kinship '.
Cha phigheadh a' chain a bh'aig Pdruig air Eirinn e.
St. Patrick's tribute from Ireland would not -pay it.
* Dh 'itheadh (or 'dh'ladh') e 'chain a bh' aig Pdruig air
Eirinn' He loould eat (or drink) Patrick's tribute from Ireland, is
another saying in reference to this tax, applied to a great eater or
drinker. According to Keating (O'Connor's tr., p. 333), Aengus
of Ulster obliged himself and his successors to deliver 500 cows,
500 bars of iron, 500 shirts, 500 mantles, and 500 sheep, to the
convents and religious houses founded by St. Patrick in Ulster,
instead of three pennies per head for every person baptized. This,
probably, was the ' Cain' referred to in the above sayings.
Cha rachadh tu cho deas air mo ghnothach-sa.
You tvoiddn't go so fast on my husiness.
Cha reic e 'chearc ris an latha fhliuch.
He'll no sell his hen on a rainy day. Scot.
Cha n-diolaidh si a cearc a riamh sa la fhliuch. Jr.
124
Macnabs are a branch of that great clan. The above saying,
unlike most of those referring to clans, was not invented by an
enemy.
Cha robli bs fir, gun glirs fir.
One 7nan's death is grace to another.
See ' An ni 'ni subhach.'
Ni ddaw drwg i un, na ddaw da i ara'l III comes not to one,
without good to another. Welsh.
Baase y derrey voddey, grayse y voddey elley One dog's death,
another dog's grace. Manx.
Cha robh briagach nacli robh bradach.
Nooie lied that wotdd not steal.
Very shrewd Ethics. He that can confound Yea and Nay
cannot be trusted to respect Meum and Tuum. Truthfulness has,
in fact, been laid down by some writers as the basis of all Virtue,
and its opposite of all Vice.
Cha robh br mhor riamh 'n a seise mhath.
Big helly vms never good mate.
Al. Cha robh lmh mhor riamh aig caolan gionach Grecc/i/ gid
never had large hand.
Cha robh bolg mr fial a riamh Big helly was never bountiful.
It.
Cha robh call mor gun bhuinig bhig.
TJiere was never great loss without a little gain.
Cha robh cam nach robh crosda.
The one-eyed was ever cross.
Cha robh caraid riamh aig duine bochd.
The poor are ever friendless.
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour. Prov. xiv. 20.
In contradiction to this, those who have had any experience
among our poor know that their kindness to one another is often
very great, and much beyond that of the rich.
Cha robh coille riamh gun chrionaich, no linn gun
ubh-gluig.
Never was wood without dry hrushtvood, nor hrood
without addle-egg.
Al. Cha robh gur gun ghoirein.
Chan 'nil coill air bith gan a losgadh fin de chrionnlach inuti
(as much dry wood as would burn it). Ir.
Cha robh coimheart mor gun choimheart beag.
Great was never loithout small comparison.
125
Cha robh cil an amliaruis riamh glan.
The suspicious corner loas never clean.
Cha robh dithis riamh a' facladh teine, nach do las
eatorra.
Tico were never makiiig a fire, that didn't light between
them.
See ' Cha do chord ',
There is a neat double meaning here, the suggestion being that
the two ^\'ould quarrel about it. Two seldom agree as to the best
way of making a fire.
Cha robh do chuid riamh air chall.
126
Clia robli reithe leathann liatli riabh reamhar.
A hroad gray ram was never fat.
127
Clia niig am beagan fuilt air cl a' chinn 's air clr an
aodainn.
The scanty hair won't cover the hack and front.
Some men try it, notwitlistanding !
Cha ruig fuachd air airgiod-iomairt.
Gaming-money wont get cold.
Gaming for money was never much practised in the Highlands,
one reason being that money was scarce in days of okl. One of
our historians has even attributed the noble contempt shown for
the price offered for Prince Charley's head to simple ignorance
of the value of cash, and incapacity to understand the meaning of
30,000 ! But, though among the class of people who produced
most of our Gaelic proverbs, coin of any kind was seldom seen,
there is sufficient evidence that not only was gaming with dice and
cards practised in the Highlands very long ago, but that so intellectual a game as chess was well known to the Scoto-Irish Celts so
far back as the time of Fingal and CuchuUin, whensoever that
may have been. Even that game was sometimes played for high
stakes, not in money, but in horses, mantles, and armlets of silver.
The Norsemen also were very much given to gaming.
Cha sgin mthair leinibh.
Bairn's mother hursts never. Scot.
' Because,' says Kelly, ' she will keep meat out of her own mouth
to put into theirs.'
Cha sgal c roimh chnimh.
A dog tcon't howl at a hone.
A dog winna yowl if ye fell him wi' a bane. Scot.
Non si offende mai cane gettandogli le ossa. /{.
Cha sgaoilear tigh an arain.
Bread's house skailed never. Scot.
The identity of 'sgaoil' and ' skail' will be noted here. Kelly
interprets this proverb as meaning that, while people have the
staff of life, they need not give over housekeeping. Hislop, on
the other hand, explains it as meaning that a hospitable house
never wants visitors.
Cha sgeith bo fiar.
A cow ivon't vomit grass.
Wise creatures won't quarrel with their bread and butter.
Cha sgul-rin e, 's fios aig triir air.
128
Skeeal edclyr jees, skeeal dyn insh (gun innseadh) ; skeeal eddyr
tree, te ersooyl (tha e air siuhhal). Manx.
Nid cyfrinach ond rhwng No secret hut Hu-ixt tvjo. Welsh.
Three may keep counsel, if twa be awa. Scot.
Tre lo sanno, tutti lo sanno. It.
Puridad de dos, puridad de Dios : puridad de tres, de todos es.
Span.
Secret de deux, secret de Dieu : secret de trois, secret de tous.
Fr.
]?j3 veit ef l^rir 'ro People know, if three are.Icel.
Was drei wissen, erfahren bald dreiszig. Germ.
Clia shaltair duin' air a phiseach.
Ko man will trample on his luck.
Cha shaothair ba-laoigh do shaothair, no deagli gliamlinaich.
Your lahour is not that of a calving covj, nor of a
good farrow cow.
Cha sliean de m' shean, 's cha 'n g de m' ige thu.
You are not an old one of my old ones, nor a young
one of my youth.
Cha sheas a' bhriag ach air a leth-chois.
A lie stands on hut one leg.
Al. Cha 'n 'eil casan aig briagan, ach tha sgiathan aig tuaileas.
A lie has no legs, but a scandal has ivings. Eng.
Truth stands aye without a prop. Scof.
Bugie hanno corte le gambe. It. La mentira tiene cortas las
piernas. Span. Liigen haben kurze Beine. Germ. Lies have
short legs.
These sayings are true enough, in the sense that lies have no
stability, and are easily overtaken. But not less true is the Welsh
saying, Goreu cerddedydd, gau The best traveller is a lie.
Cha sheas poca falamh.
An empty hag cannot stand upright. Eng.
Cha seasann sac falamh. Ir.
Sacco vuoto non sta ritto. It.
Ein leerer Sack steht nicht aufrecht. Germ.
Cha shin duine 'chas ach mar a ruigeas 'aodach.
A man will stretch his foot no farther tluin his clothes
allow.
Kara to TroTrXu/xa, naX twv ttocv to ^arrXco^a According to the
blanket must the feet stretch. Mod. Gr. .
Cha shou'bh triublias a chur air cat.
It is not easy to put trews on a cat.
129
Cha sliuaicheantas crr air cladacli.
A heron on the shore is not peculiar.
Lit. Not an ensign, or escutcheon.
Cha stad na trithean, 's cha 'n 'eil bigh aig seolmara.
Tiie won't wait, nor tide shoiv mercy.
Time and tide tarry for no man. Eng.
Time and tide for nae man bide. S:Cot.
Zeit Ebbe und Fhith warten auf Niemand. G&rm.
Tiempo ni hora no se ata con soga. &fan.
Cha teich ach cladhaire, 's cha'n fhuirich ach
sapaire.
None hut a craven will fiy, and none hut a sneak ivill
stay.
Cha teich an earba gus am faic.
The roe won't fiy till she sees you.
Cha teid a' bhriag na 's fhaide na 'n craicionn.
A lie tvorit pierce hcyond the shiii.
Cha teid an sionnach na 's fhaide na bheir a chasan e.
The fox will go no farther than his feet will carry
him.
130
Cha tid fiach air bial dinte, 's cha tog balbhan fianuis.
Shut mouth incurs no debt, and dumb men give no
evidence.
Al. Cha toirear balbli gu mod jf7ie dumb don't get into Court.
Eepentance for silence is better than repentance for speech.
Arab.
Nnlli tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutam. Dion. Cato.
Be checked for silence, but never taxed for speech. All's Well
that ends Well, I. 1.
Cha tid plsd air bagairt.
A threat needs no plaster.
Cha teid psadh thair muir.
Marriage goes not beyond sea.
I understand this saying is meant to be jocular, in allusion
probably to the fact that sailors have been known to have wives
in more than one port.
Cha teid stad ort na 's mo na air eas na h-aimhne.
You no more pause than the vxderfall.
Cha tig a nuas an ni nach 'eil shuas.
131
Cha tig an cta glas clio math do na h-uile fear.
Tlie gray coat becomes not every man alike.
Macintosh says, ' King James the V's wearing a gray coat
when in disguise might probably give rise to this saying.'
Al. ' An cta fad' the long coat.
Luthers Schuhe sind nicht jedem Dorfpfarrer gerecht iui/ier's
shoes doji't fit every country parson. Gerr)i.
Cha tig an crodh uile cho math do 'n hhiiaile.
132
Clia tig Geamliradh gu cl Calluinn, no Earracli gu
C1 Flieill Pruig.
Winter comes not till after New Year, nor Spring till
after St. Patrick's Day.
St. Patrick's day is 17th March.
As the day lengthens, the cold strengthens. Eng.-Scot.
Wenn die Tage beginnen zu langen,
Al. Cha ghoil an uaisle '-^h-oii Gentility won't hoil the pot.
133
BeaiTty will buy no beef. Eng.
Send yir gentle bluid to the market, and see what it -wiU bring.
Scot.
Cha toir am fitheach an t-siiil dha 'isean fhein.
TJie raven won't give the eye to his oicn chicken.
Cha toir a' ghaoth dliiot, ge teann leat a sheideas;
The tvind won't strip you, though it bloiv hard.
This seems to be founded on the old story of the traveller and
his cloak.
Cha toir dnine 'chall d' a charaid.
Mo man gives his friend his loss.
Cha toir duine rath air eigin, 's gheabhar e gun eigin
idir.
A man cannot force his lot, and without stress it may
he got.
See ' Bheir duine beath' air eigin,' and ' Thig ri latha.'
Cha toir muir no monadh a chuid o dhuine sona ; 's
cha ghleidh duine don' an t-allt.
Neither main nor moor can make the lucky poor; hut
the unlucky man can't keep to the hum.
See ' Cha 'n 'eil air an duine sona.'
Cha toir thu 'n aire gus an teid am bior 's an t-sil.
You loont take heed till the prick is in the eye.
Cha toirear o 'n chat ach a chraicionn.
You can take nothing from the cat hut its skin.
Cre yiow jeh 'n chayt agh y chrackan. Manx,
Man faaer ei meer af Rfeven end Baelgen 0?ie can't take more,
ojf the fox than his skin. Dan.
Cha treabh gach bliadlma d' a cheile.
Fach year's ploughing is for itself
Cha truagh learn cnead mo mhthar-cile.
I don't pity my mother-in-laio's sigh.
134
Clia tugadh an donas an car as.
The devil couldn't cheat him.
Cha tugadh 'an Cille-mo-cheallaig breitli 'bu chlaoine.
No worse judgment was given in Kilmacheallag .
The parish of Kihuacheallag is as difficult to find out as the
town of Weissnichtwo. The story is that a man was tried there
by a jury of women, for stealing a horse, and was acquitted, while
the horse was condemned to be hanged ! The man had been tried
before for stealing the same horse, and got off, and the poor horse
liked him so well, that he ran away from his proper master and
came back to the thief.
This story is referred to by the bard Iain Lorn, as an illustration of his own iniquitous treatment by the murderer of young
Keppoch. In his ' Oran do Shiol Dughaill' he says,
Cleas na linne nach maireann,
'Bha 'n sgir' Chill'-ma-cheallaig,
'N uair a dhit iad an gearran 's a mhd.
Lagh cho cearr 's a bha 'm Breatunn,
'Riun am mearleach a sheasamh,
'Bhi 'g a thearnadh o leadairt nan cord.
' Like the people of old, in the parish of Kilmacheallag, who
sentenced the horse at the court ; as bad law as ever was in Britain, which upheld the thief, and saved him from the mangling
of ropes.'
See MacKenzie's Sar Obair nam Bard Gaelach, p. 38, and
Campbell's TVest H. Tales, II. 372, 381.
Cha tugadh i deirc do 'n dall air muin a' chrbaich.
She woiddn't give alms to the blind on the cripple's hack.
Cha tugadh ua h-eich an casan as.
135
Cha tuit a' h-uile riid air an tig crathadh.
Evcrytliing falls not that is shaken.
Every wind bloweth not down the corn. Eng.
Ogni vento non scuote il noce. It.
Cha tuit caoran a cliabh falamh.
Peats don't fall from empty creels.
Cha tuit guidhe air cloich no air crann.
Curse won't fall on stock or stone.
The curse causeless shall not come. Prov. xxvi. 2.
Le bestemmie fanno come le procession! ; ritornano donde partirono Citrses, like processions, return ichence they came. It.
Chaidh a phronnadh 'n a shgh fin.
He VMS pounded in his oion juice.
Chaidh an cel air feadh na fidhle,
Tlie music went through the fiddle.
All went into confusion.
Chaidh an taoim os ceann nan totaichean.
Tlie hilge-ivater was over the thwarts.
Chaidh an tonn gun direadh air.
136
Chaill Eoghan a Dhia, acli cliaill an t-Iarla 'chuid
airgid.
Ewen lost his God, hut the Earl his money.
This singular saying is founded on the transaction thus mentioned in an old MS.,
" Sir E. Cameron was bound by alliance, money, and solemn
oath to the MacLeans, but renounced all on Argyll's quitting to
him a debt of 40,000 merks." Mci^ar^ane's Genealog. Coll. MSS.
Adv. Lib. II. 191.
Chailleadh tu do chluasan mur biodh iad 'an ceangal
riut.
You would lose your ears were they not fastened to you.
CM an duin' acrach fada uaithe.
Tiie hungry man sees far. Scot.
Chi dithis barrachd air aon fhear.
137
ach,' &c. ? ' See'st thou the loner grizzled arm V and as it spoke,
the horrid bony hand was stretched towards him. Still the tailor
sewed away, having now but two or three stitches to do. The
spectre was now close to him, its eyeless sockets glaring, its fleshless mouth grinning, the long brown arm and fingers menacing
him, and for the last time the voice was heard, ' Fhaic thu chrg
mhr fhada riabhach, 's i gun bhiadh, a thillear V ' See'st thou
the great grizzled paw, without food, tailor V At that moment
the tailor had finished his last stitch ; he caught up the hose
hastily, and made for the door. Behind him clattered the skeleton, and just as he got out at the door, he felt the bony fingers
like hot pincers grazing his buttock. They left their mark there,
but the tailor escaped alive, and heard the bony hand rattling
against the cheek of the church door, knocking a dint there, in
the stone, which may be seen to this day, to testify to the truth
138
Cho an-iochdmhor ris an Turcach.
As merciless as the Ttirk.
139
Connlaoch was one of the Ossianic heroes, son of Cuchullin, and
broui,'ht up at Dn-sgthaich in Skye, of which the ruins still
remain. There are several ballads on the tragic story of Connlaoch, to be found iii Campbell's Leabhar na Feinne, pp. 9-15. It
forms the subject also of one of the finest pieces in Macpherson's
Ossian.
The name Connlaoch cannot, unfortunately, be represented, as
pronounced, by any English letters, the diphthong ao in particular
(something like the French oeu and the German o) having no place
in the English language.
Cho dall ri bonn do chois.
As Mind as the sole of your foot.
Clio dall ri dallaig. As blind as a dog-fish.
Clio dall ri danih ann an ceo.
As blind as an ox in mist.
Clio daor ris an .t-salann. As dear as salt.
See ' Cha b' e sin an salann saor '.
Clio disgeir ri cat. As nimble as a cat.
Cho dona dlietli ri lair a' ghoblia.
As ill off as the blacksmith's mare.
The smith's mear and the soutar's wife are aye warst shod. Scot.
Cho dudacli ri circ. As thin-skinned as a hen.
Cho elach 's a tha 'm bridean 's an trigh.
As well acquainted as the oyster -catcher is with the shore.
Cho elach 's a tha 'n ladar air a' plioit.
As intimate as the ladle and the pot.
Cho fad 's a bhios bainne geal aig boin dhuibh.
As long as a black cow gives vjhite milk.
This is said to have been once the term of lease of a farm in
IJist.
Cho fad 's a bliios craobh 's a' choill, bidh foill anns
a' ChuimeanacL
140
bestows the same character on the great Campbell clan, a saying
probably dating from the massacre of Glencoe.
' Cho fad 's a bhios maid' 'an coill,
Cha bhi Mathanach gun fhoill,'
euphoniously proclaims the same of the respectable tribe of Matheson. The Munros are similarly libelled.
More stiffly, and with as little known reason, it is said of tlie
MacPhails,
' Fhad 's a bhios fuachd ann a' stoc call,
(or, uisge 'am bun cil)
Bidh an fhoill ann an clann Phil.'
* IVliile there's cold in stock of kail,
Will he guile in a MacPhail.'
Lastly, and worst of all, it has been said, probably by some
Mainland or Long Island victim of Skye treacliery, ' Fhad 's a
bhios fiodh 'an coill, bidh an fhoill 's an Sgitheanach '.
Cho fad 's a bhios monadh 'an Cinntail', cha bhi MacCoinnich gun l 's a' chr.
As long as there are moors in Kintail, Mackenzie won't
ivant cattle in the pen.
This referred to the ancient lords of Kintail, the last of whom
died in 1815. The word ' cr' has a double meaning here, being
the name of a part of Kintail, so called from the river Croe.
Cho fad 's a bhios muir a' bualadh ri lie.
As long as sea heats on stone.
Cho fada 's a' cheann 's a bha Fionn 's na casan.
^.s long in the head as Fingal tvas in the legs.
In some of the Ossianic legends, Fingal figures as a man of
gigantic dimensions, and that is the general tradition about him
and his followers.
Cho fallain ris a' bhreac.
As healthy as a salmon.
It is a sad fact that the immunity from disease of this noble
fish can be claimed for it no longer, after the evidence of 1879.
Cho fuar ri mthair a' chleirich.
141
Cho gionach ris a' ch. As greedy as a dog.
Cho gnu ri broc. As grippy as a badger.
Cho grach ris na h-ein. As thoughtless as the hirds.
Often said of children by nice old women.
Cho labhar ris a' ghaoith. As noisy as the wind.
Cho lidir ri Cuchullin. As strong as Cuchullin.
Cuchullin is one of the principal characters in Scoto-Irish
legendary poetry and history, and is represented as not only a
prodigy of strength, but gifted with every manly grace, a Celtic
Achilles, and something more. In the wonderful old Irish legend
of the ' Tain Bo Cuailgne,' he figures as the hero of the great
struggle, in which he perished fighting against fearful odds, simply
through his magnificent sense of honour and chivalry, knowing
perfectly what he risked. This strange weird story is embodied
by Mr. O'Grady in his History of Ireland.
The description of Cuchullin in his chariot, in the 1st Book of
Macpherson's Fingal is one of the passages in that poem of which
there can be no doubt that he at least was not the author, and
that the original wa.s Gaelic, and old. It contains one amusing
example of Macpherson's inaccuracy, or imperfect knowledge of
his native tongue. The two lines, describing one of the horses,
Bu shoilleir a dhreach, 's bu luath
'Shiubhal : Sithfada b'e ainm,
are well translated by Dr Clerk,
Shining his coat, and speedy
His pace Si-fadda his name.
Macpherson's translation is, ' Bright are the sides of the steed !
His name is Sidin-Sifadda !' The word ' Sith-fada' means 'Longpace,' an admirable name for a horse. Macpherson, misreading
and mistranslating 'shiubhal,' 'his going,' imagined that it was
part of the horse's name, and tacked it on accordingly.
Cuchullin's name is still associated in Skye with the old vitrified fort of Dun Sgthaich at Ord (painted more than once by
M'Culloch), where his son Connlaoch was supposed to have been
born and brought up by his mother, whom Cuchullin in Fingal,
B. I., speaks of as,
De-ghrine Dlmn Sgthaich nan stuadh,
Ainnir bhrigh-gheal nan rosg mall,
Ise 'dh 'fhag mi 'n Innis an t-sligh.
The sunl^eam of Dunscaaich of waves,
White-bosomed fair of gentle eye.
Whom 1 left in the Isle of hosts.
The fashion introduced by writers of guide-books and others,
of calling the Coolin Hills in Skye ' CuchuUin Hills,' is -w-ithou.t
142
any local or historical warrant. They were never known in Skye
by any other name than the Cuilfiiion, prononnced Coolyun.
'Cuilfhinn,' fair, lovely, suggests a fit etymology, but I believe
the name is derived from the fact that the Holly, CuiUonn,
was found in unusual abundance among the ravines of these
moimtains. It still flourishes on the rocky banks of several of
the streams, and on the most conspicuous of the islets in Coiruisk.
The sweet-scented ' Queen of the Meadow' is named in Gaelic
' Crios-Chuchulinn' Cuchullin's belt, of which Alexander MacDonald in his ' Song of Summer' sweetly sings,
'S craidh fileadh do mhuineil,
A Chrios-Chomhchuluinn nan cam.
Sweet is the scent of thy neck.
Thou Belt of Cuchullin of cairns.
Cho lidir ris a' Gliarbh Mac Stirn.
As strong as Garv the son of Starn.
'An Garbh' is simply 'the strong,' a Celtic name bestowed on
a Scandinavian champion, who figures largely in the old Gaelic
ballads. In Macpherson's Ossian he is Swaran, son of Starno, and
brother of Agandecca, whom Cuchullin overcame.
Cho Ian 's 'tha 'n t-ubh de 'n bhiadh.
As full as an egg is of meat.
Cho leisg ri seana ch. As lazy as an old dog.
Cho lionmhor ri muinntir Fhionnlaidh.
As numerous as Finlays people.
This is a Lewis name for the Fairies, of unknown origin.
Cho lionmhor ris na gathan dubha.
143
Cho mear ri ceann siamain ri latha gaoithe.
As merry as the head of a straio-rope on a windy day.
Trivial, but graphic.
Cho mor aig a cheile ri da cheann eich.
As thick as ttvo horse heads.
Al. Cho reidh ris na ceannaichean As ivell-agreed as merchants.
This version looks like a pun = ceann-eich.
Cho mosach ris na glasan.
As mean as the locks.
Lock-fast places are still comparatively uncommon among the
Highland peasantry. As lor locking a main-door at night, that
is never thought of.
Cho nimheil ris an nathair. As venomous as a serpent.
Cho reamhar ris an rn. As fat as a seal.
144
The word is equivalent to Coefig or Cefig, just as Coinrsed in the
Northumbrian dialect represents Cnrped in West-Saxon. It is
an adjective formed from c6f, ' strenuus/ and merely denotes the
' bold or active one '. "
I cannot find the word ' coibhi,' or anything like it, in any
Cymric dictionary, but whatever its origin, the name has been
handed down in Scottish Gaelic for an unknown length of time as
that of an important Druid. The above saying might well be applied to King Aedwin's high-priest, who behaved wath remarkable
wisdom on the occasion above mentioned.
For another saying in reference to Coibhi, see ' Ge fagus clach '.
145
Chiiir e 'bht' air acair.
He set his boat at anchor.
Chuir e 'chliath-chaisg air.
He put the harrow-check on him.
He put a stopper on liim, or a spoke in his wheel.
Chuir e 'clirodh air ireachas.
He sent his cattle to the hill pasture.
Chuir e 'n dubh-chapaill air.
He quite out-did him.
This is a Lochaber phrase of unknown origin. It used to be
the practice at weddings to have a pleasant competition in singing
between ' Da tliaobh an t-sabhail,' the two sides of the barn
often the bride's friends against the bridegroom's. The side that
held out longest would then say to the others, ' An dubh-chapaill
oirbh ! '
Chuir e na buinn 's na breabanan air.
He put the soles and half -soles on.
He used all expedition, and finished the job.
Chuir iad am balgan-suain fo 'cheann.
TJicy put the sleeping-hag under his head.
Applied, says Macintosh, to a person who sleeps too much, in
allusion to the bag or cocoon in which the caterpillar sleeps.
Chuir thu ceann paib air mu dheireadh.
Yoit have put a tow-head on it at last.
Al. ' Ceann grineil,' a vile end.
Said, says I\Iacintosh, of those who destroy all the good they
have done by an ill deed.
Desiuit in piscem mulier formosa superne. Hor.
Chuireadh e na h-ein 'an crannaibh.
He luould make the birds go into trees.
With the sweetness of his voice.
Duncan Maclntyre, describing the Glen Etive women waulking cloth, says
'Nuair a sheinneas iad na h-rain,
Cuiridh iad na h-ein 'an crannaibh.
Chuireadh e 'n rrais air math-ghamhuin.
146
Chuireadh iad na feidh a fsach.
They would send the deer out of a wilderness.
Said of very noisy people.
Chuireadh tu eagal air na Samhanaich.
You would frighten the savages.
This is an Islay saying.
AL Mharbhadh e na Samhanaich li wotdd hill the savages;
said of something very overpowering or unwholesome. See 'Aran'.
Chumadh e dha mii'n do chiimadh triubhas dha.
It was fitted for him before trews were made for him.
It was predestined for him.
Chunnaic mise da Mhac-Coinnich romhad !
I have seen two Machenzies before you !
Two Mackenzie factors.
Factors have rarely been popular in the Highlands. The above
was said by an indignant farmer to a disagreeable factor in Lewis,
when the Mackenzies of Seaforth were lords of that island. At
the burial of a Lewis factor, amid dry eyes, the following verse
was made :
Cuiribh air ! Cuiribh air I
'S e 'chuireadh irnne ;
'S ma dh'eireas e rithist,
Cuiridh e 'n crr oirnn !
Heap on him ! Heap on him !
It's he that would put on us ;
And if he rise again.
He'll just j)ut more on us !
I have heard of even a stronger sentiment expressed in another
island at the burial of a factor who had taken in a great number
of confiding people, left lamenting, not for him, but for their
hardly earned money. One of these victims, a sturdy old man,
stood by the grave when all was over, and shaking his fist at it,
said, ' Na'm bu tig a' la a dh'eireas tu-sa as a sin !' May the day
never come lohen you'll rise out of that !
The Celts of Scotland have never, in modern times, so far as I
know, maltreated, much less killed, a factor, steward, or magistrate. They have often been treated unjustly ; but they are neither
so quick of tongue, nor so unsparing of hand, as their Irish
brethren.
Ciall a dh' fhadai's teine ;
Eian a chumas baile ;
Cha mhair sliochd fir foille ;
No iochd ri 'chuid cloinne.
147
Sense hinlds up a fire ;
Order keeps a city ;
False man's seed endures not ;
Nor will they get pity.
Al. Tr a thogas teine ; ciall a chiiireas as e Wit to maJce a
fire ; sense to put it out.
Cinnidh a' chriontachd, 's tlieid an ro-chriontachd a
dholaidh.
Saving getteth store, over-saving mischief.
Cinnidh Clann-Fhearchair gus an deicheamh linn.
The Farqnliarsons shcdl flourish to the tenth generation.
The Farqiiharsons, says Macintosh, in a lonf]^ note on this, are
also called Clann Fhionnlaidh, i.e., the children of Finlay,
" from Fiiday More, one of their tall chieftains, who bore the
royal standard at the battle of Pinkie ; hence the surnames, Finlay, MacKinlay, and Finlayson. The Farquharsons," he adds,
" are descended of Farchard Shaw, son of Shaw of Dalnavert ; the
present Farqiiharson of Invercauld, their chief, seems to deny this,
and pretends that they are descended of Macdnff, Thane, and
afterwards Earl of Fife, for which assertion neither he nor any
other can show vouchers."
Cinnidh mac o mhi-altrum, ach cha chinn e o 'n Aog.
A child may survive had nursing, hut he cant escape
Death,
Cinnidh Scuit saor am fine,,
Mur breug am fisdine,
Far am faighear an Lia-fil,
Dlighe flaitheas do ghabhail.
The Scottish race shall flourish free,
Unless false the prophecie,
Where the sacred stone is found,
There shall sovereignty have ground.
This saying is undoubtedly Irish, and not Scottish, in the
modern sense of the latter word. As given by Keating (Ed. 1811,
p. 198) it is,
Cineadh Scuit saor an fine,
Mun budh breag an f haisdine,
Mar a fuighid an liagh-fli'til,
Dlighid flaitheas do ghabhail,
Keating gives this as his rendering of the Latin of Hector Boece,
which must therefore be regarded as the first known version of
148
Ni fallat fa turn, Scoti, quocunque locatura,
Invenient lapidem, regnare teueutur ibidem,
ttus translated into English,
The Scots shall brook that realm as native ground,
If weirds fail not, where'er this chair is found.
Keating, however, though indebted to Boece for this verse, quotes
a still older one in reference to the 'Lia-Fil,' from the poet
Cinaeth O'Hartigan, who died, according to Tighernach, in 975
An cloch a ta fam dha shail,
Uaithe raidhtear Inis Fail
The stone that is beneath my feet
From it is styled the Isle of Fail.
Keatinr/s Hist., Ed. 1811, p. 118.
The stone in question, so far as Scotland is concerned, was undoubtedly carried away from Scone by that prince of robbers,
Edward I., and deposited in Westminster Abbey, in the coronation
chair, where every British sovereign has been crowned ever since,
down to our dearly beloved Queen Victoria. So much faith has
the sturdy Saxon ever had, in spite of all his protests and prose,
in Celtic sentiment and prophecy ! Why, else, should he have
made so much of a rough piece of what Professor Geikie has
assured Mr. Skene to be simply a bit of Perthshire sandstone ?
(See Skene's 'Coronation Stone'). Archaeology and Geology combined make sad havoc of traditional faith, for we are assured by
Hector Boece that the precious stone in question was the royal
chair of King Gathelus in Brigantia, and was carried from Spain
to Ireland, and from Ireland to Scotland. Keating, on the other
\iand, tells us that it was brought by the Tuath de Dannan from
Lochlann (Scandinavia) and sent over from Ireland to Scotland
by Murtogh Mac Earc, that his brother, Fergus the Great, ' the
first of our kings, I suppose,' might be crowned on it (A.D. 503).
Some imaginative Saxons, fired by Irish poetry, go a great deal
further than this, and believe, or try to make believe, that this
sufficiently venerable stone is the very stone on which Jacob pillowed his head on that memorable night when he slept and
dreamed at Bethel ; and that our possession of it in Westminster
Abbey is one among a hundred clear proofs that we are the real
Children of Israel the remnant of the lost Ten Tribes !
Apart from all absurdity, that stone is very venerable, and
ought, to every British person, English, Scottish, or Irish, to be
really sacred. The above rhyme is interesting philologically and
historically, whatever be thought of the legend. ' Lia ' = Liag
= Leac, a flat stone, and ' Fl' = prerogative, privilege, privileged
person. King, whence the old name of Ireland, ' Innis-fil '.
Another Irish name for the 'Lia-fil' Ls 'Cloch-na-Cinneamha,'
the Stone of Destiny.
There is a Lochaber saying that possibly refers to the Irish
origin of this sacred stone. It is said, when darning or patching
149
seo mu chloich ghlais an t-sagairt, a' cUach ghlas a bha 'n
Eirinn.' Let me seiv this round the priest's gray stone the gray
stone that was in Ireland.
Ciod a b' ill leat fhaigbinn 'an nead an fhithich ach
am fitlieach fhein?
What would you expect in the, ravens nest hut the
raven itself?
Ciod a dli' iarradh tu air bo ach gnsd ?
What would you expect from a cow hut a groan ?'
The word ' groan' does not quite represent the sound in question. Neither does ' moan' nor ' low'. It is that subdued noise
which a cow utters as her ordinary expression of feeling.
Ciod a's fhearr a dh' innseas an cladli na 'n
Wliat hetter guide to the churchyard than the
Ciod a's misde duine 'chreach, miir lughaid a
What is a man the worse of being plimdered if
diminish his jprodiice ?
eaglais ?
church ?
phr e ?
it does'iit
150
which the road-side dykes are to a large extent built, the other
noted, or claiming to be, for the beauty of its women.
Clachan beag a' dol an iochdar, 's clachan mor a' dol
an uaclidar.
The little stones going down, and tiie big ones coming to
the top.
A physical fact, and a human experience also.
Clachan dubh' an aghaidh smth.
Black stones against the stream.
Clachair Samhraidh, diol-dirc Geamhraidh.
Summer mason, Winter heggar.
Sometimes the case still, but seldom compared with old times.
Claidheamh an limh amadain, 'us slachdan an limh
insich.
A sioord in a fools hand, a heetle in an idiot's.
Ne'er put a sword in a wud man's hand. Scot.
Mi) TratSt fidxaipav Don't give a sword to a child. Gr.
Ne puero gladium. Ne gladium toUas, muUer. Lat
Clann Mhic-Codmim nan rn.
The seal Mac Codrums.
There is a legend about the Mac Codrums having been
metamorphosed into seals, too long to be given here. They retained, along with the amphibious shape, the human soul, and at
times, human form. They were, in fact, seals by day, but human
creatures at night. No Mac Codrum, for all the world, would, if
in his proper senses, fire a gun at a seal.
Clann Mhuirich a' bhrochain.
The gruelly Mac Phersons.
* Mac Neacail a' bhrochain 's an droch aran erna ' Nicolson
of the gruel and bad barley bread, is a Skye saying. The same is
sometimes said of the Mac Askills. But it is apparently borrowed
from a Badenoch song, in which an old woman says
Tha 'n cnatan orm,
Tha 'n tchan orm,
Tha 'm brochan ""an coinneamh mo lths 'thoirt uam.
151
sayings. Literally it is ' in each other's shoulders,' i.e., each with
his arm round the shoulder of the other, as Highlanders would
do in crossing a deep water together.
Claoidhidh foighidinn mhath na clachan.
Patience ivill wear out stones.
Clr mr fo bheagan.
Big dish and little on it.
The clr was a big wooden dish, and I suppose is not yet obsolete in the Highlands.
Cleamhnas 'am fagus, 'us goisteachd 'am fad.
Affinity near, sponsorship far off.
Cleas gille-nan-cual cual bheag 'us tighinn trie.
Tlie porters trick, a little load and frequent.
Al. Cuallach a' mhic-leisg The lazy lad's herding.
Al. Tarruing chailleach Old wives' drawing.
Cloicheirean spgach, ogha na muile-mig'.
The tvaddling stone-chat, the frog's grand-child.
A Lismore saying, suggestive of the development theory.
Cluich a' chas a chompaich.
Play the foot, my comrade.
Giving one's companion leg bail.
Cluich a' chuilein ris an t-fvcan-chu.
The play of the j)np with the old dog.
Al. Mir' a' chiiilein ris a' mhial-chu.
Cluinnidh am bodhar fuaim an airgid.
The deaf can hear the silver clink.
Cluinnidh an dthaich 'us c Eob cheaird e.
The country will hear it, and Boh Tinker's dog too.
Cluinnidh tu air a' chluais a's buidhr' e.
152
Cn a uachdar a' mhogail.
A nut from the upper side of the cluster.
Supposed to be the best. See * Bidh an ubhal a's fhearr '.
Cnatan Dh'ill Mhic-Mhartainn.
Donald Martins cold.
A Lochaber saying. Donald was said to take a cold once a
quarter, which lasted three months. The Mac Martins in that
country are Camerons.
Cnoic 'us uisg' 'us Ailpeinich, acli c'uin a thainig
Artaraich ?
Hills and water and MacAlpines, but when did the
MacArthurs come
A I. ' Cnoic 'us uillt,' Hills and streams. 'Cnoic 'us uilc,' Hills
and ills.
' Meaning,' says Macintosh, ' that the MacGregors are as old
as the hills.' As already noted, under ' Cha robh balach,' they
trace their descent from Alpin, King of Scots in the first half of
the 9th century, and Macintosh quotes an old verse in reference
to their descent :
Sliochd nan righribh dthchasach,
'Bha shios 'an Un-s-d-innis,
Aig an robh crn na h-Alb' o thus,
153
Co air a rinn thu sid ? Ort f hein, a ghridh.
On whom did you do that On yourself, my dear.
Co dh a b' fhearr a b' aitlme an cat a tlioirt as a'
mbtiighe, na do 'n fhear a chnir ann e ?
IVIio hioivs test to take the cat out of the churn tut he
that put her in
Ye served me as the wife did the cat, coost me in the kirn,
and syne harled me oot again. /Scof.
Co dlia bliios Mac-Mhathain gu math, mur bi dlia
fhein ?
To vjhom will Mathcson he good, if not to himself
Co dhibh 's ann air sratli no 'n gleann, 's ann as a
ceann a bhligliear a' bho.
Whether on strath or in glen, 'tis from her head the
cow's milk comes.
As a cionn a bhiichtear an bho. Ir.
Godroid buwch o' i phen. JFelsh.
154
Coimhearsnacli bun an doruis.
Next door neighbour.
Al. C. na h-ursann Door-post neighbour.
Coinneach do 'thigh, crionach a chonnadh, blth o 'n
bhoine, teth o 'n teine.
Moss to his house, brush-wood for his fuel, warm milk
from the coio, heat from the fire.
Attributed to the ' Ollamh Ileacli' as an advice for old people.
Coinnichidh na daoine ged nach coinnich na cnuic.
Men may meet, but mountains never. Eng.
155
A wink to the wise, a kick to the fool. ^ra6.
A nod for a wise man, a rod for a fool. Eng.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the
fool's back Prov. xxvi. 3.
Comhairle clag Sgain ;
An rud nach buin dut na buin da.
Coiinsel of the bell of Scone,
Touch not what is not
The voice of the Bell
royalty, was taken to
which the fundamental
thine oivn.
of Scone, the ancient seat of Scottish
represent the voice of Law and Justice, of
maxim is ' Suum cuique '.
156
Croiseam thu ! The cross he between us
Cromaidh an coileach circ' a cheann 'an dorus an tigh'
mhoir.
The cock lows his head at the great house door.
See ' Ged is iosal '.
Cruaidh mar am fraoch, buan mar an giiithas.
Hard as the heather, lasting as the pine.
The heather is the badge of the MacDonalds, the pine of the
MacGregors.
Cruaidh mu 'n pheighinn, 's bog mu 'n mharg.
Hard cibout the inmny, soft about the merle.
Penny wise and pound foolish. -Eji^r., Scot.
Crbaiche coin, leisgeul bhan, 's mionnan marsanta
tha iad coltacli ri cheile.
A dog's limping, a woman's excuse, a merchant's oath
they are like each other.
No es de vero lagrimas en la muger, ni coxear en el perro
Woman^s tears and dog's liviping are not real. ^ilmn.
Cruinneacliadh cruaidh agus leigeadh farsuinn.
Hard gathering and free spending.
The father scraping and the son scattering.
Cruinuichidh na fithich far am bi a' chairbh.
Where the carcase is the ravens will gcdher.
"Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered
together. Matth. xxiv. 28.
C an da fheidh, is minig a bha 'fhiadh air chall.
The dog of tvjo deer has often lost his deer.
Al. Coltach ri c an da fheidh, a' call romhad 's 'ad dheigh.
Eith na con a n-digh d lliadh. Ir.
'O Svo TtTcKas iKcv vfTfpov KaraXafi^avei He that chases
two hares catches neither. Gr.
Uuos insequens lepores neutrum capit. Lat.
Qui court deux Uvres, n' en prendra aucun. Fr.
Chi due lepri caccia, 1' una non piglia, e 1' altra lascia. Ital.
Wer zwei Hasen zugleich hetzt, fangt gar keinen. Germ.
157
Cuid an t-searraich de 'n chlith.
The foaVs share of the harrow.
Going beside his dam.
Cuidich leat fhein, 's cuidichidh Dia leat.
Help thyself, and God ivill help thee.
Al. Dean do dhichioll, 's cuidichidh Dia leat.
Cuidigheann Dia leis an t a chuidigheas leis fin. Ir.
Hilf dir selbst, so hilft dir Gott. Germ.
Help u zelven, zoo helpt u God. Butch.
Hielp dig selv, da hielper dig Gud. Dan.
Aide-toi, le ciel t-aidera. Fr.
Quien se guarda, Dios le guarda. /Spcm.
Chi s' aiuta, Dio 1' aiuta. Ital.
2j/ 'A6r]v Ka x^'-P"- i^'i-vd- Mod. Gr.
Cuigeal don-sniomhaich. Bad spinner's distaff.
Said of an unthrifty or untidy woman.
Cuimhnich air na daoine bho 'n d'thainig tliu,
Eememher those you came from.
A very Highland sentiment. Sometimes it is ' Cuimhnich air
cruadal nan daoine,' &c. Think of the fortitude of ijour forefathers ;
a sentiment which has proved strong on many a battlefield. '
Cuir a mach an Sasunnach, 's thoir a stigh an c.
Put out the Englishman, and take in the dog.
This is a Lochaber saying, supposed to date from the time of
Cromwell, whose soldiers scourged that country severely.
Cuir an tuagh air an t-samhaich cheart.
Put the axe on the right helve.
Put the saddle on the right horse,
158
Cuir do mliuingliinn 's an talamli, cha d' fhg e
falamh riamh thu.
Put thy trust in the earth, it never left thee empty.
A good motto for farmers.
Cuir innte, 's cuiridh an saoghal uimpe.
Give her food, and the ivorld will clothe her.
Macintosh's note on this is, ' The back will trust, but the belly
will still be craving '.
Cuir manadh math air do mhanadli, 's bidli tu sona.
Interpret good from thy omen, and thou shall he lucky.
As Caesar did, when he fell on the British shore.
Cuireadh cl na coise. The hack-leg invitation.
Al. Fiadhachadh cl na h-iosgaid.
That of a person who gives a faint invitation, and escorts one
out of the house, saying, ' I am soiTy you couldn't stay ',
Cuireadh ]\Ihic-Philip ' gabh no fag '.
M^Killops invitation ' take or leave \
Cuiridli an teanga snaim nach fuasgail an fhiacail.
The tongue will tie a knot tvhich the tooth can't unloose.
Cuireann duine snaini le n- a theangaidh nach bh- fhuasglochaidh 'fhiacla. Ir.
The English and Scottish versions are nearly in the same words.
Matrimony is referred to.
Cuiridh aon bheairt as gu lorn
Do dhuine 's gun a chonn fo 'cheill ;
'Us cuiridh beairt eil' e ann,
159
Cuiridh e teine ris na tobraichean.
He will set the wells on fire.
This looks like setting the Thames on fire.
Cuiridh peirceall na caora 'n crann air an fharadh.
The sheep's jaw will put the plough on the hen-roost.
This prediction is attributed to a famous Highland seer of the
1 7th century, Coinneach Odliar, but it was made long before that
by no less a person than Thomas the Rhymer. His saying,
' The teeth of the sheep shall lay the plough on the shelf,'
is quoted by Dr. Chambers in his Popular Rhymes of Scotland,
with special reference to the changes of tenantry in the Highlands, in some parts of which sheep-farming has entirely supplanted
agriculture. Rushes and heather may be seen now in fields that
once yielded fair crops, and sheep in place of the men that tilled
them.
Cuiridh mi clach 'ad chrn.
I'll add a stone to your cairn.
See ' Am fear nach mudaich ',
C1 gaoith' 'us aghaidh greine.
Back of wind and face of sun,
A phrase in the old stories, descriptive of a pleasant retreat.
Cum an d-dhuine air do thaobh; bidh an deaghdhuine agad daonnan.
Keep the ill man on your side; the good man you'll
always have.
Cum an fheill air a latha. Keep the fair on its day.
Keep the feast till the feast-day. Scot.
Cum an t-eathar bho chladach an fhasgaidh, 's fanaidh
i fhein bho chladach an lliuaraidh.
Keep the hoat from the lee-shore, and she'll keep herself
from the wind-shore.
Cum do ch ri 'leigeadh.
Hold your dog till the starting-time.
Don't loose your hound where there is nothing to limit. Arah.
Cum do theanga 'n ad chuimse.
Keep your tongue in hand.
The mouth is the tongue's prison. Arah.
'Apyvp TO fifXrifia, xp^f^ to aiwna Speech is silvern, silence
golden. Mod. Gr.
160
Cromadli gun ghainne 's a' chaol ;
Aon eanga cliag 's an osan ;
Seachd eangan 'am bial a tlieach ;
Is tearc an neach do nach foghainn ;
Air a clmmadh gu direach ;
Agus a tri 's a' ghobhal.
A full finger-length to the small;
Eleven nails to the leg ;
Seven nails to the hand ;
There are few whom that wont suffice;
Let it he shaped straight ;
And three nails to the fork.
This quaint rhyme is called ' Cumadh an TriubhaLs,' Tlie
ing of Trews. A 'nail' is 2^ inches, and Macintosh says
some of these nails should be doubled '.
Cumaidh a' mliiic fhein a fail fhein glan.
Uven the soiv ivill keep her ovm stye clean.
The tod keeps aye his ain hole clean. ^coi.
Cumaidh an gearr-phoca uiread ris a' chorr-phoca.
The little hag holds as much as the hig hag.
'Cumaidh mi ri m' leannan/ ars an nighean, 'beul sioda
's cridhe cainbe.'
/ will keep to my sweetheart, said the girl, a mouth of
silk and a heart of hemp.
Beul eidhnin, a's croidhe cuilinn A mouth of ivy, and a heart
of holly. Ir.
Cumhachd do charaid, agus trillealachd do nmhaid
a dhthcha !
Power to the friend, and thraldom to the enemy of his
country !
Tliis is what used to be called a 'sentiment' for a toast.
Cnradh math fada bho limh.
A good hargain far away.
Cuspach, 'us gag, 'us eill-bhuinn, 's mairg an spg air
am beireadh iad.
Kihe and crack and hurning heel, pity the foot they
come on.
All these ailments are known only to people that go barefooted.
The second one gives rise to another saying, ' Ceuni air gig,' applied to persons who walk reluctantly, as if they had a sore foot,
or delicately, like King Agag.
D bhuille dliiag fodair, 's gim bhuill' idir air son sl.
Twelve strokes for straw, and no stroke for seed.
Great cry and little wool. See ' Buill'air gach craoibli '.
Da cheann an taoid, 'us cead a tharruing.
Both ends of the rope, and leave to pidl it.
Da dhi, gun aon roghainn. Tvjo evils and no choice.
At the battle of Inverlochy, 1645, Alexander MacDonell, son
of Coll (Colkitto) having made prisoner of Campbell of Achnabreac, said he would honour him by giving him his choice, whether
to be beheaded or hanged. Campbell answered in the above words,
and MacDonell struck off his head with his own hand. Teachd.
Gael, Vol. II., p. 135.
Da thrian buidhinn barant.
Assurance is tivo-thirds of success.
Dail gu la na sluasaid. Delay to the day of the shovel.
The day of burial.
Dir na coille. The rutting of the wood.
Applied, according to Armstrong (Did.), to the first night of
the New Year, when the wind blows from the west.
Dan' ath-bhuailte. Bold, twice heaten.
Dallta aran-erna Mhic Philip, a' dol 'am feoljhas, 's
'am feobhas.
Like Mac Killop's larley hrcad, getting letter and
better.
I have been imable to ascertain anything about the M'Killop
who gave rise to the various proverbs in which he is named.
The word ' dallta ' is not common, and is not given in any of
oiM- dictionaries, except Shaw's and MacAlpine's ; and in O'Eeilly's
Ir. Diet. Shaw is given as authority for the word. It means ' like,
likeness, in manner of '. It is not surprising that it was in the 2d
Ed. of Macintosh confounded with ' dalta,' foster-child, and translated accordingly in this and the next proverb.
Dallta 'cliinn charraicli, nach fulling fuachd no teas.
Like the scabby head that cant endure cold or heat.
11
162
Drna bean a' chlrsair a' chlrsach fhin.
The harpers second wife the harjp itself.
See ' Eud bean a' chruitear '.
Neil Gow's fiddle was said to be his second wife ; and there is
a tune so called.
D am feum a tha 's a' phiob mur cluithear oirre ?
IVliat's the good of the pipe if it's not played on ?
Dean iU de 'n igin. Make a will of necessity.
Make a virtue of necessity. Eng.
Dean air d' adhais, 's ann a 's luaithe.
Take it easy, you'll speed better.
See 'Cha 'n e an ro-chabhaj'.
Festina lente exactly expresses this.
Dean an t-olc 's feith ri 'dheireadh.
Do the ill and wait the end.
The grave irony of this is very good.
Dean th no muileann deth.
Mak' a kirk or a mill o't Scot.
' Dean Eige no Arisaig dheth' Make, Eigg or Arisaig of it, is a
Mull saying, used when a head wind and dirty weather come on,
after the point of Ardnamurchan is passed, going northward.
Dean bonnach mor mu Inid,
'Us fear eile mu Chisg ;
'S cho fad 's a bhios rud agad,
Cha bhi thu falamh gu brth.
Make a tig cake at Shrove-tide, and another at Easter ;
and as long as you have anything, you'll never be wanting.
Dean cnuasachd 's an t-Samhradh, a ni an Geamhradh
a cbur seachad.
Gather in Summer what will serve for the Wiiiter.
Dean do gharadh far an d' rinn thu d' fhuarachadh.
163
Dean do shianadh bho 'n Diabhol 's bho chlann an
tighearna.
Sain thyself frae the Deil and the lairds bairns Scot.
This was probably addressed first by a father to his daughters.
Dean fan aid air do slieana bhrgan, 'n uair a gheabli
thu do blirgan nodlia.
Make game of your old shoes when you get the new ones.
Don't throw out the dirty water till you get in the clean.
Dean maorach 'fhad 's a bhios an trigh ann.
Get hait lahile the tide is out.
Dean math 'an aghaidh an uilc.
Do good against the ill.
Overcome evil with good. St. Paul.
Dean math do dheadh dhuine,
'S bidli an deadh dhuine do 'reir ;
Dean math do neo-dhuine,
'S bidh an neo-dhuine dha fhein.
Do good to a worthy man,
And worthy will he be,
Do good to a ivorthless man,
And selfish still is he.
The Ulster version is nearly identical,
Dean maith air dheagh-dhuine,
A's gheabhaidh tu d' a reir ;
Acht ma ghnidhir maith air dhrch-dhiiine,
Beidh an drch-dhiiine do lein.
Dean na thig dhut, 's chi thu na 's ait leat.
Do what becomes you, and you'll see what pleases you.
A neat statement of the doctruie of the TrpeVoi/.
164
Deireadh gacli luing' a btliadh,
Deireadli gach th a losgadh,
Deireadh flaith a chaineadh.
Deireadh slinte osna.
The end of each ship her drowning.
The end of each kiln its burning,
The end of a priiice, reviling.
The end of health a sigh.
Al. Deireadh gach comuinn sgaoileadh,
Deireadh gach bta 'bristeadh,
Deireadh gach th a losgadh,
Deireadh gach cogaidh sith.
The end of all meetings to part,
The end of all boats to be broken,
The end of all kilns to be burnt,
The end of all wars peace.
The Ulster version is,
Deireadh gach luinge, bthadh,
^ Deireadh gach iche, losgadh,
Deireadh gach cuirme, caitheamh,
A's deireadh gach gire osna.
Deireadh mo sgeil mo sguidseadh, dol h-ugam air
mo dhruim.
The end of my story a switching on my hack.
The identity of 'sguidseadh' and 'switching' is obvious.
Deireadh nan seachd Sathurn' ort !
The end of the seven Saturdays to you !
No satisfactory explanation can be got of this very familiar
saying. It has been ingeniously interpreted as referring to the
end of the seven weeks of Lent, when mutual congratulations are
given in some Christian countries, in remembrance of the Resurrection-day. But unfortunately for this explanation, the saying
with us has always conveyed a bad wish instead of a good one.
165
The belief, and the customs associated with it, on this point,
are very natural, and common to all the principal races of the
world.
Deoch air a' phathadh nach d' thinig.
Drink for the thirst tliat came not.
Too common an indulgence.
Deocli-an-doruis. Tlu door-drink.
The door-drink, or stirrup-cup, is one of the oldest of institutions. Tlie following pretty verses were composed by a very good
man, Duncan Lothian :
Sln do d' mhnaoi ghil, sln do d' mhacaibh,
Sln do d' tlieach o 'm binne cel ;
Sln do d' shridibh geala gainmhich,.
Sln do d' bheanntaibh o 'm bi ceo.
Bho 'n a thrladh dhuinn 'bhi sona,
'Us beairt dhona nach tig ruinn,
Air ghaol slth, 's air eagal conais,
Thugar Deoch an Doruis dhuinn !'
Deoch Chlann-Donuchaidh.
TJie Robertsons stinmp-ciqj.
Deoch mhor do Bhrian, 's b'e sin a mhiann.
A big drink to Brian, and that's his desire.
Brian's habits would not be considered so singular now as to
become proverbial.
Dh' aitlmich mi gur meann a bheireadh a' ghobhar.
/ knew it woidd be a kid the goat ivoidd bear.
Dh' aithnichinn air do sheirc do thabhartas.
I would know your gift by your gradousness.
166
Dheanadh Niall clrsaichean, na 'n cuireadh each cel
annta.
Neil would make harps, if others would put music into
them.
" Dheanadh sin e," mu 'n dubhairt an c mu 'n ch.
' That would do it,' as the dog said about the cream.
When the dog was desired to lick cream, he asked, ' Why ? '
* Because it is spilt,' replied his mistress. ' That would do it,'
said the dog. Note by Macintosh.
Dheanadh tii eaonnag ri d' dh lurgainn.
You would quarrel with your oivn two shins.
At. Bheireadh tu conas a d' leth-lurga You would get a quarrel
out of one of your legs.
Dh' fhalbh ' b' fhearr learn,' 's cha b' fhearr be e.
' Would that ' is gone, and it's no loss.
Dh' fhalbh e 'n a phrineachan 's na shnthadan.
It went away in pins and needles.
Dh' fhalbh Peairt, thuit an drochaid 1
Perth is gone, the bridge is down !
This is said on the occasion of some great catastrophe. The fall
167
Dh' ith e 'chuid de 'n bhonnach-shodail.
He eat his share of the flattery -hanrwck.
Said of sycophantic people.
Dh' ith e 'm biadh mu 'n d' rinn e 'n t-altachadh.
He eat the food before saying grace.
Dh' itheadh e 'chain a bh' aig Pdruig air Eirinn.
He would eat St. Patrick's tribute from Ireland.
See note to ' Cha phigheadh '.
In a story about Ossian, given in Campbell's West Higlil. Tales,
II. 105 (also in Smith's Summer in Skye), it is said of lum, ' Bha
e dall, bodhar, bacach, 's bha naoidh dealgan daraich 'n a bhi-oinn ;
's e 'g itheadh na cin a bh' aig Pdruig air Eirinn' He was blind,
deaf, lame, and had nine oaken skewers in his belly; and was
eating the tribute Patrick had over Ireland. This story was found
in Barra and in Skye.
Dh' itheadh na caoraich an cuid roimhe.
The sheep might eat through it.
Said of thinly woven cloth.
Dh' ladh e Loch Slaopain.
He tvoidd drink Loch Slapin.
168
Diluain a' bhreabain. Shoe-sole Monday.
Monday of chastisement, the terror of boys. H. Soc. Diet.
Diluain 'an deaghaidh na feille. Monday after the fair.
A day after the fair. Eng.
Diocliiiimhneachadli a' phsaidh, leis cho suaracli 's
a bha 'bhanais.
Forgetting the marriage, from the ivretehedness of the
wedding.
I had nae mind I was married, my bridal was sae feckless. Scot.
Dioghailt fear na dlach. The tardy man's revenge.
Diolaidh saothair ainfhiach. Industry pays debt.
Diombuil buaile, bo gun laogh.
A fold's reproach, a yeld eoiv.
Diongam fear ma dh' fhuiricheas mi, agus fuilingeam
teicheadh.
I'll match a man if I stay, and I can suffer a retreat.
Dirdaoin' a' bhrochain mhoir. Great gruel Thursday.
169
Di rath an donihain, 'us di clatli an domliain ann;
buidhe, dubh, 'us riabhacli.
Worst lot in the world, and worst colours on earth are
there, yellow, black, and brindled.
A punning satire on Jura, by a discontented poetess Campbell's IF. H. Tales, II. 353.
Dithaidh nam beatliaichean firionn.
The refuse of male creatures.
Said of a very contemptible man.
Dleasaidh airm urram. Arms merit honour.
DKithas nan cirdean ri cliile.
The nearness of kiiidred to each other.
Do rogha leannain, 's do theann-shth spridh' ort !
Thy choice of siocet-heart, and full store of cattle to thee !
Do spuir fhein 'an each fir eile.
Your oivn spurs in another man's horse.
Al. ' Mo shlat fhein ' My omn switch. See ' Cha bhi each. '.
Dona uime, dona aige. Ill with it, ill with him.
This means that a curmudgeon gets little good of that which
he so grudges to part with.
Dnull da fhein. Donald for himself.
Dorcha, doirionnta, dubh,
170
Eunlaith an aon eite a n-infheacht ag eitiollaigh. /r.
The birds will resort unto their like. /So7i, of Sirach.
"Ofioiov fiotc 0iXoi/. Gr. Siniile appetit simile. Lat.
Pares cum paribus facUlime congregantur. Cic.
Birds of a feather flock together. Eng., Scot.
Vogel von gleichen Federn fliegen gern beisammen. Germ.
Elk zijns gelijk, 't zij arm of rijk. Dutch.
Qui se ressemble s' assemble. Fr.
Simili con simili vanno.- Ital.
Cada oveja con su pareja. Span.
Driiim a' sgadain, trr a' bhradain, 's cl-cinn a' bhricdhuibh.
The herrinrjs hack, tJie salmon's belli/, and hack of head
of black trout.
The choice parts.
Duais fir dhatliaidh a' chiun.
The reward of the man that singes the head.
Duine coir an rathaid mhoir 's beisd mhor a's tigh,
A fine man abroad, and a great beast at home.
E.
Eadar a' bhaobh 's a' bhuarach.
'T'wixt the vixen and the cow-fetter.
' Betwixt the Devil and the deep sea.'
It was a superstitious fancy that if a man got struck hy the
'buarach' he would thenceforth be childless !
Eadar a' chlach 's an sgrath.
'Twixt the stone mid the turf,
Eadar a' chraobh 's a rsg.
Between the tree and its hark.
Eadar am bogha 's an t-sreang.
Between the how and the string.
Eadar am fiar 's am fodar.
Between the hay and the straw.
Eadar an long nodha 's an seann mdha.
Between the new ship and the old headland.
' Nodha' is a less common form of ' nuadh '.
Eadar an sgh 's an t-slat.
Between the sap and the sapling.
Eadar an t-euradh 'us aimbeairt.
Between denial and want.
This was said by Fingal to be the worst plight he ever was in.
See ' An uaisle '.
Eadar an tuthadh 's an raineach.
Between the thatch and the hracken.
Eadar dh chathair tuitear gu lr.
Between two scats one comes down.
Thainig a ton chun talamh eadar a dha sdl. Ir.
Eddyr daa stoyl ta toyn er laare. Manx.
Between two stools the tail goeth to ground. Eng.
Tusschen twee stoelen valt de aars op de aarde. Dutch.
Entre deux selles, le cul terre. Fr.
Eadar dha lionn. 'Twixt sinking and swimming.
Lit. 'Between two liquids,' i.e., the upper and lower water.
Eadar dha sgial. By the way.
Lit. ' Between two stories.' Al. ' dha naigheachd.'
172
Eadar dh theine.
Betwixt two fires.
Eadar long 'us limhrig.
Betwixt ship and landing-place,
Eadar fheala-dh 's a rireadh.
Betwixt fun and earnest.
Eadar lamb 'us taobh.
Bettvixt hand and side.
Eadar leir 'us eatorras.
Betimxt plenty and mediocrity.
Eadar na srutbaibb.
Betwixt the currents.
Eadraiginn nan ceard..
Going hcttveen tinkers.
Those who in quarrels interpose
Must often wipe a bloody nose. Gay.
173
Eisd ri gaoth nam beaun gus an traoigh na h-uisgeachan.
Listen to the mountain tuind, till the streams abate.
Eisd le goith na m-beann, go d-thraoghaidh na h-uisgibh. /r.
Ein a chur do 'n choille.
Sending birds to the wood.
Sending owls to Athens, &c.
F.
Fad a clioise do'n laogh, 's fad an taoid do'n chuileinchoin.
The length of his foot to the calf, the length of the leash
to the luhclp.
Fad fin foinneach an la. The live-long day,
Al. Fad fionna-fuaireanach.
Fada blio'n t-sil, fada blio'n chridhe.
Far from the eye, far from the heart.
Al. As an t-sealladh, as a' chuimline.
A bh-fhad as amharc, a g-ciann as intinn. Ir.
Ass sliilley, ass smooinagtyn. Manx.
Allan oiwg allan o feddwl. Welsh.
Qui procul ab oculis, prociil a limite cordis. Lat
Far from eye, far from heart Out of sight, out of mind. Eng.
175
Fgaidh soda, srl, 'us sgrlaid,
Gun teine gun tuar an fhvdacli.
Silk and satin and scarlet leave the hearth cold and
colourless.
Silks and satins put out the fire in the kitchen. >Eng.
Sammt und Seide loschen das Feiier in der Kiiche aus. Germ.
Fgaidb tu e mar gu 'm fgadh bo a buachar.
You leave it as a caw her dung.
Fgar an t-inneach gu deireadh.
176
that this experiment should be performed. The lad sent was
177
Faodaidh e 'blii gur duine math thu, ach cba 'n 'eil
gniiis deadh dhuin' agad, mu'ii dubhairt Xiall naiu
beann ris a' chat.
Yoio may be a good man, hut you havent the face of
one, as Neil of the mountain said to the cat.
Faodaidh fear na riiith Iciim.
He that runs may Icajy.
Faodaidh fearg sealltainn a steach 'an cridh' an duine
ghlic, ach cmhnaichidh i 'n cridh' an amadain.
Anger may look in on a tvise mans heart, hut it abides
in the heart of a fool.
Anger restetli in the bosom of fools. EccL. "\di. 9.
Faodaidh freumhan cam a bhi aig faillean direach.
A straight sapling may have a crooked root.
Faodaidh gnothach an righ tighinn 'an rathad cailleach
nan cearc.
The king's business may come in the way of the henivife.
The king may come in the cadger's gait. Scot.
Faodaidh hiingeas 'mr dol air taisdeal fada,
Ach feumaidli sgothan beaga seladli dlth do'n
chladach.
Big ships may sail to distant strand.
But little boats must hug the land.
Faodaidh seann each sitir a dheanamh.
An old horse may neigh.
Faodaidh sinn eag a chur 's an ursainn.
We may cut a notch in the doorpost.
Said on the occasion of a long expected or unexpected visit, =
marking the day with a white stone. Macintosh's version is
' Feudaidh sinn crois a choir 's an tuire ; crois an tuire, crois an
sgxiirre,' translated, ' We may strike a hack in the post. Nay, 'tis
unlucky, replies the guest.'
' Eag,' or ' crois, 's a' chlodha,' a notch, or cross in the tongs, or
' 's a' ghobhal, ' in the supporting-beam, are variations.
Faodar an t-r fhin a cheannach tuille 'us daor.
Gold itself may be bought too dear.
Feadaim or do cheannach go daor. Ir.
Gowd may be dear cost. Scot.
Aurimi irrepertum, et sic melius situm. Hor.
12
178
Faoigh' a' gliliocais. The prudent legging.
Begging for assistance in setting up house. See note to * Cha
'n e rogha'.
Faoighe fir gun chaoraich.
The contribution of a man vjitiout sheep.
Al. ' Fir falaimh.' A contribution of wool from a man -vAthout
sheep would be suspicious.
Faoileag an droch chladaich. Tlie sea-gull of a had shore.
Applied to poor creatures, still preferring their wretched home.
Faoileag na li-aon chloiche. The sea-gull of one stone.
Faoilleacli, Faoilleach, lmli 'an crios,
Faoilte mhor bu choir 'bhi ris ;
Crodh 'us caoraich 'ruitli air theas,
Gal 'us caoin bu choir 'bhi ris.
February cold and keen,
Welcome hath it ever been ;
Sheep and cattle running hot,
Sorrow that will bring, I wot.
Al. Faoilleach, Faoilleach, crodh air theas,
Gal 'us gaoir nitear ris,
Faoilleach, Faoilleach, crodh 'am preas,
Filt' 'us faoilte nitear ris.
February, cows in heat,
Sorrow will the season greet ;
February, cows in wood.
Welcome is the weather good.
Faothachadh gille 'ghobha; bho na h-iiird gus na
builg.
The relief of the smith's lad, from the hammer to the
bellows.
Sgiste ghioUa an ghobha, na builg chum na h-inneoin. Ir.
Far am bi a' mhuc, bidh fail.
Where the sow is a stye luill be.
Far am bi an deadh-dhuine, is duin' e 'n cuideachd 's
'n a aonar.
Where a good man is, he is a man, whether in company
or alone.
Far am bi an t-iasg, 's ann a bhios na h-ein.
Where the fish is, the birds will be.
179
Far am bi bo bidli bean, 's far am bi bean biclh buair-
eadh.
Where a cow is, a ivoman will he, and where a woman
is will he temptation.
Al. For ' buaireadh,' 'mollachd,' 'clragh,' 'aimlireit,' miscliief,
trouble, strife.
This saying is attributed to St. Columba, who for the time must
have forgotten that he and his brethren needed mothers.
Far am bi cearcan bidh grcan.
Where hens are will he cachling.
Far am bi cnocan bidh fasgadh.
Where a hillock is will he shelter.
Far am bi do chrdh bidh do lmh; far am bi do
ghrdh bidh do thathaich.
Where your pain is your hand vjill he ; cohere your
love is your haunting will he.
Al. Far am bi mo ghaol, bidh mo thathaich.
Far am bi geidh, bidh iseanan.
Where geese are will goslirigs he.
Far am bi mi fhein, bidh mo thuagh.
Where I am myself, my axe vnll he.
Said by a smith who always carried an axe, on being asked to
leave it behind him. He added, ' Gach ni riamh ge 'n d'fhuair,
's ann air mo thuaigh a bhuidheachas' Wiiatever I have got,
thanks to my axe for it.
Far am bi saoir, bidh sliseagan,
Far am bi mni, bi giseagan.
Where carpenters are, toill he shavings,
Where women are, will he spells.
Al. 'Far am bi cailleachan' Where old wives are.
Far am bi toil bidh gniomh.
Come will come deed.
Where there's a will there's a way. Eng.
Far an caill duin' a sporan is ann a 's coir dha 'iarraidh.
iiniere a man loses his purse, he should look for it.
Donde perdiste la capa (cape), ay la cata. Sjpan.
Far am faic thu toll cuir do chorag ann.
Where you see a hole put your finger in.
180
181
Faram, 's na toiream, fasan Chlann-Dnuill.
Give me, hut let me not give tiie MacDonald fasTiion.
Al. 'S ann de shliochd 'Faram 's cha toirinn' thu.
Ye come o' the Mac Taks, and no' o' the Mac Gies. Scot.
Farraid air fios, farraid a's miosa a th' ann.
Asking what one knoivs, the worst hind of asking.
Al. Foighneachd air fios, foighneachd a 's mios' air bith.
See 'An rud a chuir na Maoir'.
Farraid de dhiiin' a glialar.
Ask a man lohat his ailment is.
Farraididh a h-uile fear, ' c6 a rinn e ? ' ach clia 'n
f harraid iad, ' cia f had a bha iad ris ? '
Every one will ask, ' who made it ? ' hut they won't ask,
'how long was it in making?'
Fas a' ghruinnd a reir an uachdarain.
The yield of the ground is according to the landlord.
This is an important truth in Political Economy.
Fsaidh an fheil 'fhad's is beo an smior.
The flesh will grovj wliile the marroio lives^
See ' Gleidhidh cnimh '.
Fead air fuar-luirg. iVliistling on cold track.
A wild-goose chase no scent.
Feadag, Feadag, mthair Faoillich fhuair.
Plover, Plover, mother of cold Month of Storms.
This was the name of certain days in February. See App. IV.
Feadaireachd bhan 'us gairm cliearc. da ni toirmisgt'.
182
Fear a' chinn duibli 's na fiasaige ruaidhe, na teirig
eadar e 's a' chreag.
Black head, red heard doiiH go hetween him and the
rock.
Fear a clmirear a dh-aindeoin do 'n allt, bristidli e na
soithichean.
He that goes umoillingly for water ivill break the pitcher.
Fear a' ghearain-ghn, cha 'n fhaigh e trua.s 'n a chs.
He that always comiJlains is never pitied. Ung.
Fear 'am baile 's aire as, 's fhearr as na ann e.
A man in a farm and his thoughts away is better out
of it than in it.
Fear 'an ite fir 's e 'dh' fhgas am fearann daor.
Tenant after tenant makes the land dear.
Fear an ime mhoir, 's e 's binne glir.
The man of great ivealth has the sweetest voice.
Lit. ' Of great butter.'
Fear an t-saoghail fhada, cha blii baoghal h-uige.
The man of long life will escape danger.
He can't die before liis time. See ' Clia tig am bs'.
Fear cleite gun bhogsa, 'us bleidire gun amharus.
A quill-driver ivithout a box, and a beggar without
suspicion.
Extraordinary tMngs.
Fear dubh dna ; fear ban bleideil ;
Fear donn dualach ; 's fear ruadh sgeigeil.
Black man bold ; fair man officious ;
Broivn man curly ; red man scornful.
Fear dubli dana ; fear fionn glideamhnil, (timid) ;
Fear donn dualach ; fear ruadli sgigeamliuil. Ir.
Fair and foolish ; black and proud ;
Long and lazy ; little and loud. Eng., Scot.
Fear faire na h-aon sla. TJie one-eyed watcher.
This is a legendary chai-acter Ai-gus, but one-eyed.
Fear gealtach 's an aoir.
A timid man at the main-slteet.
The wrong man for the place.
183
Fear gu aois, 'us bean gu bs.
A man to full age, a woman till death.
A sou must be maintained till of age, a daughter, if unmarried,
for life.
My son is my son, till he's got him a wife,
My daughter's my daughter all the days of her life. Eng., Sco*Fear na b fhin 's a' pholl 'an toiseach.
Let the cow's owner go first into the mire.
He that ows the coo gaes nearest her tail. Hcot.
Fear ua foill' 'an iochdar !
Let the knave he kept under !
Fear nach cuir cl ri 'charaid no ri 'nmliaid.
A man that won't turn his hack on friend or foe.
Fear nach reic 's nach ceannaich a' choir.
A man who will neither sell nor huy the right.
Fear nach trig a chaileag, no 'chompanach.
184
Feitheamh an t-sionnaich ri sithionn an tairbh.
The fox's waiting for the bull's flesh.
Feitheamh facia ri erna na gainmhich.
Zoiig waiting for the sandy harley.
Barley sown in sand comes to nothing.
ruch an laogh blr buidlie dhomh, 's na feuch a chuid
domh.
Shoiv me the white-faced yellow calf, and not what he is
fed on.
Taisbean an laogh biadhta, acht na taisbean an nidh a bhiadhtaigh e. Ir.
Dangos y Ho, ac na ddangos y llaeth Show the calf, and not
185
riimaidh gach be a bheatliachadh.
Every living thing must have a living.
Feumaidh na fitliich fhin a bhi be.
The ravens themselves must live.
186
Miuch do shil mu 'n gabh i air.
Wet your eye lest it light on him.
187
Fuaim mor air bheagan lein.
Great noise and little hurt.
This might apply to platoons of musketry, before arms of precision were known.
Fuatli giullain, a chiad leannan.
A hoy's hate, Ids first love.
Fuighleach an tiUeir shthaicli, ln spine 'chabhruich.
The leavings of the full tailor, a, spoonful of sowens.
Al. Fuighleach tiUeii', d bhuntta A tailor's leavings, two
potatoes.
Fuil bhiL, 'us craieionn sln.
White blood, and ivhole skin.
Said to children who fancy they have been hui't.
Fuilingidh gacli beathach a blii gu math acli mac an
duine.
Every creature hut the son of man can hear well-being.
Fuine bean a' mhuilleir, lidir, tiugh.
The miller's luife's kneading, strong and thick.
Fuirich thus' 'an sin gus an tig feum ort, mar a thuirt
am fear a thiodhlaic a bhean.
Stay you there till you are wanted, as the man said
who buried his loife.
Furain an t-aoidh a thig, greas an t-aoidh 'tha 'falbh.
Welcome the coming, speed the parting gvest.
Foster the guest that stays, further him that maun gang. Scot.
189
Gach cailleach gii 'cil fliein.
Every old woman to her own corner.
Gach dan gu Dan an Deirg ;
190
body of ]\IacGregors, MacNabs, and Stewarts, commanded by
Major Patrick MacGregor of Glengyle, marching boldly through
hostile territory to join Montrose at the battle of Inverlochy. See
Gciel, Vol. I., p. 288, where the words are given, with a translation
by the Rev. Mr. Stewart of Nether Lochaber.
Gad riabhach Samliraidh, gad geal Geamhraidh.
Summer withe brindled, Winter vjithe white.
The bark would be left on the twigs cut in Summer.
Gdag 's a da cheann sgaoilte.
A straw-rope ivith both ends loose.
Applied to a slovenly woman.
Gire mu aobliar a' ghuil.
Lavghing at the cause of iveeping.
Al. Gal 'us gire, craos gun nire IVeeping, laughing, shameless mouth.
Gire Mhrtainn ris an lite.
Martin's smile at his jjorridge.
Gaire na caillich 's a' cliil dlionaich.
The old ivoman's smile in the snug corner.
Gairm Mhic-Mhannain air na gobhair ' Ma tliig,
thig, 's miir tig fan.'
The Manxman's call to the goats, ' If you are coming,
come, if not, stay '.
Galar a 's truime na 'n luaidhe, galar a 's buaine na 'n
darach.
Disease more heamj than lead, more lasting than oak.
This is a ' dubh-fhacal,' or dark saying.
Galar fada 's ug 'n a bhun.
A long disease and death at its root.
Tinneas fada, a's ug ann a bhun. Ir. Bod yn hir yn glaf, a
marw eisys To he long sick, and die besides. Welsh.
Gall glas. A salloio Lowlandcr.
This epithet was formerly applied to the Gael, as is seen in
Mr. M'Lean of Kilninian's verses to Lhuyd of the Arciuzologia
(1707), where 'Sliochd an Ghaoidhil ghlais,' is contrasted with
the ' Dubhghall,' or black Lowlander. The term ' glas ' is never
applied to the ' Sassenach' or Englishman.
Gaol an fhitliich air a' chuinih.
191
Gaol nam fear-diolain,
J\Iar sliruth-lionaidli na mara ;
Gaol nam fear-fuadain,
Mar ghaoith tuath 'tliig o'n charraig ;
Gaol nam fear-psda,
Mar luing a' seladh gu cala.
Paramours love, like the sea's flowing tide',
Wayfarers' love, like north tuincl from rock ;
Married men's love, like ship sailing to harbour.
Gaoth Deas, teas 'us torradh ;
Gaoth Niar, iaisg 'us bainne ;
Gaoth Tuath, fuachd 'us gaillionn ;
Gaoth Near, meas air chrannaibh.
South ivind, heat and plenty ;
West loind, fish and milk ;
North wind, cold and tempest ;
East wind, fruit oii branches.
Al. Gaofh a Deas, teas 'us torradh; gaoth a Tuath, fuachrl 'us
feannadh (skinning) ; gaoth a Niar, iasg 'us bainne ; gaoth a Near,
mil (honey) air craunaibh, or, tart us craunadh (drought and
parching).
This weather-prophecy is said to have specially referred to the
direction of the wind on the last night of the year.
Gaoth o'n rionnaig Earraich ;
Teas o'n rionnaig Shamhraidh ;
Uisg' o'n rionnaig Fhoghair ;
Eeothadh o'n rionnaig Gheamhraidh.
Wind from the Spring Star ;
Heat from the Summer Star ;
Water from the Aiitumn Star;
Frost from the Winter Star.
Gaoth gun dlreadh ort !
Wind without direction to you !
Al. Gun dlreadh ort ! Want of guidance to you!
Gaoth niar 'an deigh uisge reamhair.
192
Gaoth roimh 'n aiteamh, 's gaoth troimh tholl, 'us gaoth
nan long a' dol fo sliel ; na tri gaothan a b' f huaire
'dh' fliairich Fionn riamh.
Wind before thaw, wind through hole, wind of ship
when hoisting sail; the three coldest Fingal ever felt.
Al. Gaoth ath-tliionndaidh An eddy ^vind. Gaoth troimh
shabhal Wind through ham. Gaoth nan tonn a' tigh'n fo'n t-seol
Wind of VMves coming under sail.
Ny three geayghyn a' feayrey dennee Fion M'Cooil ; geay
hennew, as geay huill, as geay fo ny shiauill. Manx.
Gaoth fo shel agus srn coin, da rud cho fuar 's a
th' ann.
Wind under a sail, and a dogs nose, are two of the
coldest things.
Garbh-innse nan irsgeulan.
The big telling of stories.
Ge b'e air bith 'tha thu 'g ithe no 'g l, 's leir a bblth
air d' aghaidh gu bheil aghaidh do chrobhan ri d' chraos.
Whatever your meat and drink be, it's very clear on your
face that your hands and your mouth are good friends.
This was said by a master to a servant, who protested that she
ate nothing but bread and milk.
Ge b'e 'bhios gu math rium, bidh mi gu trie aige.
Whoever is good to me, I'll be often with him.
Ge b'e 'bhios 'n a fhear-muinntir aig an t- sionnach,
feumaidh e 'earball a ghilan.
Whoever is servant to the fox must bear up his tail.
This may possibly have been suggested by the ciuious spectacle
of a dignitary going in procession with his train upheld by pages.
r,p b'p 'h''^itbpfic! qnor, cha dean gaoth torrach.
Whoever be innocent, wind won't make pregnant.
Ge b'e 'chaillear no nach caillear, caillear an deadh
shnamhaiche.
193
sorcery, called the Taghairm, was performed by two men in Mull.
It was said to be one of the most effectual means of raising the
Devil, and getting imla\vful wishes gratified. The performance
consisted in roasting cats alive, one after another, for four days,
without tasting food ; which if duly persisted in, summoned a
a legion of devils, in the guise of black cats, with their master at
their head, all screeching in a way terrifying to any person of
ordinary nerves. On the occasion in question, the chief performer was Allan M'Lean, a man of boundless daring, who
adopted this means of securing additional power and wealth.
His companion, Lachlan M'Lean, was equally greedy, and not less
brave, but as the house began to get filled with yelling demons,
he cried out to Allan, who made the above answer to him. The
performance, as the story goes, was successfully accomplished, and
the result Avas that both men got a great accession of all worldly
goods. See L. M'Lean's History of the Celtic Language, p. 264.
Ge b' e do 'n d' thug thu 'mhin, thoir dlia a' chth.
Give the bran to him to ivhom you gave the meal.
Ge b' e fear a's luaitlie lmh,
'S leis an gadhar ban 's am fiadh.
He that is of quickest hand will get the white hound
and the deer.
Al. Am fear a 's treasa lmh gheabh e, &c.
An t is luaithe lamh, biodh aige an gadhar ban's a fiadh. Ir.
This occurs in ' Laoidh an Amadain Mhir'. See Campbell's
W. H. T., Vol. III. 163.
Ge b'e 'gheabliadh a roghainn, 's mairg a tliagliadli
an di.
Pity him vjho has his choice, and chooses the worse.
Ge b'e 'ghleidheas a long gheabh e latha.
Re that keeps his ship will get a dag.
194
Ge b'e nach dean a ghuothach cho luatli ri 'slieise, ni
e uair a 's aimh-dheis' e.
He that doesn't do his ivork as quiddy as his mate must
do it at a less convenient time.
Ge b'e nach fuiling docair, cha 'n fhaigii e socair.
He gets no case who suffers not.
This is suljstantially the Platonic doctrine of Pleasure and Pain.
Ge b'e nach stiir coire-'bhrochain, cha stiir CoireBhreacain.
He that cant steer the jjorridge-pot won't steer Corryvrecl'an.
The moral seems to be the same as ' reason in roasting eggs,'
with a play on the words. In a well-known, comic song, describing
a sea- voyage of two land-lubbers, this verse occurs
' Cia mar a stiuireadh tu jpoit '
Ai'sa Calum figheadair ;
' Ladar a sparradh 'n a corp,'
Ars' Alasdair tilleir.'
Ge b'e 's miosa, ma 's e 's treasa, bidh e 'u uachdar.
The ivorst, if strongest, will be ujjpermost.
Al. Theid neart thar ceart.
Ge b'e 'thig 'an ts 's e 'gheabh rogha coisiich.
Whoso comes first gets the best of the baruivxt.
195
Ge cruaidli sgaraclidainii, clia robh clithis gim
dealachadh.
Thougli seiMratioih he hard, two never met hat had to
part.
Ge dil do dli-fhear an nilc, cha dearmad.
Though there he delay, the evil-doer is not forgotten..
Al. Ge fada re fear an uilc, cha teid e gun diogliailt bho Dhia
Tiwugh the tirtie of the wicked he long, he wonH go un])unished of
God.
Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished. Prov. xi. 21.
'0\|/' 6e)v Xiovcn fj.vXoi, dXeovai. 8 XcTrra The mills of the gods
grind late, but grind fine. Gr.
Ge dlth do dliuin' a clita, is dlithe dlia a leine.
Though near he a man's coat, nearer is his sh-irf.
Ma 's fogus damh mo chta, is foisge na sin mo leine.' Ir.
Near's my sark, but nearer's my skin. Scot.
19
Ge fagus clach do 'n lr, is faisge na sin cobhair
'Choibhi.
Though near the stone he to the ground, doser is the hel])
of Coivi.
This saying is a very old one. See ' Clio teoma ri Coiblii'.
Ge fagus dhuiiin, 's faisge irnn.
Though to us he near, iipm us is nearer.
Ge fuar an trigh, is blth an coire.
Though cold he the shore, the corrie is warm.
Ge glas am fiar fsaidh e.
Though gray the grass it will groiv.
Ge h-olc am bothan boclid, 's e tha olc a bhi gun olc
gun mhath.
Bad (IS is the poor hothie, worst is without had or good.
An Ulster rhyme on this subject given by Mr. MacAdam in
Ulst. Journ. of Arch, is very characteristic :
Curadh mo chroidhe ort, a bhothain 1
197
Ge matli an gille cam, cha fliritlieil e- thall 's a bhos.
Good though the one-eyed servant he, he cannot attend
here and there.
Al. 'Ge beadaidli,' ' Ge asgaidh' 'cha fhreagair e.' ' Ge
math an c cam.'
Ge milis a'
Sweet as is
Ma 's mills
Dear bought
198
Gealladh math 'us droch pliigheadh.
Good 2iTomise and had payment.
Geallaidb am fear feumach an ni breugacli iiach faigli ;
199
200
Ged is f had a macli Barraidh, ruigear e.
Though Barra he far out, it can he reached.
Said by Mac Iain Ghearr, one of the Mac lans of ArcTnamurchan, to M'Neill of Barra, who had been very hard on him at a
Court of Justice.
Ged is feairrd a' chailleach a garadh, clia 'n f heairrd
i a losgadh.
The old woman is the hettcr of heing warmed, hut not
of heing hurned.
Is ferrde do 'n chailleach a goradh, acht is misde i a losgadh.
Ir.
This has been supposed to refer to the atrocious practice of
burning women for witchcraft, which was the statutory punishment in this country from 1563 to 1736.
Ged is iosal an coileach, cromaidh e 'cheann.
Though the cock he humhle, he hends his head.
Ged 'leagas tu mise, cha 'n 'eil duin' 'an Nis nacli leag
tliu fhtn.
Tliough you knock me doivn, there's not a man in Ness
hut can knock you doum.
Said by one of two pigmies, belonging to the parish of Ness in
Lewis, to the other.
Ged nach beirteadh bo 'an Eirinn.
Should never a cow he calved in Ireland.
Ged nach bi mi bruidhneach, bidli mi coimlieach,
cuimhneach.
Though 1 wont he talking, I'll he shy and mindful.
See 'Bi 'd' thosd'.
Ged nach biodh ach da leth-pheighinn 's an sporan,
taobhaidh iad ri 'cheile.
Were there hut two half -pence in the purse, they'll come
together.
Al. da thurn-odhar two mites. 'Turn-odhar' is uncommon,
but is found in MacAlpine's Dictionary.
Pfennig ist Pfennigs Bruder. Germ.
Ged nach biodh agad ach an t-ubh, 's e 'm plaosg a
gheabhainn-sa.
201
Ged nach biodh ann ach an rigli 's 'fhear-muinntir,
dh' f haodadh duiii' a chuid ionndrain.
Wei-e nobody by but a king and his man, one might
miss his oivn.
Ged nacli duin' an t-aodach, cha duin' a bliios as 'aogais.
TJie clothes are not the man, but he's no man unthout
them.
i\Ian tager meere Hatten af for Klederne end for Personen
More hats are taken off for clothes than for persons. Daii.
De kleederen maken den man. Dutch.
For the apparel oft proclaims the man. Hamlet 1. iii.
Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow,
The rest is nought but leather and prunella. Pope.
A man's a man for a' that. i3(irns.
Society is founded ixpon Cloth. Sartor Resartus.
Lives the man that can figure a naked Duke of Windlestraw,
addressing a naked House of Lords Id.
Ged nach 'eil e sios 's a suas, tha e null 's a nail.
Though it be not u'p and down, it is back and foricard.
Ged nach 'eil geir ann, tha fuil ann.
Though there be no fat, there is blood in him.
Ged a rachadh Cromba leis a' mhuir,
Tliough Cromarty should go ivith the tide.
Ged'robh e gun mhine, cha bin e gun teine.
Tliough ivithout peats, he won't want fire.
Ged 'tha mi bochd, cha 'n 'eil mi bleideil.
Though poor, I'm not a parasite.
Ged 'tha mi 'n diugh 'am ch-baile, bha mi roimli' 'am
ch-mintich.
Though to-day a farm-dog, I uns once a moor-dog.
Ged 'tha mise g, tha seana chluasan agam.
202
Ged 'thug tliu beum dha, clia d' thug thu mir dlia.
You gave him a taunt, hut never a niorsci.
Gelach ort ! The death-handage on thee !
Gemn dheth fhein a sgoilteas an darach.
A vjedge of itself splits the oak.
Geum b air a h-olas. A cold's low on hnoivn ground.
Geurad an leanna-chaoil. Tlie sourness of small beer.
Ghabhadh Mac-a-Phi 'n a rabhadh e.
Mac Phie ivoidd take it for tvarning.
A Mull saying. Mac Phie, chief of Colonsay, went to a feast
at Duart Castle," Mull, where his hospitable friend ilacLean intended to kill him. The door-keeper, being of friendly mind,
asked him if he had come down Glen Connal ? He said he had.
' 'S am faca tu m' eich-sa, 's d' eich fliein ? Did you see my horses
and your own there ' ? Mac Phie took the hint, and escaped with
all speed.
Ghabhamaid na cruachan mora, 's dh' f hoghnadh na
cruachan beaga.
We ivould take the big stacks, and the little ones %vould do.
Contented wi' little, and canty wi' mair. Burns.
Gheabh aire eirbheirt. Need will find means of moving.
Need makes the naked man run. Eng., Scot.
Need gars the auld wife trot. Scot.
203
Glieabli burraidli barraclid coire na 's urrainn duine
glic a leasacliadli.
A hlocJchead can find more fault tlian a ivise man can
mend.
Un matto sa pi domaiidare, clie sette pavi respondere. Ital.
Ein Narr kann luelir fragen, als sieben Weise antworteii.
Germ.
A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can
answer in seven years. Eng. *
Gheabli cearc an sgriobain rud-eigin, 's cha 'n f liaigh
cearc a' chrbain dad idir.
Tlie scrajnng hen will get something, hut the crouching
hen will get nothing.
Gheabli cobhartach spionuadli-iasaid.
Helper tvill get loan of strength.
A very fine sentiment.
Gheabli Gidheal fhin a leth-bhreac.
Even a Gael ivill find his fellow.
The Gael, with all his self-esteem, has sense enough to know
that there are as good in the world as he
204
Glieabhar bean-chagair, ach 's ainneamh bean-gliaoL
A dear-wife may he got, hut a love-wife is rare.
This is a nice distinction. 'Mo ghaol' is a warmer expression
than 'mochagar'.
Gheabhar deireadh gach sgeil a nasgaidh.
The end of a tale is got for nothing.
Gheabhar laogh breac ballach 'an tigh gach raich, L
Fheill-Pdraig Earraich.
A spotted calf toill he found in every cowherd's house on
St. Patrick's day in Spring.
Gheabht' iomramh 's an ramh gun a bhristeadh.
Rowing coidd he got from the oar without hreaking it,
Ghlacadh e 'n a lion f hein.
He was caught in his own net.
Ghoid am mirleach air braidein e.
The thief stole it from the pilferer.
205
Glas-labhraidli air nigliinn, gun fliios, teang' an abhra
'dli 'iomraicheas.
When a viaid is tongue-tied, her ei/elids tell a tale.
A thief sae pawkie is my Jean,
To steal a blink, by a' nnseen ;
But gleg as light are lover's een.
When kind love is in the ee. Burns.
Gleac nam fear fanna. The ivrestling of faint men.
Gleidh do mhaor 's do mhimstear, 's cha'n eagal dut.
Keep your hailijf and your minister, and there s no fear
of you.
Gleidheadh a' chlamhain air na cearcan.
The hites guarding of the hens.
See 'B'e sin faire'.
Gleidheadh an t-sionnaich air na caoraich.
Tlie fox's keeping of the sheep.
Gleidhear cuirm an deigh Cisge.
A feast will he kept after Easter.
Gleidhidh aire innleachd, ged nacli gleidh i oiglireaclid.
Need vjill make a shift, though it keep not an inheritance.
Gleidhidh cnimh feil, f had 's is be smior.
Bone IV ill keep flesh, ivhile marrow lives.
Al. Gheabh feoil cnimh, 's gheabh cnimh feil Flesh will
get bone, and bone flesh.
Gleidhidh sil seilbh. Eye keejjs property.
The eye of the master does more than both his hands. Ejigi.
Gleus r air seana mliaide. A new lock to an old stock.
Glir fhuar bharr iiachdar goile.
Cold tcdk from stomach surface.
Glir mhor 'an colainn bhig. Great tcdk in small hcdy.
Al. Glaodh mor a colainn bhig.
Glir nan cirdean a 's milse na 'nihil.
The praise of friends is sweeter than honey.
Glir mliilis a mbeallas an t-amadan.
Bv:eet loords 'beguile fools.
Fair words make fools fain. Eag.
Fair hechts (p-omisesj will mak' fulis fairu The Clierrie and
the Slae.
Fagre Ord fryde en Daare. Dan.
206
Gn firionn falbh. The males nature is to move.
The man to go abroad, the woman to stay at home.
Guothach duine gun cheill, 'dol gu feill gun airgiod.
A fool's errand, going to market without monq/.
207
Gu'ni bioclli e 'n ceann-uidhe dha fhathast.
That he would yet he the end of him.
This was one of the sayings attributed to James Stewart of
Acharn, ' Seumas a' Ghlinne,' on the strength of which, chiefly,
he was most iniquitonsly executed in 1752 for the murder of
Colin Campbell of Glenure. Stewart's brother had forfeited his
lands of Ardsheil for taking part in the Rebellion of 1745, and
Campbell, judicial factor on the estate, was proceeding to eject a
number of tenants, when he was shot dead. Stewart was not
accused of having committed the deed, but of having instigated
Allan Ureac, a kinsman of his. The presiding judge was the Duke
of Argyll, Lord Justice-General, and eleven of the jury were
Campbells.
Gn'm bu droch drighleach dlmt ! Bad dregs to you !
Gu ma fada bhios tu be, agus ceo bharr do tliighe !
Long may you live, and smoke rise from your roof !
Al. Gu ma fada be thu, 'us ceo as do thigh.
This is a very favourite and kindly saying.
Gu 'm aim a glionar am fiosaiclie, mu'n tig an fhiosachd
f lor !
Perish the -prophet, ere the prophecy come true !
Gu 'm beir an riabhach mor ort !
The great grizzled one catch thee !
One of the epithets applied to the Devil.
Gu ma h-anmoch dhut ! May it he late to thee !
Gu ma h-olc dhut ! Ill hefall thee !
Gu'm meal thu do naidheachd !
May you enjoy your neivs !
Said to a person who is to be congi-atulated.
Gual fuar 'g a sheideadh. Blowing cold coals.
' Gg, gg,' ars a' chubhag, latha buidhe Bealltainn,
' Coo, coo,' says the cuckoo, on yellow May-day.
The cuckoo is seldom heard so early now.
Gun aon tmh air bial na bradhan, 's gun aon ghrinn'
air chionn an latha.
208
Gun mheas gun mhiadh, mar Mlinus.
Without esteem or honour, like Magnus.
This refers to a Scandinavian king, whom Fingal overcame and
slew. See Dr. Smith's Sean Dana, p. 113, and Campbell's
Leabhar na Feinne, pp. 71, &c.
Gunnaiche mor gun srad f hdair.
A great gunner witliout a grain of poioder.
Gus am bi Mac-Cailein na Vigh, bidli I mar 'bli.
Till Argyll he a King, lona ivill he as she toas.
This saying was familiar in Kingairloch more than 60 years
ago to the person from whom it was got. The repair of the ruins
of lona by the Duke of Argyll, soon after the marriage of the
Marquis of Lome to the Princess Louise, was noted by some okl
people in connection with this saying.
An older saying, attributed to St. Columba, is
An I mo chridhe, I mo ghridli,
An ite guth mhanach bidh geum b;
Ach mu 'n tig an saoghal gu crich,
Bithidh I mar a bha.
In dearest lona, the isle of my love,
In place of monks' voices shall cows' lowing he ;
But ere ever the world shall come to an end,
As once loas lona, lona shall be.
Gus am faigh tlm deocli a's fhearr na 'm f ion, cha 'n
f haigh thu biadh a's fhearr na 'n fheil.
Till you find hetter drink than tcine, you'll find no
hetter food than flesh.
The Binny fish said, ' If you can find a better fish, don't eat
me'. Arah.
Gus an gabh a' mhuir teine, cha 'n fhaigh duine clann
duine eile.
Till the sea takes fire, you cant he the sire of another
mans children.
Gus an trighir a' mhuir le cliabh, cha bhi fear fial
falamh.
210
lasg no sithionn, tli no muileann.
Fish or venison, kiln or mill.
lasgach amadain, corr bheothach mor.
A fool's fishing, an occasional big fish.
The meamng is, that only fools despise littles.
lasgach na curra. The cranes fishing.
A model of patience.
Im ri im clia bbiadh 's clia 'n annlann e.
Butter to hutter is neither food nor kitchen,
Imricli Shathurna mu thuath,
Imricli Luain mu dheas ;
Ged nacli biodh agam ach an t-uan,
'S ann Diluain a dh'fhalbbainn leis.
Saturday s fiitting hy north, Monday s fiitting hy south;
had I hut a lamb to move, 'tis on Monday I tvould go.
In other words, Saturday is an unlucky day for removing,
Monday a lucky day. See ' Deiseal'.
Imridh briag gobhal. A lie needs a prop.
See ' Cha sheas a bhriag'.
Imridh fear nam briag cuimhne mhath a bhi aige.
Liars shoidd have good memories. Eng., Scot.
Be of good memory, if you become a liar. Arab.
211
have the reputation of being nncommonly shy, unwilling to partake even of the simplest hospitality from strangers,
lonnlaididh burn salach lamliaru
Foul water will wash hands.
lonnsaich do d' sheanmhair broclian a dlieanamli.
Teach your granny to make gruel.
Al. ' lit' 1 ' to sup porridge.
Sel do shean-mhathair lachanaidh a bhleaghan (to milk
ducks). Ir.
Teach your grandam to suck eggs to spin to grope her duck
to sup sour milk. Eng.
212
Is amaideach a blii 'cur a mach airgid a cheanuacli
aithreachais.
'Tis folly to spend money in huying repentance.
Is alifhann a thig, 's lidir a theid.
213
all thouglit it a handsome, well-fitting shoe. * But none of yon
knows,' he said, 'where it pinches me.' This is now called
' incompatibility '.
Is ann aige-san a's mo 'their a's luglia 'tlia ri 'rdh.
He that says most has least to tell.
Words are like leaves, and where they most abound,
Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found.
Is ann air a' bheagan a dh'aitlmichear am morau.
From the little the much is knoion.
Is ann air a dh' eirich a' ghrian !
It is on him that the sun hath risen !
Is ann air a*^ mhiiic reamhair a theid an t-im.
It's on the fat pig the hutter goes.
This applies metaphorically to some living animals.
See ' Am fear aig am bi im '.
Sin ton na muice meithe do ghrisiughadh. Ir.
Al puerco gordo untarle el rabo. Span.
Is ann air an trghadh a rugadh e.
He was horn ivhen the tide was ehhing.
Unlucky man, or born out of date.
Is ann air a shon fhein a ni 'n cat an crnan.
It's for itself the eat croons.
Is mur gheall air fein a ghnidheas a cat cronan. Ir.
E wjT y gath pa farf a lyf Cat knows what beard he licks. TVel^.
The cat is a thoroughly selfish animal, and there are liuman
beings, aimed at in this proverb, of the same nice, soft, selfish sort.
Is ann air gniiis a bheirear breith.
It is ly the face toe judge.
Vultus est index animi. Lai.
In the forehead and the eye,
The lecture of the mind doth lie. Eng.
Is ann air deireadli an latlia 's fhearr na DnuUaich.
214
Is ann an sin a tliatlias 'g a cliaitlieamh, eadar an
t-sratliair 's am plta.
So is it worn, 'twixt the pack-saddle and the straiv-eloth.
Said of people assuming airs beyond their position.
Is ann an uair a's gainn' am biadh a's coir a roinn.
'Tis when food is scarcest it should he divided.
Is ann as a' bheagan a thig am moran.
From the little comes the much.
Many littles mak a miickle. Scot.
The proverbe saith that many a smale makith a grete. Chaucer.
Is ann bidheach 's cba 'n ann diclieil.
Bonnie rather than graceful.
Is ann da fhein a dli' innsear e.
Ifs to himself it will he told.
It's his own affair.
Is ann da latha roimh 'blis, 'bu cliir do dliuine
shr-fhacal a radii.
Till two days hefore he die, man shoidd not spcah his
vjcightiest word.
There is much wisdom in this saying.
Is ann de'n aon chlth an cathdath.
The tartan is all of one stuff.
Cath-dath = battle-colour. Armstrong.
215
Best to bend while it is a twig. Eng.
Piega I'albero quando giovane.Ital.
Den Baum muss man biegen, weil er jung ist. Germ.
Is ann goirid o d' bliial a mholadli tu e.
It is near your mouth you ivould praise him.
Is ann goirid roimh 'bhs a mholadli tu e.
It is near his end you, ivould praise him.
Is ann mu seach a sheidear na builg.
By turns the bellows are blown.
Is ann mu seach a thogar an dun.
It is by degrees the fort is built.
At. 'S ami uidh air uidh a thogar na caisteil.
Eome was not built in a day. Ital., Fr., Germ., Eng.
Is ann mar a bhios neach e fhein a dh' fhidireas e
'choimhearsnach.
216
Is aotrom gach saoghalach sona.
Light is the htcky lo7ig-livcr.
Is rd ceann an fheidh 's a' chreachann.
High is the stag's head on the mouiitain crags.
Is biglieil duine ris an anam.
A man is tender of his life.
All that a man hatli will he give for his life. Job. ii. 4.
Life is sweet. Eng.
In one of the West Highland Tales (Campbell, II. 355), Brian,
son of the King of Greece, is asked by a Giant, whether he would
rather lose his head, or go to steal the White Sword of Light in
the realm of Big Women. ' 'S bigheil duine ri 'bheatha kind is
a man to his life,' said Brian, and chose the latter alternative.
Is balbli gach sian ach a' ghaoth.
Dumb is all weather but the wind.
See ' An uair a laidheas '.
Is beadarrach an ni an onoir.
Honour is a tender thing.
This is very Celtic. ' Take my honour, take my life.'
Is beag a dheanadh grot do 'n fhear a dh' ladh crn.
Little wotdd a groat do for him who drinks a croivn.
This probably refers to a soldier's pay, which was 4d. a day at
no very ancient date.
Is beag a ghearaineas sinn, ge mor a dh' fhiiilingeas
smn.
Little we complain, though we siiffer much.
This saying is given by Macintosh without any note. Wlienever it may have originated, it expressed with native gentleness a
very sad truth in reference to a considerable part of our Highland
population. It was true a century ago, and it is true still.
Is beag a th' eadar do ghal 's do ghire.
Your crying and laughing are not far removed.
Is beag an dirc nach fhearr na 'n t-uradh.
Small is the alms that is not letter than a refusal.
Is beag a rud nach fhearr na ditiltadh. Ir.
Is beag am fathunn nach cktinn ditliis.
It's a faint rumour that two won't hear.
Is beag an leisgeul a bheir a' chailleach do 'n chill.
It's a little excuse that brings the old ivoman to the
churchyard.
Excuse = cause, and churchyard = death.
Al. Is faoin an gnothach. It's a slight thing.
217
Ts beag an rud a bheir duine do 'n cliill, 'n uair a bliios
a leannan innte.
Ifs a small thing that hrings a man to the, churchyard,
ivlien his s^veetheart is there.
Is beag an t-iogbnadh amadan a bhi leannanacbd ri
insicb.
It's no vjonder to see a fool courting an idiot.
Is beag cuid an latba fhlich dheth.
TJie rainy days share of it is smcdl.
Meaning that little has been saved.
Is beag an ni nach deireadh a's t-Fbogbar.
It's a little thing that doesn't hinder in Autumn.
Is beag fios aig fear an timb air nradb fear na mara.
Hie household manhiows little of the seaman's hardship.
Is beag 's is mor a th' eadar a' choir 's an eucoir.
There is little a.nd much betwixt right and wrong.
Is beag a ta eadar an choir a's an eugcix. Ir.
'S mooar ta eddjT y chair as yn aggair. Manx.
Ge mor an dibhras beusan
Eadar encoir agus coir,
Cha 'n el domh ite seasaimh,
Gun a chos air aon diubh dh. Rob Donn.
Is beag orm an rud nach binn learn.
/ like iwt what I find not sicect.
Is beag orm troidh air ais an t-seann-duine.
I like not tlu old man's lackv-ard stc'p.
Al. Is coma learn fliein an rud a bhiodh ann, ceum air ais an
t-seann duine.
Said by young Eonald MacDonell of Strontian, at the battle
of Kin-Loch-Lochy, ' Blr nan Leine' (1544), on seeing his father
give way after receiving a wound in the head from 'Raonull
Gallda'. The remark was suggested by that of his father, on
seeing his son for the first time for several years, after having
been deserted by him in the hour of need, "S coma leam fhein an
rud a bhiodh ann, armachd a' ghill' ig, 's e 'teicheadh I don't
care for the arming of the youth who runs av:uy\ Young Ronald
is said to have added to the above remark, ' Seo mar bu choir a
bhi, am mac a dhol 'an ionad an athar This is as it ought to hn
the son in the place of the father' ; and rushed upon the enemy,
whom he overcame. There is something wildly noble, though
unpleasant in this. See Cuairtear, Dec. 1841, pp. 282-3.
218
219
Is binn gach glir bho 'n duine bheairteach,
Is mil bho 'bliial a' ghobaireachcl ;
Is searbh a' choir bho 'n aimbeairteacli,
Is cian a ghlir bho ghliocas.
8vMct is the talk of the vjeaWiy man,
Like honey is his prattling ;
Harsh is the right from the poor man's mouth,
Far is his talk from wisdom.
Mills glor gach fir
Am-bidh cuid agus spreidh ;
Searbh glor an te bhitheas lomm,
Bun-os-cionn do lablirann se. Ir.
Is bior gach srbh 's an oidhche.
Every straw is a thorn at night.
This must have been said by a Celtic Sybarite.
Is blth an fhuil, ged is ann an craicionn nan con i.
Blood is warm, though it he hut in a dog's skin.
Al. 'an srn muice In a pig's nose.
Al. Is blath fuil nan cat 'nan craicionn fheiu Cai's hlood is
warm in their own skin.
Is bltli anail na mthar.
Warm is the mothers hrcath.
The mither's breath is aye sweet. Scot,
A beautiful saying.
Is blath lodan na broiga.
Warin is the pool in the shoe.
Said to youngsters complaining of leaky shoes.
Is bochd am fear nach fhaigh a leir a's t-Fliogliar.
He's a jMor man who vjon't get his Jill in Autiimn.
Is bochd am psadh nach fhearr na 'n dubh-chosnadh.
It's a poor marriage that is not hetter than hard service.
220
Is bidheach an luchag 's a' mhir arbhair.
Pretty is the mouse in the corn-plot.
This sentiment is worthy of Kobert Burns.
Is bidheach leis an fheannaip; a gorm garrach flii'in.
The croio thinks her own ghastly chicle a leauty.
See 'Ge clubh am fitheach'.
Is bratliair clo'n amadan an t-amhlair.
The rude jester is brother to the fool.
Is brthair do'n chadal ceann ri lr.
Head laid down is brother to sleep.
Is brthair do' n chuthacli an ige.
Youth is the brother of madness.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a chikl. Prov. xxii. 15.
Is brthair do 'n diosg an tuairnear.
The turner is brother to the dish.
Is brthair do'n mhadadh am mirleach.
TJie thief is brother to the hound.
A very respectable sentiment.
Is brthair do Niall Gille-Calum.
Ilalcolm is brother to Neil.
' Par nobile fratrum,' no doubt.
Is buaine aon diltadh na d-thabhartas-dhiag.
Oie refusal is longer rememhered than a dozen offers.
Al. Millidh aon diltadh, &c. One refusal spoils, Sc.
221
Is buaine cl na agliaiclh.
Back lasts longer than front.
A cheese, a stack of hay, peats, &c., would be more freely used
at first than at last. The moral meaning may be, that feuds last
longer than friendship.
Is buaine na gach ni an nire.
Shame is more lasting than anything.
This is very Celtic.
Schande duurt langer dan armoede Shame lasts longer than
poverty. Dutch.
Is buaine seud na 'luacb.
A gem lasts longer than its value.
Is buaireadh gach sine a' gbaoth.
All change of loeather is due to the wind.
Is buan meachdann na folachd.
Long lasts the rod whose root sprang from blood,
Al. Is buan cuimhne, &c. Long is the memory, d;c.
222
Is call do chaillich a poca, 's gun tuille aice.
The loss of the old wife' spoke is heavy, when it is her all.
Is cam 's is direach a tliig an lagh.
The laiv comes crooked arid straight.
See ' Is beag 's is mor'.
Is caol an tend as nach seinn e.
Ifs a slender string he can't take a tune from.
Is caomli le fear a cliaraid', acli 's e smior a chridhe a
chomh-dhalt.
Dear is a kinsman, hut the jnth of the heart is a fostcr-
hrothcr.
This is the strongest of all the sayings on this subject.
Is craid sin, mar a tliuirt an fheannag ri 'casan.
That's a pair, as the cfroio said to her feet.
Al. Is dithis dhuinn sin.
Tliey're a bonnie pair, as the craw said o' his legs. Ecnt.
Is ceannach an t-omhan air a' bhainne-theth.
The froth is scarcely worth the hot inilk.
' Omhan' is the switched-up froth of warmed mUk or whey.
Is ceannach air a mhireanan a bheumanan.
The morsels are scarcely worth the cuts.
Is clitich' an onoir na 'n t-r.
Honour is nobler than gold.
Is aisle onoir na or. Ir.
Beter arm met eere (iMor ivith honour) dan rijk met schande
(rich with shame). Dutch.
Is CO domhain an t-th 's an linne.
The ford is as deep as the pool.
Is CO fad' oidlich' 'us latha, La Fheill Pdruig.
Night and day are eqiial cm St. Patrick's Day.
This is nearly correct.
Is CO lionmlior osna aig an righ 's aig an duin' a 's
isle staid.
The king sighs as often as the meanest man.
This occiirs verbatim in D. Buchanan's ' Bruadar '.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. H. IV., P. II., Hi. 1.
Is CO math dhomh mo chorrag a ghabhail do 'n chloich.
/ might as well try my finger against a stone.
A I. Bu cho math, &c., a thumadh 's a' luath as well dip my
finger in the ashes.
223
Is CO math na 's ler 'us iomadaidh.
224
Is coma leam comunn an oil.
/ care not for the drinking fellowshij').
Is cuma liom cumann bean-leanna (ale-wife). Ir.
This saying illustrates the fact that the Celts, in Scotland or
elsewhere, are not prone to excess either in meat or in drink.
Is coma leam comunn gille na geire ; ge math a thoiseacli, bu ro olc a clheireadh.
/ like not the tallow lad's company ; however good at
first, very had at last.
Al. mur bi an toiseach searbh, gu dearbh bidh an deireadh ann.
This is a Lewis and Long Island saying, of which no explanation has been given.
Is coma leam fear-fuadain 's e luath labhar.
I donH like a wayfarer who talks loud and volubly.
Is coma leis an rigli Eogliau ; 's coma le Eoghan co
dhibh.
The King doesn't care for Eiven ; and Ewen cares not
whether or no.
Who Ewen was, is not said, but he was perhaps the independent miller that lived on the banks of Dee.
Is coma leis an t- saoghal c' ait 'an tuit e.
Wealth cares not where it falls.
There is a rich truth in this observation.
Is corrach culaidh air aon lunn.
A boat is unsteady on one roller.
Is corrach gob an dubhain.
Uncertain is the point of the hook.
See ' Is olc a' bho-laoigh '.
Is corrach ubh air aran.
A71 egg on bread is slippery.
Is crion a'chil as nach goirear.
It's a small corner from vjhich no cry can come.
The propagation of the Penny Press and Telegraph illustrates
this beautifully.
Is cruaidh an cath as nach tig aon fhear.
It's a hard fight from which one man doesn't come.
Is cruaidh a
The child is
Al. Is olc a
is sair dung
Dall fyddar pob trwch Blind and deaf is the blockhead. Do.
Is damh thu, 's gu'm meal thu d' ainm.
You are an ox, and may you enjoy the name.
Is dna c air a dhnan fhin.
A clog is hold on his ovjn dunghill.
Al. aig a dhorus f hein at his own door.
Is teann gach madadh air a charnan fein. Ir.
Every dog is valiant at his own door. Eng.
Chien sur son fumier est hardi. Fr.
Al. Is ladarna coileach air trach fhein A coch is bold, c&c.
15
226
Every cock is proud on his own dungliill. Eng.
Every cock craws crousest on his ain midden. Scot.
Galliis in suo sterquilinio plurimum potest. Seneca.
Cada gallo canta en su muladar. Stxm.
Een haan is stout op zijn eigen erf. Dutch.
Is dna cuilean 'an uchd troir.
Bold is the pu/ppy in the lap of strength.
Al. Is lidir an lag Bold is the iveak, d-c.
This is finely illustrated sometimes in cases of the Cives Romanus ; at other times more amusingly, or offensively, by puppies
dressed in a little brief authority,' or representing a ' great party '.
Is dna duine 'n a cliil fhein.
A man is hold in his oivn corner.
Diau cynnadl taiog o'id^ Boll talks the hoor at home. IFelsh.
Is dna 'theid duine air a cliuid fhein.
A man is hold with what's his own.
Al. Is leomhan gach duine, &c. Every man is a lion, d;c.
A man's aye crouse in his ain cause. Scot.
Men's belief in their right to do what they like with 'their
own' sometimes makes them forget entirely that ' The earth is tlie
Lord's, and the fulness thereof '.
Is deacair a' chaora 'ghoid lmh ri tigh a' mliirlich.
It's diffic'idt to steal the sheep near the thief s house.
Is diblidli ciochran gun mhthair.
Helpless is the motherless suckling.
Is dichioUach duine air a shon fhein,
A man is dUigentfor himself.
Is dileas duine dha fhein.
A man is faithfid to himself.
Is di teine fearn r ;
Is di duine m-rn ;
Is di dibhe fion sean ;
Ach 's e di an domhain drocli bliean.
Worst offuef, alder green ;
Worst of humcm, malice keen ;
Worst of drink, wine without life ;
Worst of all things, a had wife.
The literal meanincj of ' fion sean ' is ' old ^^ine/ but I think
the old Celts knew what was what in wine as well as in other
things.
Is di nach gabh comhaiiie, 's is di 'ghabhas gach
comhairle.
JVlio U'On't take advice is tvorthless ; who takes all
advice is the same.
Al. Is trnagh is 'pitiful.
Is diiiid fear na li-eisimeil. Tiie dependent is timid.
Is dbhaidh an compauach an t-acras.
Hunger is a violent comjxmion.
Is don' an fheil air nach gabh salann ; 's miosa na
sin na daoine nach gabh comhairle.
TJie flesh that ivont take salt is had ; icorse are they
that won't take counsel.
Is don' an fheile 'chuireas duine fhein air an iomairt.
228
Is don' an t-suiridhe letli-cheannach.
The sheepish vjooing is contemptible.
Is draghaile caraid amaideacli na nmhaid glic.
A silly friend is more troublesome than a wise enemy.
Better a wise enemy than a foolish, friend. Arab.
Save me from my friends ! Eng.
Is d do ch donnalaicli. Holding is proper to a dog.
Is dual do 'n bhrd 'athair aithris.
It's natural for the bard to tell of his father.
Is dubh dha fhein sin.
That is black (sad) for himself
Is duilich a cleachdadh 'thoirt blio linili.
The hand hardly gives up its habit.
Al. Is duilich toirt bho 'n limh a chleachd. It's hard to heat
the skilled hand.
Al. Is ionmhuinn leis an limli na chleachd. The hand loves
^vhat it has practised.
Is duilich am fear nach bi 'n a chadal a dluisgadh.
It is hard to waken him vjho is not asleep.
Is duilich an coileach-dubh a ghleidheadh bho 'n
fhraoch.
It is dijfficidt to keep the black-cock from the heather.
Is duilich an nire 'thoirt as an ait' anus nach bi i.
It's difficidt to get shame where it is not.
Is duilich bo a chur air laogh, 'us a gaol air gamhainn.
A coio wont take to a calf, when her darling is a stirk.
Is duilich burn glan a thoirt a tobar salacli.
It's difficult to draw pure water from a dirty well.
Is duilich camadh 'thoirt a daraig, a dh'fhs anns an
fhaillein.
It's hard to take the tiuist out of the oak, that grew in
the sapling.
See ' An car a bhios '.
Is duilich ciall a thoirt do amadan.
It's hard to give sense to a fool.
This is the same as Dr. Johnson's saying, about gA'ing understanding to his hearer.
229
Is duilich cupan Ian a gliilan.
A full Clip is hard to carry.
Is duilich duin' a lorgachadh troimh amhuinn.
It is difficult to track a man through a river.
Our greatest Scottish king, Eobert the Bruce, once proved the
truth of this, when followed by blood-hounds in Galloway, set on
by less respectable creatures. See Barbour's Bruce, B.V., 11. 300-50.
Is duilich rath a chur air duine dona.
You cant put luck on a worthless man.
Ekki ma feigum forSa The fey one cannot be saved. Icel.
Is duilich roghainn a thoirt a di.
'Tis hard to choose the best of worst.
Is duilich triubhas a thoirt de mhs 16m.
It's ill to take the trews off a hare htUtock.
Is deacair brighiste a bhaint de thin lorn. Ir.
230
Is e 'm bualadh cluigeiueacli a ni an croclli trotanach.
The had tlirashing makes the brisk corns.
Careless thrashing leaves ears of corn on the straw, which makes
the cows all the more lively.
Is e 'm fth mil 'm bitheadh tu, ciod e 'glieabliadh tu.
Your quest always is, what you can get.
Is e am Foghar gaothmhor a ni an core ctlimlior.
TJie windy Autumn makes the chaffy oats.
Is e 'n cadal fada 'ni 'n t-iomradh tetli.
Long sleep makes hot roiuing.
231
232
Is e 'n t-uisge salach a ni 'niglie'ghlan.
The dirty water makes the clean ivashing
Is e ath-thilleadh na ceathairn' a 's miosa.
The return of the reavers is u-orst.
Because they would carry off what they spared before.
' Ceatharu' = troop, fighting band, banditti whence ' cateran'
and 'kern'.
' Ceathairne' = peasantry, males fit to bear arms.
Is e bacadh duin' big 'aimhleas.
Thwarting a young man is his mischief.
Is e deireadh gach cogaidh sith.
The end of each tvar is feace.
Is e deireadh nan ceannaichean dol a shniomh shioman.
The end of merchants is ttvisting straiv-ropes.
A Lewis modern saying. The 'merchants' referred to are the
small dealers in country places, who often come to grief through
ignorance of business and bad debts.
Is 6 Diluain iuchair na seachdain.
Monday is the key of the v:eck.
A good, sensible maxim.
Is 6 do chab nach deach' fhalach 's an lr an la a
rugadh tu.
Your ' gah' tvas not hidden under ground the clay you
%cere lorn.
Said to forward talkative young people.
Is e do chiad chli d' alladh.
Your first rcinde is your renovm,
Al. Is e cli duin' a chiad iomradh.
Al. Is e ciad iarraidh duin' a chli.
Is 6 do shil do cheannaiche.
Tliine eye is thy merchant.
233
Is e fortan no mifhortan fir bean.
A man's wife is his fortune or misfortune.
Is e galar a bheireadh air na gobhair nach itheadh iad
an eidlieann.
Disease only loould keep goats from eating ivy.
See 'An rud a chm'.
Is e innleachd seilge a sior leannmhuinn.
The art of hunting is ever pursuing it.
Is e iomadaidh nan lmh a ni an obair aotrom.
Many hands make light loork. Eng., Scot.
Al. lionmhorachd nan lmli.
Is e leanabh fhein a's luaithe 'bhaisteas an sagart.
The priest christens his ain bairn first. Scot.
'Sea leanabh fein a bhaisteas a sagart air ts. Ir.
This saying must be held, by all who respect priests, to have
originated before marriage was forbidden to them.
Is e meathadh gach cise dil.
Delay makes causes divine.
Al. a bhi 'g a sineadh adjourning.
Is e miann a' chait a chniadachadh.
The cat desires to he caressed.
Is e miann na lach an loch air nach bi i.
The duck's desire is the water where she's not.
Is e mo charaide caraid na cruaidhe.
234
Is e sgul an duine bheadaidh na gheabh e 'n tigh a
cboimhearsnaich.
The mannerless man tells what he gets at his neighbour's.
Is e sin an toll a mhill an t-seiclie.
That's the hole that spoiled the hide.
Is e sin cnag an sgeil. Tiat's the peg of the story.
Is e sin maide 'g an stad e.
That's the stick where he'll stop.
Al. mti'm beil e 'g iomairt which he's playing ai = He'll come
to that. The reference is to a game played at sticks or pegs, tixed
at certain distances.
Is e sil a ni sealbh. The eye makes wealth.
Das Auge des Herrn schafFt mehr als seine beiden Hande The
master's eye does more than both his hands. Germ.
Is e 'thn a bha trasda 'n uair a rinn e e.
He sat very aivry when he did it.
Is asgaidh an drocb ghille air cbuairt.
The had servant is brisk abroad.
Al. 'an tigh a' choimhearsnaich in the neighbour's house.
Esgud drygfab yn nhy arall. Welsh.
235
Is udar gabhail le each mall, o 'u nach faighear na 's
fhearr.
Tlie slow horse must le taJ:en if no better can he got.
Is fad an amliainn air nach fhaighear ceann.
It's a long river tvhose head can't le found.
Al. an rathacl the rood.
Is fad an dil o 'n oidhirp.
Long is the delay from the attempt.
Is fad an eubh o Loch-Obha, 'us cobhair o Chlann
O'Duibhue.
Fars the cry from Loch Awe, and help from the race of
ODuine.
The Campbells claim descent from Diarmad O'Diiiblme, Dermid, grandson of Duine, tlie Launcelot of tlie Fingaliau tragedy.
The above saying is supposed to have originated at the time of a
great defeat of the Campbells mider the Earl of Arg^dl, by the Gordons under the Earl of Huntly, at Allt-Chuailleachain in Glenlivet,
in 1594 ; where Campbell of Lochnell proved signally treacherous
to his chief. See Gregory's West. HighL, &c., p. 256.
Is fad' an oidliche gu latha do fhear na droch mhnatha.
It's a long night till morning for the husband of the
lad ivife.
See Mrs. Caudle's Lectures.
Is fad' an oidhche gu latha, arsa casan loisgte.
Long is night till dag, said the burned feet
Is fad an tinichioll nach tachair.
It's a long round that meets not.
Is fada cobhair o mhnaoi 's a muinntir 'an Eirinn.
Far is aid from her whose folk are in Ireland.
Is fada lmh an fheumaich. Long is the arm of the needy.
Al. Is fada lmh an aire, ach ma 's fhada, cha reamhar The
hand of poverty is lone/ and lean.
Is fada slios na bliadhna. The year's length is long.
Lit. The year's ' slope ' or ' side '.
Is faoilidhe duine a chuid a thairgse, ged is fheairrd' e
aige fhein e.
He is tlie more generous vjho offers his oivn, though he
would be the better of keeping it.
The Moral Philosophy of this is excellent, and is just that of
the Saviour about the widow's mite. The virtue of donations
implying no sacrifice is very small indeed.
236
Is farsuing an rathad mor, agus faodar fhalbh.
The highivay is ivide, and viay he trod.
Is farsuing a sgaoileas an dreathann a chasan 'n a
thigh fhein.
The wren spreads his feet unde in his own house.
Al. Is farsuing tigli an dreathainn The wren's house is wide.
237
Is fhaid' an latha na 'm brutliach ; bidh sinn uiread
uair-eigin.
Tlie day is longer than the hrae ; well he at the top
yet.
A very cheery and plucky sentiment.
Is fhaide d' fhiacail na d' fhiasag.
Your teeth are longer tiian your heard.
Tak a piece ; yir teeth's langer than yir beard. Scof.
Is fhaide gu brtli na gu Bealltainn.
Its longer to Doomsday than to Whitsunday.
Ulster proverb in same words.
Is fliaide gu NoUaig na gu Feill-Mrtainn.
It's longer to Christmas than to Martinmas.
Is fhasa cumail na tarruing.
Better to haiul than draw. Scot.
Possession is nine points of the law. Eng.
Is fhasa deadh ainm a chall na 'chosnadh.
A guid name is suner tint than ivon. Scot.
Is fhasa sgapadh na tional.
It's easier to scatter than to gather.
Is fusa sgapadh na cruinneaghadh. Ir.
Is fheairrd' an cai an cat a chur ann.
The hail tvill he the hetter of 'plotting the cat in.
Better a mouse i' the pat as nae flesh. Scot.
Is fheairrd' an luch samhchair, mar a thuirt hich a'
mhonaidh ri luch a' bhaile.
The mouse is the hetter of quietness, as the moor-mouse
said to the town-mouse.
This seems to be taken from the well-known fable of the Town
mouse and Country mouse.
Is fheairrde briagadair fianuis.
A liar is the hetter of a voucher.
Is fearrde a dhearcas brug fiadhnuise. Ir.
238
mills was prohibited by the Scottish Parliament as far back as
1284, but continued privately notwithstanding, and is probably
not entirely obsolete yet. The above saying is supposed to refer
to the orders given by the lairds to have all the querns broken.
Is fheairrcle c c a chrochadh.
A dog is the better of another dog hcing hanged.
Is fheairrde c sgaiteach cnimh a chur 'n a bhial.
A biting dog is the better of a bone.
Gwell cariad y ci na'i gas A docfs friendship is better than his
hate. Welsh.
Is fheairrde ciiideaclid cis-bhrd.
A company is the better of a laughing-stoch.
Al. culaidh-ghire.
Is fheairrde gach cneadh a ceasnachadh.
A wound is the better of being probed.
Is fheairrde gach math a mhudachadh.
Every good is the better of being increased.
Is fheairrde h-uile c a dhion a chinu a dhranndan.
A dog's snarl defends his head.
Is fhearr a bhi bochd na 'bhi briagach.
Better be poor than a liar.
Is fhearr a bhi cinnteach na 'bhi caillteach.
Better be sure than lose.
Is fhearr a bhi cuimhueachadh air a mhath a bha, na
'bhi 'smaoineachadh air a mhath nach 'eil 's nach bi.
Better thinking of the good that lias been, than of that
which is not, and never vjill be.
239
Better he red than scahhy ;
Better scabbi/ than no head.
Al. Is fliearr an dubh na 'n donn ;
'S fhearr an donn na 'm ban ;
'S fhearr am ban na 'n ruadh ;
'S fliearr an ruadh na chrr.
Better
Better
Better
Better
the very same thing in the same words ' 'Tis better to be happy
than wise' 'Better be sonsy than soon iij)' ; 'E meglio esser
fortimato che savio'. So much faith is there in luck, even among
the wisest people.
Is fhearr a bhiadhadh na 'ionnsachadh.
He's better fed than bred. Scot.
Fearr a oileamhain na a oideachas. Ir.
Mieux nourrit qu' instruit. Fr.
Is fhearr a' chlach gharbh air am faighear rud-eigin, na
'chlach mhin air nach faighear dad idir.
Better the rough stone which yields something, than the
smooth stone that yields nothing.
This, of course, has a moral meaning, but the physical reference
is to the species of Lichen called respectively Corcur and Crotal,
which grow on rocks, and were used extensively for dyes in the
Highlands, the one a shade of crimson, the other a reddish brown.
See Lightfoot's Flora Scotica, 2nd ed., Vol. II., pp. 812, 818.
240
Is fhearr a' chlach na 'hhi gun mliathacliadh.
Better stones than no manure.
Instances have been told of stones having been gathered off a
field so carefully as to do the land more harm than good, and
even to lead to their being replaced !
Is fhearr a tliomlias fo sheachd, na 'mhilleadh uile a
dh-aon bheachd.
Better measure short of seven,, than spoil all at once.
This seems to refer to the measure for a kilt, for which seven
yards are required for a well-grown man.
Measure twice, cut once. Scot.
Is fhearr dh na ealain.
Buck is better than skill.
Al. Is fhearr an t-dh na 'mhoch-eirigh Luck is better than
early rising.
See ' Is fhearr a bhi sona' and ' Ealain gun rath'.
Is fhearr aithreachas fuireach na aithreachas falbh.
Better reinnt for staying than for going.
Al. suidhe na aithreachas ruithe /or sitting than for running.
Is fhearr altrum ridhe na altruni bliadhna.
A quarters nursing is letter than a years.
241
Is fliearr an giomach na 'bhi gun fhear-tiglie.
Better a lobster than no husband.
Al. am portan tuathal the awkward crab.
Two women lived together, one of whom stole the other's meal
ont of her bag. The sufferer then put a live lobster into the bag,
and the next time the thief put her hand in she was caught. She
cried out ' Tha'n Donas 'na do phoca ! The Devil's in your bag' !
'Tha,' said the other, "n uair 'tha thus' ann Yes, ivhen you are
there.' Hence the origin of this proverb.
Sease velado, y sease un palo Let it be a husband, though it be
but a hedge-stick. Sjian.
Is fhearr an rath so far am beil e, na 'n ratli ud far an
robli e.
This luck is better where it is, than that where it vjas.
Is fhearr an rathad fada glan na 'n rathad goirid
salach.
Better the long clean road than the short dirty one.
Is fhearr an saoghal ionnsachadh na 'sheachnadh.
Better teach (or learn) the world than shun it.
A very wise saying.
Is fhearr an sneachd na 'bhi gun sian, 'an deigh an
242
Is fearr elus an uilc n an t-olc gan elus. Ir. Share yn oik
shione dooin na yn oik uagh nhione clooin. Manx.
Gwell i dclyn y drwg a wyr na'r drwg nis gwyr. Welsh.
And makes ns rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of. Hamlet, III., 1.
Better the ill ken'd than the guid unken'd. /S'cof.
Is fliearr am bonnach beag leis a' bheanuaclid, na 'm
bonnach mor leis a' mhollaclid.
The little bannock with a blessing is better than the big
one with a curse.
This saying occurs in some of the old Gaelic tales, when a son
is going from home, and is asked by his mother which he prefers.
See Dr. M'Leod's Caraid nan Gaidheal, p. 273.
Al. an t-i;bh beag the little egg; an leth beag the little half.
Is fliearr aon ian 's an limh, na 'dh dhiag air iteig,
243
Is fliearr aon tigh air a nighe' na dha dhiag air an
sguabadh.
Better one house washed than twelve s^vept.
244
Is fhearr caraid 's a cliirt na cmn 's an sporan.
A friend in the court is better than a crovm in theinirse.
Al. na bo 'am buaile than a cow in the fold.
Is feaiT carad 's a g-cuirte na bonn sa sparn. Ir.
Gwell car yn y llys nag aur ar fys. Welsh.
A friend at (or in) court is worth a penny in purse. ^hj/., Scot.
One of the best illustrations of the want of judicial purity in olden
times, which gave rise to this maxim, is Lord President Gilmour's
remark on hearing Cromwell's judges praised for their impartiality
'Deil thank them ! they had neither kith nor kin'. Even in
1737, the advice given in a law-suit in regard to the management
of the Bench was as follows : ' By Lord St. Clair's advice, Mrs.
Kinloch is to wait on Lady Cairnie to-morrow, to cause her to ask
the favour of Lady St. Clair to solicit Lady Betty Elphinston and
Lady Dun'. The ladies last mentioned were the wives of two of
the judges. Lord St. Clair's exquisite caution, in leaving the
management of Lady St. Clair to other people, is interesting. See
Chambers' Dom. Ann., IIL, 29L
Is fhearr coimhearsnach 'am fagus na brthair fad o
limh.
Better a neir/hhour at hand than a hrother far away.
Al. Is fhearr coimhearsnach math 's a' bhaile seo, na caraid
anns a' bhail' ud thall. Bdt&r a good neighbour in this town than
a kinsman in yon town.
Eun amezek mad (math) a zo gwell,
Evit na e kerent (na caraid) '-h&W. Breton.
God Nabo er bedre end Broder i anden By. Dan.
E meglio un prossimo viciuo che un lontano cugino. Ital.
Is fhearr crathadh na cainbe, na crathadh na cirbe.
The shahing of canvass is better than the shaking of a rag.
The meaning of this is not apparent.
Is fhearr c be na leomhan marbh.
Better a living dog than a dead lion.
This is a translation of Eccles. ix. 4.
245
Is fhearr deadli chainnt na h-asail no drocli fliacal
fidh.
The good speech of an ass is letter than the lad word of
a pro2)het.
This of course refers to Balaam. It is the only Gaelic saying
in which the ass is mentioned. The animal was unknown in the
Highlands until modern times.
Is fhearr deadh earbsa na droch flioighidiun.
Full trust is better than iinjMticnce.
Is fhearr deathach an fhraoich na gaoth an reothaidh.
Better the smoke of heather than the wind of frost.
Is fhearr deireadh cuirme na toiseach tuasaid.
Better the end d a feast than the beginning a' a fray.
Scot.
Al. Is fhearr teachd 'an deireadh Better come at the end, d-c.
Fearr deire fleidhe 'na tus bruidhne. Ir.
Is fhearr deireadh math, na droch thoiseach.
Better a good end than a lad leginning.
Macintosh translates this, ' The refuse of the good is preferable
to the best of the ill'.
Is fhearr dhiit do chuid fligail aig do nmhaid, na
dol 'an innibh do charaide.
Better leave your goods luith an enemy, than go to extremes with your friend.
Lit., than go into the howels of.
Is fhearr diol-farmaid, na diol-truaighe.
Better le envied than pitied. -Eng., Scot.
Al. Is fhearr ' Fire faire !' na ' Mo thruaighe !'
Better ^ Hey day!' than 'Alas!'
There is more wit in this version.
Is fearr diol tnu na did truaighe. Ir.
^dovifcrdai Kpeaaov tariv rj oiKTelpecrdai. Herod.
KtiXXta j; cr ^rjXfvov, nap v a fXeuvv. Mod. (rr.
246
Is fhearr do dhuine 'bhreith 'an deadli uair na deadh
athair.
Better he born in good time than a good father.
One of the questionable sayings on the importance of luck.
Is fhearr do dhuine 'bhi 'snaim nan sop na 'bhi 'n a
thmh.
Better knot straws than sit idle.
The Scotch saying is the opposite ' Better be idle than ill
employed '.
Is fhearr duine na daoine.
One man is letter than many men.
Gwell gwr na gw5'T f' S fhearr fear nafir). ^'''elsh.
Is fhearr e na 'choltas.
He is better than he looks.
She's better than she's bonnie. Scot.
Is fhearr eirigh moch na suidhe anmoch.
Better rise early than sit late.
Is fearr eirigh moch na suidhe mall. Ir.
Gae to bed wi' the lamb, and rise wi' the laverock. Scot.
One hour's sleep before midnight is worth three hom-s after.
Eng.
Is fhearr elas math na droch chirdeas.
Good acquaintance is better than bad relationship.
See ' Theid an t-olas'.
Is fhearr 'fhiachainn na 'bhi 's an dil.
It's better to try than to hoj^e.
Very good doctrine.
Is fhearr freasdal na gbhadh.
247
Is fhearr fiiigheall fanaid na fuiglieall farmaid.
The remains of ridicule are better than the dregs of envy.
Is fhearr fuigheall na braide na fuigheaU na sgeige.
The residue of theft is hctter than that of scorn.
Macintosh's translation is, 'The thief may have some profit,
hut the scorner none'. The doctrine is dubious.
Is fhearr fuigheall na uireasbhuidh.
Better leavings than want.
Is fearr fuigheall na bheith air easbhuidh. Ir.
Is fhearr fuine thana na 'bhi uile falamh.
Tliin hieading is hetter than no hrcad.
Bannocks are better than nae bread. Scoi.
Half a loaf is better than no bread. Eng.
Is fhearr greim caillich na tarruing laoich.
An old vjoinan's grip is hetter than a herds indl.
Al. Is fhearr cuniail caillich na tarruiug tighearua.
Better to baud than draw. Scot.
Is fhearr giith na meidh.
A word is hetter than a balance.
This is a 'dubh-fhacal'. The meaning probably is, that the
voice of a powerful friend is of more value than strict impartiality.
In hLs first edition, Macintosh gives the word ' mithe,' and his
translation is, ' Better speak than lose right'.
Is fliearr iarunn fhaotainn na airgiod a chall.
Better find iron than tine siller. Scot.
Is fhearr iasg beag na 'bhi gun iasg idir,
Srna fish is better than nane. Scot.
248
Is fliarr lum-iocM a's t-Fhogliar na sguab a bharrachd.
A halk in Autumn is better than a sheaf the more.
The ' leum-iochd,' or *bailc,' (Scotch 'bauk,') is a strip of a
corn-field left fallow. The fear of being left with the last sheaf
of the harvest, called the ' cailleach,' or ' gobhar bhacach,' always
led to an exciting competition among the reapers in the last field.
The reaper who came on a ' leum-iochd' would of course be glad
to have so much the less to cut. See App. VI.
Is fhearr lbadh na bristeadh.
Better how than break J^ng., Scot.
So Fr., Ital., Span., Port., Germ.
Is fhearr mthair phocanach na atbair claidheacb.
A begging mother is better than a sworded father.
This saying is borrowed from the south. The sworded and
riding father means a freebooter.
Better a thigging mither than a riding faither. Scot.
Is fearr mathair phcain na athair seistrigh (ploughing). Ir.
The sentiment of this is not so respectable.
Is fhearr meomhair luchd an tagraidh na cuimhne
luchd nam fiach.
249
Is fhearr piseach anmocli na 'bhi gun pliiseach.
Better late luck than no luck.
Is fhearr rogha coimhearsnaich na rogha fuine.
Better choice of neighbour than choice of baking.
Is fhearr rud fhgail aig nmhaid na rud iarraidh air
caraide.
Better leave a thing with an enemy than ask of a friend.
Is fhearr sean-fhiachan na sean-fhalachd.
Better old debts than old feuds.
Al. na seana-ghamhlas.
is, ' ach 's e sgineadh a 's iomraitnotable. The suj^posed reply, "S fhearr
mhilleadh,' is merely a translation
belly burst than good meat spoil.
and the English one, 'As good to play for nought as work for
nought'.
Per con. Is fhearr saothaii- fliaoin na daoine diomhain Better
useless work than be idle.
Is fhearr teicheadh math, na droch fhuireach.
Better a good retreat than stag to suffer.
He that fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day,
is the common form of what in Hudibras is.
For those that fly may fight again,
Wliich he can never do that's slain.
Older still, however, is the Greek sajnng, quoted in self-defence
by Demosthenes, when twitted for leaving his shield on the field
of Cheronoea, Avrjp 6 (pfvyav, Kai ttoXlv jiaxriO-eTM, thus translated
by Udall (1542), from the Adagia of Erasmus,
That same man that runnith awaie
Male again fight another daie.
Is fhearr tilleadh am meadhon an tha, na bathadh
uile.
Better turn mid-ford than he droivncd.
Is fearr pilleadh as lr an atha, na bathadh 's a tuile. Ir.
Better wade back mid- water than gang forat and droon. Scoi.
Beter ten halve gekeerd (turn halfway) dan ten heele gedwaald
(he wholly lost). Dutch.
Is fhearr tobhairt caillich na geall riglL
An old loife's gift is better than a king's promise.
There is a democratic sharpness in this, very uncommon in
Gaelic sayings.
Is fhearr treabhadh anmoch na 'bhi gun treabhadh
idir.
Better late 2:)lough7ig than none at all.
Is fhearr uair de bhean-an-tighe na obair latha banoglaich.
Better an hour of the mistress than a days work of the
servant.
251
Is fhearr iinnsa toinisg na pnnncl leom.
An ounce of sense is better them a ijound of pride.
An ounce of wisdom is worth a pound of -wdt. Eng.
252
Is fliurasda duine gun nire 'bheathacbadh.
A siutmelcss man is easily fed.
He that has no modesty has all the town for his ow^l. Eng.
Is fliurasda fear fhaotainn do nighinn gun athair.
Ifs easy to get a match for a fatherless rnaicl.
Is fhurasda fuil a tlioiit a ceann carrach, 'us gal a
tlioirt a craos cam.
Ifs easy to draw Mood from a scabby head, and cry
from a wry mouth.
A scald head is soon broken. Eng.
Is fhurasda fuine 'dheanamh lmh ri min.
It's easy to hake near meed.
Is furas fuineadh a chois mine. Ir.
It's guid baking beside the meal. Scot.
Anhawdd pobi heb flawd Hard to hake without flour. Welsh.
Is fhurasda tein' fhadadh 'an cois craoibhe.
It's easy to kindle a fire at the foot of a tree.
Is furas teine a lasadh a chois connaidh. Ir.
Is fhusa car a chur 's an teanga na 's an luing mhoir.
It's easier to turn the tongue than a hig ship.
This seems meant for an emendation on James iii., 4, 5.
Is fhusa 'chiad togradh a stamhnadh, na na thig 'n a
dheigh a thoileachadh.
It's easier to subdue the first desire than to satisfy its
followers.
A good statement of one of the most important principles of
Moral Philosophy.
Is fhusa comhairle thoirt na comhaMe ghabhail.
'Tis easier to give advice than take it^
Do as I say, and not as I do. Eng.
253
Is fhusa tearnadh na direadh.
Ifs easier to go down than to climb.
Haws dringo na disgyn Easier to dimh than to descend. IVelsli.
The Gaelic saying is true both literally and metaphorically.
The Welsh saying is true only of climbing in very steep or rocky
places.
Is fiach air duine na gheallas e.
A mail's promise is a debt.
Dyled ar pob ei addaw. Welsh,
See 'Am fear a gheallas'.
Is fiamhach an t-snil a lotar,
TJie hurt eye is timorous.
Is follaiseach fuil air c ban.
Blood is notieeable on a ivhite dog.
Is fuar an coimpir' an fhid,
TJie turf is a cold companion.
There is some pathos in this ; and yet the saying may have
been invented by a bereaved person, on the look out for a new
companion.
Is fuar an innis an earn.
The cairn is a cold shelter.
254
Is geal an airidli air an aran sgalagan a' chliatliaidh.
Well tvortky of the bread are the farm-servants of the
harroio.
Is geal an cnradh a thig fad as.
Fair is the bargain that comes from afar.
Far sought and dear bought 's guid for ladies. Scot.
Is geal gach nodha, gii ruig snodhach an fhearna.
Everything neiv is white, even to the sap of the alder.
See ' Is odhar'.
Is geal-lmhacli bean iasgair, 's is geal-fhiaclach bean
sealgair.
The fisher's wife has luhite hands, the huntci^'s wife ivhite
teeth.
255
Is goiiid an Carghus leosan d' an eudar airgiod a
dliiol air a' Chisg.
Lent is short to them who have money to ;pay at Whitsunchiy.
Is gorm na cniiic 'tlia fada uainn.
256
Is i 'n
A black
A green
Eu gron
A green
dhruim fhein.
Many a man has gone to the wood for a stick to heed
himself
Is ioma fear a chuir gradh mu lios, nach d'tliug a
thoradh as.
Manif a man has ivcdlcd a garden, u'ho never tasted of
its fruit.
Is ioma fear a ghoid caora, nach deachadh leatha air
taod do Sternabhaigh.
Many a one has stolen a sheep, thcd didiit lead her in
to Stornovxiy.
It is liardly necessary to sav that this is a Lewis proverb.
259
Is ioma fear a tha gle mlior as a shlabhraidh, ged is e
niaide-crom a bh' aig a sheanair.
Many a one is proud of his 'pot-hanger , though his
grandfather had hut a crook.
The slabhraidh is an iron chain suspended over the fire-phice,
with a hook at the end, on whicli pots are hung for cooking. The
maide-crom (al. crcanj was simply a wooden crook.
Is ioma leannan a th' aig an aois.
Old age has mang followers.
Al. Is ioma ni "tha leanmhuinn na h-aois Many things follow
age. See ' Thig gach olc ',
Is ioma long cho briste 'tliainig gu tir.
Many a ship as broken has come to land.
Is ioma mir a thug thu do 'n bhial a mliol tliii.
Many a morsel you have put in the mouth that praised
you.
Is ioma ni a chailleas fear na h-imrich.
Many a thing is lost injiitting.
Three removes are as bad as a fire. Eng., Fr., Germ.
Cha bliiann imirce gan chaill. Ir.
Is ioma ni 'thig air an laogh nach do shaoil a mhathair.
il/ore things befall the calf than his dam dreamed of.
Is ioma rud a dh'fheumas an euslaint nach fheum an
t-slinte.
Sickness needs many things ivhich health requires not.
Is ioma rud 'tha 'm bth a' cheannaiche nach leis
fhein.
260
Is ioma rud a thachras ris an fhear a bhios a muigh.
Many things happen to him who goes abroad.
Is ioma te 'bhios cearbach aig a' bhaile, 'theid gu
riomhach tbim na feille.
Many a homc-dovxly goes gay to the fair.
Is ioma te 'chuir cl 'n a dhiosg.
Many a she has put kail into his dish.
Is ioma teine beag a bheothaichear.
Many a small fire is kindled.
Is ioma teine mor a chaidh as.
Many a great fire has gone out.
Is ioma tonn a th' eadar thu 's tir.
There is many a ivave betiveen thee and land.
Is ioma tonn a thig air a' chladach mu'n tachair sin.
Many a wave will come on the shore ere that happens.
Is iomadh urchair 'tha 'dol 's an fhraoch.
Many a shot goes into the heather.
Donald can tell many a tale of Messrs Briggs & Co.
Is iongantach cho gearr 's a tha thu, 's uach bu bhrd
a b' athair dhut.
It's wonderfid how curt yon are, not being a poet's son.
261
'Avt S TO (Tiyav fiokoyovvTos (ttl aov. Eurip.
Qui tacet consentire videtur. Lat. Law Maxim. Chi tace
acconsente. Ital. Quien calla oioY^^. Span. Wer schweigt
Vjejalit. Germ. Silence gives consent. E^iij.
Is labhar na builg fhs.
Noisy are the emfty hags.
Macintosh's translation is, ' Loud is the bouncing of the blownnp bladder,' which is tree but felicitous. The bag, to make a
noise, must have been made of skin of some sort.
Is lag greim fear an neo-shnnt.
Weak is the grasp of the downcast.
Is lag gualainu gun bhrthair, 'an am do na fir teaclid
'an lthair.
Weak is shoulder without brother,
When men are meeting one another.
Berr er hverr a baki, nema ser broSur eigi Bare is one's hack,
262
Is leiqlieas air gach tinn
Cneamli 'us ini a' Mhigli ;
01 'ail fhocliair sid
Bainne-gliobliar ban.
Gaiiick with May butter
Cureth all disease ;
Drinh of goats ivJiite milk
At same time icith these.
263
Is leisg le leisgein dol a laidlie, 's is seaclid leisge leis
eirigh.
Loath is tJbc lazy to go to bed, seven times loatJicr to 7'ise.
Leisge liiidhe, agus leisge ag eirigh, sin mallachd Choluimcliille. Ir.
Litcheragh goU dy lliie, litclieragli dy irree, as litcheragli dy
gholl dys J cheeill Jedoonee. Man.r.
Ever sick of the slothful guise,
Loth to bed and loth to rise. Eng.
264
This saying appears to be of purely Gaelic origin, thoiigh it
found its way into the Lowlands, and from thence was duly translated into English. The very word 'tale,' in the Scottish and
265
Is luaitliid a' chas a bristeadh, mar a thuirt am fear a
chunnaic gas rainich a' falbh leis a' ghaoith.
The leg that breaks is all the quicJcer, as the man said
who saw a stalk of bracken going before the v.nnd.
There is sometliing comical in this, though trivial.
Is luath agus mall comhairle an duine.
Swift and sloiv is man's counsel.
This way and that dividing the swft mind. Tennyson.
Is luath an ton 's an teid an t-eagal.
He is sicift on whom fear comes.
Is luath fear doimeig air fire, latha fuar Earraich.
Sicift goes the slatterns husband over the brae, on a cold
Spring day.
See ' Aithnichear fear doimeig'.
Is lugha na fride mthair a' chonnsachaidh.
Tiie mother of dissension is smaller than ct mite.
The mother of miscliief is no bigger than a midge's wing. Eng.
Is luibh-chridlie learn f hein e. It is hearfs-ea.se to myself.
Is maireann gus an crion. Lasting till it wither.
Is mairg a bheireadh as a' clilachan thu !
Pity him wlio would bring you back from the church !
Said of ineligible yoi;ng women a saying belonging to the
time when Highland marriages were performed in church.
Is mairg a bhiodh a' biathadh nan each agus gun
phris orra.
Pity him v:ho toould keep v.p horses when there is no
price for them.
Is mairgabhiodh a'breith dhaoine,'s na h-eich chogann !
Pity them icho ivould bring forth men, when horses are
so scarce !
That is, useless men.
Is mairg a bhiodh 'n a clirann air dorus duin' eile.
Pity him ivho is a bar on another s door.
The ' crann' is a wooden bar fastened across the door wlien the
inmates go out the ordinary way of closing a Highland cottage.
A person who helps to keep other people's doors closed as well as
his own, is not to be euAied.
2G6
Is mairg a chaillear 's an an-iiair !
Alas for him who is lost in the storm !
Is mairg a cliitheadh adhaircean fad' air a' chrodh
ghuineideach.
Pity him who would see long Jiorns on the hvttinf] covj.
Al. Is math nach 'eil adhaircean fad' air na b luinneanach
Ifs well that the frisky cotes haven't long horns.
The puttin' coo should be aye a doddy (hornless). Song by Sir
A. Bosrvell.
Is m lirg a chuireadli a lmli gun aobhar 'am bial a'
mhadaidh.
Piti/ him v:ho would put his hand ivithout cause into a
dogs mouth.
Is mairg a chuireadh 'an toiseach na luing' thu.
Pity him ivho would put you in the shijfs hoio.
As pilot, or look-out man.
Is mairg a chuireadh an ir air sil a charaide.
Pity him 'Loho vwuld put the earth on the eye of his
friend.
Who would do him to death.
Is mairg a chuireadh 'uile dhigh 'an aon duine 'chaidh
'n de 'n a chre.
Woe to him that puts all his trust in any mortal sprung
from dust.
Is mairg a chuireas a chuid far nach urrainn da a
toirt as.
Pity him who puts his means where he cannot get it out.
Is mairg a chuireas air chl a dhaoine fhein.
Pity him ivho turns his back on his oivn people.
Is mairg a chuireas farran air fann.
Woe to him who vexes the weak.
Is mairg a dh' raicheadh a laogh gu moilleach, 's an
267
Is mairg a dheanadh subhachas ri dnbhaclias fir eile.
Woe to him that would rejoice at aaotJier's grief.
Is mairg a dh' earbadh an oidhche fhad' Fhogbair ris.
Pity him that would trust the long Autumn night
to him.
This was said, no doubt, of a notorious reaver or thief.
Is mairg a ghuidlieadh lrach 16m.
Woe to him ivho would wish a ruined home to any one.
Is mairg a loisgeadh a thigh roimh 'n chreich.
Pity him who vjould hum his house lefore the sack.
Is mairg a loisgeadh a thiompan dut !
Pity him who tvould hum his harp for you !
This alludes to the story of a Hebridean harper, who having
nothing else to make a fire with to warm his wife, broke his harp
in pieces and burned it. His wife's heart, it seems, was colder
than her body, as she ran away with another man before morning!
This story forms the subject of one of Hector McNeill's poems.
The word 'tiompan,' tympanum, is used in the Scottish and
Irish Gaelic Bible as the translation of timljrel, but the Dictionaries
give it as a term for 'any musical instrument'.
Is mairg a ni de 'n olc na dh' fhaodas e.
JVoe to him that docs as much ill as he can.
Is mairg a ni droch chleachdadh.
Woe to him who makes a had halit.
Is mairg a ni tarciiis air a bhiadh.
Pity him that desinses his food.
Is mairg a rachadh air a bhannaig, 'us a tlieann-shath
aige fhein.
268
Is mairg a sliineadh lmh iia h-airce do chridlie na circe.
Pity him thai stretches the needij hand to the henhearted.
Is mairg a thachair dh' an tir thalmlianta, far nacli
sniomh cailbh' cuigeal.
Pity the one vjho comes to the land where a ixtrtition
uont spin a distaff.
This absurd sajaiig was uttered by a half-witted young woman,
who had a good and too kind mother. The young woman was
fond of going out ' air cheilidh,' to make long calls, and she would
leave her distaff with its wool on it resting against the partitionwall, that divided the ' but ' and ' ben '. Her worthy mother
would take it herself, spin the wool, and leave the distaff where
her daughter left it ; and the foolish creature believed that the
spinning was done for her by some supernatural means. At
length her mother died, and the poor girl went for some time to
friends at a distance, where she tried the old trick with her distaff,
and, to her disappointment, found it on her return just as she left
it. Then she made the above remarkable observation. It is
applied to lazy or silly people, who expect to have their work
dune for them.
Is mairg a theid do 'n trigli an uair a tlia h-ein fliL-in
'g a treigsinn.
Pity him u'ho goes to the shore^ ichen its oivn birds are
forsaking it.
Who goes in search of shellfish.
A I. Is mairg a thaghladh a chreag, 's a h-ein fliin 'g a fgail
Pihj him who visits the rock which its oivn birds are leaving.
Is mairg a thrigeadh a chaomh charaid.
269
Is mairg aig am bi 'n tighearna fann ;
Is mairg aig am bi claim gun rath ;
Is mairg aig am bi 'm bothan gaiin ;
Ach 's miosa 'bhi gun olc no 'mliath.
'Tis ill to have a jnthless lord ;
To have children unthout hick ;
III to dwell in hothy 2^oor ;
But ivorst is, neither ill nor good.
The Irish version of this (Bourke's Ir. Gramm., 288) is almost
identical, the only difference being in the last words of the first
line, where, strange to say, the Scottish Celt is more outspoken
about lairds
Is
Is
Is
Is
mairg
mairg
mairg
mairg
a
a
a
a
property.
Is mairg do 'n dual am poll itheadh.
Pity him whose birthright is to eat dirt.
This is a forcible way of expressing the disadvantage of being
boi'n of bad blood.
Is mairg do 'n dthchas drocb gbalar.
Sad is the inheritance of a bad disease.
Is mairg do 'n sguaban-sttliaidh bo mliaol odhar
Mhic-Gbill-Eoinidh.
Pity him whose resource is MaeGillonys hornless dun
cow.
Macintosh says that MacGillony was a famous
Grampians, and that several vestiges of his
still to be seen (1785) in the mountains of
was the wild mountain doe. The text of this
hunter in the
temporary huts are
Atholl. His dun cow
proverb in Macin-
270
tosh is puzzling and unintelligible. 'Is mairg g'a 'n scuab bun
staghail bo miiaol odliar Mhicalonabliaidh,' translated, 'Woe to
him whose main support is the white cow of Macgilony'. The
word ' staghail ' is unknown, and the assonance required a word
in which ' o ' is the first vowel, which ' stthaitlh ' supplies.
'Stthadh' means the cutting of corn short, as would be done
for a hasty supply. The ]\acGillonies belonged to the Clan
Cameron, but originally, as the name implies, were allied to the
MacLeans. See Gregory's Hist, of the IF. Islands, p. 77.
Is mairg 'g am bi cairdean faim.
Fifij him loho has ivcah friends.
Is mairg 'g am bi comhaltas gann, 'us clann gun rath.
Pity him ivho has feio foster-friends, and luckless children.
Is mairg nacb beathaich a thruaghan.
Woe to him ivho tvon't riiaintain his oivn poor creature.
This good old sentiment sometimes receives sad illustration in
our Courts, in Poor Law and Filiation cases.
Is mall a mharcaicheas am fear a bheachdaicheas.
He rides slowly vjho observes.
Is mall adhart na leisge. Slow is thej^rogress of the lazy.
Is mall ceum nan dall.
271
Is math a' chobhair e, ach 's bochd an sabhal e.
It's a good assistance, but a bad barn.
Stdd of such occupations as fishing, hunting, &c.
Is math a' chirt 's am faighear rud ri' iarraidh.
It's a good court where a thing can be got for the ashing.
Is math a dh' fhimireadh an dan a dheanamh, 's a
huthad fear-millidh a th' aige.
The lioe.m would need to be well made, since it has so
many spoilers.
Bad reciters and carping critics.
Is math a dh' fhoghnas fir odhar do mhnathan riabhach.
Sallow lads suit swarthy lasses.
Firidh fear odhar do bhean riabhach. Ir.
Is math a ghabh e tomhas mo choise.
iVell did he take the measure of my foot.
I have got the length of liis foot, Eng.
Is math a' margadh a riaraicheas an ceannaiche.
the side of a burn, Allt Acha-na-beithich, took off one of his shoes,
and mixed the meal in it with water from the stream. Thereupon
he is said to have made this verse,
Is math an ccair an t-acras,
'S niairg a ni tarcuis air biadh,
Fuarag ern' ann' sail mo bhrige,
Biadh a b' fhearr a fhuair mi riamh.
Hunger is a cook right good,
Woe to him who sneers at food,
Barley crowdie in my shoe,
Tlie sweetest food I ever kneio.
Is math an ealag a' chlach gus an ruigear i.
The stone is a good chopping-hlock till it's reached.
Is math an fhiacal a bhi roimh 'n teanga.
It is loell that the teeth are before the tongue.
Da daint rhag tafod Good are teeth before tongue. JFelsh.
The mouth is the tongue's prison. Arab.
Is math an glus toil.
Will is a good putter-in-trim.
See ' Far am bi toil'.
273
Is math an latha 'ni a' madadh-ruadh searmoiu.
It's a fine day lohen the fox turns preacher.
Quanclo la volpe predica, guardatevi, galline ! Ital.
See Reynard the Fox.
Is math an naigheachd a bhi gun naigheachd.
No iiews is good news.
Is math an riid a thig ri 'mhithich.
It's a good thing that comes in season.
Is math an rud air an tig piseach.
It's a good thing which luck follows.
Is math an saoghal seo ma
This is a good life if it
Is maith a saoglial , ma
It's a guid eneuch warld,
mhaireas e.
vjovld last.
mhaireann se a bh-fliad. Ir.
if it baud. Scot.
274
Is math an t-uaireadair a' bhrii, an t-sil, 's an coileach.
The belly, the eye, and the cock, are good timepieces.
Men of old could guess the time of day very nearly by the sun.
Their sensations informed them when it was breakfast or suppertime. The crowing of the cock was their morning-call.
Is math an iirra fear mulain.
A man with some corn is a good security.
Is math bean an deadh fhir, ach is fhearr dha a faotainn math.
The good man's wife is good, hut it is best if he find her
good.
That is, find her good, instead of making her good.
Is math conach. Wealth is good.
' Conach ' is a word obsolete in our vernacular.
Is math cruinneachadh na pille farsuinn.
Good is the gathering of the wide ivinnotving-cloth.
276
Is miannaiche aon gliille breac-luirgneach ua seachd
muathan torrach.
One S20otty-lcgged lad has more appetite that seven pregnant women.
Is milis corrag theth, ma 's milis cha mhatb.
Sweet is a hot finger, but not to he desired.
Is mine min na gran, is mine mni na iir.
Meal is finer than grain, ivomen are finer than men,
277
Is niiuig a thainig conihairle glilic a ceann amadain.
Often has tcise counsel come from afooVs head.
Al. a bial an amadain the fool's mouth.
Al. 'S minig a bha conihairle righ 'an ceann amadain.
279
Is mios' amaideachd na h-aois na amaideachd ua
h-Qe.
The folly of age is worse than the folly of youth.
See 'Cha 'n 'eil amadan'.
Is mios' an fhead na 'n eubh.
The whistle is worse than the cry.
The whistle of a thief or cateran.
Is mios' an t-eagal na 'n cogadli.
Fear is loorse tlmn fighting.
A wise and manly sentiment.
Is mios' an t-sochair na 'mliirle.
Carelessness is tcorse than theft.
More loss is caused by the one than by the other.
Is miosa na 'n uireasbhuidh tuiUe 's a choir.
Too much is u-orse thaii tvant.
Per con. 'S mios' an t-uireasbhuidh na tuille 's a' choir Want
is worse than too much.
There is some truth in both these, combined in the prayer of
Agur, ' Give me neither poverty nor riches'.
Is mios' an t-urras na'n t-earras.
The security is luorse tlmn the prineiijal.
Is miosa droch earbsa na 'blii gun earbs' idir.
Ill-lilaeed trust is worse than none.
Is miosa 'fear a chleitheas a' mirleacli na 'mirleach
fliin.
He that cloaks the thief is vjorse than him.
Is miosa 'fear beag na Frangach.
The wee man is v:orse than a Frenchman.
This is said to have been spoken of a little Strathspey man
called John MacAndrew, a noted bowman, who shot down his
enemies one after another, as they appeared at the door of his
280
jar outside, while he went in to make his call. The worthy minister was easily appeased, and Donald hastened out for the great
reconciler, and proceeded at once to fill out a glass. To his astonishment, the minister had no sooner tasted than he spat it out
again, exclaiming, with a strong interjection, ' 'S miosa so na 'n
t-alum !' The parson's wicked brother had emptied the jar, and
filled it with salt water.
Is misde na bochdan a bhi lionmhor.
The foor are the worse of being numerous.
Is mis' a bha tliall 's a cliunnaic e, 's a tliinig a nail
's a dh'innis e.
'Tis I that was over and saw it, and came hack and
told it.
Is mithich a bhi 'bogadh nan gad.
It's time to he steeping the withes.
This native Gaelic saying, meaning 'It's time to be going,'
belongs to the time when withes of birch or osier were iised for
halters and all the fastenings of horse harness (See note to ' An
gad'). These withes would laecome stiff and brittle, if laid by for
some time, and would therefore be steeped for a while before
taking to horse. There is an Ulster saying in the same words.
Is mo am fuaim na 'bhuil.
The noise is greater than the effect.
Nid cymmaint Bleddyn a' i drwst Bleddyn is not so great as
his noise. Welsh.
Plus sonat qnam valet. Seneca.
See 'Fuaim mr'.
Is mo an-t-sil na 'bhrii.
The eye is higgcr than the helly.
Al. Is mo Ian do shiila na Ian do bhroinn The fill of your eye
is more, &c.
His eye is bigger than his belly. Eng.
Die Augen sind weiter denn der Bauch. Germ.
De oogen zijn groter dan de bulk. Dutch.
The eye is not satisfied with seeing. Eccl. i. 8.
The dust alone can fill man's eye. Arab.
He'll hae eneuch some day when his mouth's fu' o' niools. Scot.
Is ra do mholl na do shiol.
Yoiir chaff is more than your grain.
Is mocli a dh' eireas am fear a bheir an car as.
He ivill rise early that outioits him.
Is moch a dh' eireas am fear nach laidh.
He rises early who goes not to hed.
281
Is moid a' mhiiir Lchaidh.
The sea is the bigger of Lochy.
The Lochy, a fine river flowing out of a lake of the same name,
falls into the sea near the base of Ben Nevis.
Is moid i sid, mu'n dubhairt an dreaglian-donn, 'n uair
a rinn e dhileag 's a' mhuir mhoir.
Ifs the ligger of that, as the icren said ivhen he added
a drojp to the sea.
Scottish Proverb to same effect.
Is moid rud a roinn.
A thing is the bigger of heing shared.
A generous sentiment.
Is mor a dh' fhaodar a dheanamli fo limh deadh
dhiiine.
Much may he done under a good mail's hand.
282
Cha 'n e 'n t-nradh a th' ann,
Ach cion foighidinn gu fuireach.
Of great yir ice is patience ;
Wrath declines with waiting ;
Not the evil is so great,
As impatience to ivait.
Is mor thugam, 's is beag agam.
Great appearance and little value.
Is mor le doimeig a cuid abhrais ; 's cha 'n e mhid
ach a dhorrad.
TJie slattern's sp7ining -stuff looks great to her ; not the
bulk, but the bother.
Defnyddfawr pob angheUydd Unskilful requires much stuff.
Welsh.
283
Is odhar gach sean, 's is geal gach nobha, gu ruig
snodhach an fhearna.
Every old thing is dim, every nciu thing ichite, even to
the sap of the alder.
The alder when stripped of its bark is very white, but very
soon the colour changes to reddish brown and dun.
Is g an NoUaig a' chiad oidhche.
Christmas is young the first night.
Is olc a blii slaodadh cait air 'earball.
284
Is olc a' muileann a cliuireas a chuid a dh 'aon taobh.
It's a had mill that sends all its meal one way.
Is olc a' sgrioban nach lion a' sgrban.
It's 'poor scra'ping that wont fill the crop.
Is olc a thig muc-saille air sobhraichean na coille.
The fat soio is ill-fed on the jyrvnroses of the wood.
Is olc a thig saor sr-bhuilleach, goblia crith-lamhach,
agus leigh tioin-cliridheach.
A heavy-handed joiner, a trcmhliny-handed smith, and
a soft-hearted leech, do not suit.
A good surgeon must have an eagle's eye, a lady's hand, and a
lion's heart. Eng.
The use of ' thig ' = fit, without a preposition, is peculiar, and
not according to present usage.
Is olc am bodach nach fheairrde cailleach eadar i 's
an dorus.
Hes a vjretched old man that an old ivife is not the
letter of having hetween her and the door.
Is olc am pisd' nach cuir sop air digh.
It's a had child that can't arrange a wisp.
Is olc an ccair nach imlich a mhiar.
He's a poor cooh that doesn't lich his finger.
Sa er brytinn vestr er sjalfan sik taelir. It is the worst cooh that
stints himself. Icel.
Is olc an comunn dheth 'm bi dithis diombach.
It's had company with which two are displeased.
Al. an comhradh the colloquy; an cluich the game; an
gnothach the business.
Is olc an dithis nach fhoghainn do dh-aon duine.
It's a poor pair that are no match for one.
Is olc an fheil nach gabh ri salann ; is miosa a' cholainn nach gabh guth.
It's had meat that won't take salt; zoorse is the hody
that won't take ivarning.
Is olc an goile nach teth a chnid.
It's a had stomach that its food won't ivarm.
285
Is olc au obair latha nacli toir duine gu cala mu
oidhche.
It's a had days ivork that ivonH hring a man to iwrt
for the night.
Is olc an rmh nacli iomair rudha.
Us a had oar that xoon't row round a 'point.
Is olc an t-ana-charaid an righ.
The, king is a had un-friend.
Is olc an t-aoigh a 's misd an tigli.
He is a had guest vjhom the house is the ivorsc of.
A kindly and hospitable sentiment.
Is olc an t-each nach fliiach a chrudhadh.
Hes a had horse that's not ivorth shoeing.
Is olc an t-each nacli gilain 'fhasair.
It's a poor horse that can't carry his harness.
He's a weak baist that downa bear the saiddle. iicot.
Al. Is don' an t-each nach gilain a shiol He's a icretched horse
that can't carry his corn.
Superbo quel cavallo che non si vnol portar la biada
He's a proud horse that won't carry his oats. Ital.
Is olc an teanga a 's luaithe na 'n teine.
Bad is the tongue that's swifter than fire.
Is olc do'n luing an uair a dh'eiglieas an stiireadair.
It's ill for the ship when the steersman sings out.
To ' sing out ' is the duty of the man at the bow ; if he fail in
his duty, then the ship is in great danger.
Is olc cuid a' cheatharnaich ri 'thasgadh.
The reaver's goods are ill to keep.
Is olc maoin gun leasachadh.
286
Unter den Blinden ist der Einaugige Konig. Germ.
In bet land der blinden is een-oog koning. Dutch.
En tierra de ciegos el tuerto es rey. Span.
Tbe one-eyed is a beauty in the country of the blind. Arab.
In terra di ciechi beato chi ha un occhio. Ital.
Is rigli duine 'n a thigh fhem.
A man is king in his own house.
Hair er heima hverr Every one is somebody at home. Iccl.
An Englishman's house is his castle. This saying, singularly
enough, is not in Mr. Hazlitt's collection.
Is righeachd do gach duine a thoil.
A mans will is his kingdom.
My mind to me a kingdom is. Byrd's Psalms.
Lord of himself, though not of lands. Wotton.
Mens regnum bona possidet :
Rex est qui metuit nihil ;
Rex est cpii cupit nihil ;
Hoc regnum sibi quisque dat. Seneca.
Is smhach an obair dol a dholaidh.
Going to ruin is silent 7vork.
Al. Is fas a bhi do! a dholaidh.
Is sealgair math a mharbhas gadh, 'us corr', 'us guilbneach.
He is a good sportsman who kills ivild-goose, and heron,
and curleiv.
Three particularly wary birds.
Is sean an duine a dh' fhaodas 'fhortan innseadh.
He is an old man that can tell his fortune.
Is searbh a' ghlir nach fhaodar eisdeachd ; is dubh na
mnathan ris nach bitear.
Harsh is the praise that cannot he listened to; dark
are the dames that none can flirt with.
Is searbh clrsair an aon-phuirt.
Harsh is the harper of one tune.
Al. piobair' an aon phuirt, the piper, d-c.
Still harping on my daughter. Hamlet, II., 2.
Is seasgair smhach a' chearc air a h-iris fhein.
The hen is snug and quiet on her oivn roost.
Is seile air do bhrat fhein sin.
That is spitting on your oivn mantle.
Wie tegen wind spuwt,maakt zijn baard vuil IVlw spits against
the ivindjyles his beard. Dutch.
287
Quien al cielo escupe, en la cara le cae Who spits above him
will get it on his face. Span.
Is sgeul eile sin. Timfs another story.
Is sleamhain an laogh a dh'imlicheas a mhthair.
Smooth is the calf that his mother licks.
Is sleamhain leac dorus an tigh-mhir.
Slippery is the flag-stone of the mansioji-house door.
There's a sliddery stane at the ha' door. Scot.
Ha' binks (benches) are sliddery. Do.
Is sleamhuin leac dorus tigh moir. Ir.
John Morrison of Bragar is said to have illustrated this saying
once in a lively manner, by taking some sand out of his pocket
at the door of Brahan Castle, and carefully sprinkling it on the
flagstones. Being asked what he meant, he quoted the above
proverb.
Is
Is
Na
B'
288
Is stuama duine limh ri 'chuid.
A man is moderate near wliafs his oivn.
Is suarach au cirdeas a dh' fheumas a shior cheannacli.
It's poor fricndshi'p that must he constantly bought.
Is suarach uisge teth a shireadh fo chloich fhuair.
It's silly to seek hot loater under a cold stone.
To seik liet water beneith cauld ice,
Surely it is a greit folie ;
I have asked grace at a graceless face,
But there is nane for my men and me !
Ballad of Johnie Armstrang.
Is taom-boileach an t-sealg, is farmadacli an t-iasgach.
Hunting is distracting, fishing is envious.
Is tearc each a dhiltas a mhuing.
Seldom will a horse refuse his mane.
Is tearc teanga mhin gun ghath air a cl.
289
Is toigh leis an fheannaig a h-isean garrach gorm.
The crovj likes licr greedy blue chick.
Is treasa da chaiUeach lag iia aon chailleach lidir.
Two weak old vjomen are stronger than one strong one.
Is treasa deadh-rach na meath-ghalar.
Good nurture overcomes disease.
Is treasa Dia na Doideag ; is treasa Doideag na MacIlleathain.
God is stronger than Doideag ; Doideag is stronger
than MacLean.
Doideag was a mtcli, at one time mucli feared in the island of
Mull. She was peculiarly ibeaded for her power in raising storms.
^lacLean of Duart, the Chief of that great Clan, was of course
290
Is trie a bha bean saoir gun chuigeil, 's bean griasaiche
gun bhrig.
A carpenters wife has often vMnted a distaff, and a
shoemakers wife sJwes.
Is trie a bha breagh air an fheill, mosach'n a thigh fhein.
Fine at the fair may he mean at the fireside.
Is trio a bha claidheamh fada 'an limh gealtair'.
A long stoord has often been in a coivard's hand.
291
292
Is trie a fhuair gunna urchair-iasaid.
A gun has often got a loan-shot.
It was sometimes believed that an unloaded gun might go off
notwithstanding, and kill, if incautiously handled an exaggeratiun of the proper horror of a reckless handling of fire-arms.
Is trie a mlieall e sheis, an neacli a glieall a bhi tairis
da.
Oftfii has one failed Msfelloio, who 'promised to he true
to him.
Is trie is daoire 'chomain na 'n dubh-cheannacb.
A favour often costs more than ivhat's hard-bought.
Spesso i doni sono danni Gifts are often losses. Ital.
Is trie a tbainig trod mor a aobhar beag.
Often has great quarrel s'prung from little cause.
Is trie a thug fear na eiad cheilidh fior bharail.
The vian of first visit has often judged truly.
Gloggt es gestz augat Sliar'p (gleg) is the eye of a guest. Icel.
Is trie leis an droeh-sgenl a bhi fior.
Bad news is often true.
Is trie naeh tig ath-sgeul air droch-sgeul.
Ill news is not often contradicted.
Is trie naeh robh ach beagan sneaehd air tigh a
mhirlich.
Thei^e has often been hut little snoiu on the roof of the
thief.
He would probably be out at night, and have a fire kept on
whUe honest people were in bed, which would melt the snow un
the thatch.
Is trom air tigh gun nire.
A shameless house has its burden.
Is trom an eat ri 'shor-ghilan.
293
Is trm an iorram 's an t-iomradh.
'Tis heavy to chant and row.
See ' Cha 'n urrainn domh 'h-eigheach '.
Is trom an uallach an aois. Age is a heavy load.
Grave senectus est hominibiis pondus. Lat.
Is trom buiir an t-sean laoich.
Heavy is the old herds Uoio.
See ' Is fhurasda buill' '.
Is trom dithis air aon duine.
Tiuo to one are heavy odds.
See 'Cothrom'.
Is trom dithis air an aon mhis, gun ac' acli an t-aon
ghleiis.
Two are heavy on one dish, when there is hut one ration.
Is trom eaUach gun iris.
Heavy is the load without a rope to hold hy.
None of the Dictionaries give this meaning of the word ' iris,'
which in the Hebrides is the common term for the rope with
which a creel or a bundle of any kind is carried.
Is trom geum bo air a h-aineol.
Heavy is the coiv's low in a strange fold.
Is rd gum b air a h-ainelas. Jr.
Is trom na tubaistean air na slibistean.
294
hull was pasturing, and hearing him growling, b^gan to mimic
him, which naturally excited the bull to give him chase, bellowing
furiously. The fool was clever enough to get over a dyke just in
time, and then, safe behind the wall, he addressed the bull as
above. The Lowland version, which I have heard told in Galloway of a baronet, is, ' Boo to yirseV I Who begoo'd it ? '
Is tu thilg a' clilach air a' chaisteal !
What a stone you threvj at tlie castle !
Said ironically, when some small person hits his superior.
Is uaine fiar na faiche a 's fsaiche.
Green is the grass of the least trodden field.
Is uaisle toll na tuthag.
Hole is genteeler than patch
Per con. Is mios' an cliid na 'n toll The clout is v:orse than
the hole. See ' Is fhearr breid '.
Is uasal a blii 'n ad shiiidhe, 'n ad ruitli.
It's nolle to he sitting and running.
Said of driving in a carriage.
Is uasal mac an an-uasail an tir nam mirleach ; is
an-uasal mac an uasail, mur bi e trubhach.
The lovdy-born is a gentleman among thieves; the
295
serpents, and that they eat them tail foremost, first stampincj on
the head. It is said that while the goat is thus enga<ied, it utters
a querulous noise, not liking the wriggling of the adder. A verse
in reference to this is,
Cleas na goibhre 'g ith' na nathrach,
'G a sior-itheadh, 's a' sior-thalach.
The goafs trick with the serpent,
Eating away, and still complaining.
Be this as it may, it is positively affirmed by persons of experience,
that serpents disappear where goats pasture.
Itheadh nan con air a' bhlianaich.
The dogs' eating of the carrion.
For want of any better.
L.
L a' blilir 's math na cirdean.
Friends are good on the day of battle.
La air mhisg, 's la air uisge.
To-day drunk, to-morrow on water.
La er meshtey, as la er ushtey. Manx.
La biiain an lin. The day of lint-rea'ping.
Nevermas, lint being never cut, but plucked up.
La buidhe Bealltainn.
Yellovj May-Day.
La Fheill-Brighde bine, bheir na cait an connadh
dhachaidh.
On fair St. Brides day the cats vjUI briny home the
brush-wood.
Another saying, apparently better founded, associates this with
St. Patrick's day, about which time (17th March) the weather is
generally dry, compared \\ith Candlemas.
The ^lanx ' Laa '1 Breeshy bane ' corresponds with the above.
La Fheill-Brighde thig an ribhinn as an toll; cha
bhean mise dha'n ribhinn, 's cha bhean an ribhinn rim.
On St. Bride's day the nymph will come out of the hole:
I ^von't touch the nymph, and she won't touch me.
Al. Seachdain roimh Fheill-Brighde,
Thig nigh'n lomhair as an torn ;
Cha bhi mise ri nigh'n lomhair,
'S cha mho 'bhios nigh'n lomhair rium.
A iveeic before St. Bride's Day Ivor's daughter will come out of the
knoll; I won't molest her, and she won't hurt me.
The ' ribhinn ' and ' nigh'n lomhair ' are both euphemistic or
deprecatory names for the adder ; the one known in Skye, the
other in Rannoch. A lady called 'Nighean lomhair,' wife of
John M'Kenzie, constable of Eilean-Donnam Castle, was suspected
of having poisoned there (1550) John Glassich of Gairloch, who
claimed the Kintail estates. This may possibly have given rise
to the application of her name to the serpent. Another version is
' an niomhair,' the venomous one.
297
La Fheill-Ein a 's t-Samhradh, theid a' chubhag gu
'tigh Geamhraidh.
On Si. John's day in Swniiner, the cuckoo goes to her
winter home.
St. John's day, 24th June.
La Fheill-Ein, their iad aighean ris na gamlma.
On St. Johns day they call the stirlcs heifers.
St. John's day is ordinarily called Feill-Eathain, as the M'Leans
are called Clann-Ill-Eathain, a mere phonetic spelling of Euirij or
Iain, John, or Ian.
La Fheill Math-Cheasaig bidh gach easgann torrach.
On St. KessocJc's day, every eel is pregnant.
St. Kessock's day is 21st March. Fairs named after this saint
are still held at Callander and at Cumbrae, on or about that
date. Kessock Ferry at Inverness is also named after him.
In the MS. Collection of Ewen MacDiarmid, mentioned in
the Preface, of which the present editor has had the beneht, the
word 'easan,' little waterfall, is substituted for ' easgann'. This is
intelligible, though the use of the word ' torrach ' as applied to
water is anomalous. The reference to eels is more singular, that
fish being of ill-repute in the Highlands. The fresh-water eel, in
particular, is never eaten in Scotland, though at one time it appears to have been largely vised as an article of diet. See Innes's
Scotland in the Mid. Ages, p. 124. I have been unable to get any
scientific information as to the spawning time of eels.
La Luain. The moon-day.
Another version of Nevermas, or the Greek Kalends.
La sheachnaidh na bliadhna.
The day of the year to be avoided.
Armstrong (Did.) says this term was applied to the 3rd of
May ; others say the 2nd, others the 5th. It was held unlucky
to begin any important work, and unpardonable to commit any
crime, on that day ; for the extraordinary reason that on that day
the fallen angels were beUeved to have been expelled from Heaven.
298
Laidhidh dubh air gach dath, ach cha laidli dath air
dubh.
Blach ivill lie on aivj colour, hut none other icill lie on
hlacJc.
See ' Cha chaochail '. It appears now that this old belief is
not correct, and that black will take more than one other dye,
such as brown and green.
Lair chaol-chasach agus each bonn-chasach.
A slender-legged mare, and a stout-legged horse.
Lmh ann an earball a' ghill.
Holding the jjledge hy the tail.
Lmh 'an ceann bo maoile.
Holding a hornless cow by the head.
Lmh d' athar 's do sheanar !
By the hand of your father and grandfather !
Properly, ' Air lmh,' &c. Martin in his Western Islands (2d
Ed., p. 120), says this form of adjuration was considered very
insulting. It would be more correct to say that it was an insult
to be thought capable of disregarding it.
Another form, 'Lmh d' athar 's do sheanar ort !' is used as a
threat ; and a story is told of its application by a blacksmith, who
strongly suspected that his wife's baby was a changeling, and
satisfactorily proved it. He came in one day exclaiming, 'An
sithean ri 'theine !' The Fairy is on fire ! on wliich the little imp,
thrown off his guard, cried out, 'O m' rd 's m' innean !' my
hammer and anvil ! The smith now .saw that the creature was
not only a Fairy, but a fellow-craftsman ; and taking him out to
the smithy, placed him on the anvil, and swinging his big hammer,
said, ' Gobha mi fhein, gobha m' athair, gobha mo sheanair ; 's
lmh d' athar 's do sheanar ort ! an t-ord mor !' Smith am I,
smith ivas my father, smith my grandfather ; thyfather^s and gravdfather's hand on thee ! the big hammer ! Before the hammer could
descend the little sprite vanished, and when the smith returned
home, he found his own true and pretty child sitting cosily at
the fireside !
Apparently another version of this saying is, ' Lmh a thart,
tart do sheanar dhut !'
Lmh fhad', agus cead a sineadh.
A long arm, and leave to stretch it.
Lamhan leinibb, agus goile seann-duine.
The hands of a child, and an old man's stomach.
299
Ln beil de bhiadli, 'us ln baile de nire.
A mouthful of meat, and a tow )i-(ov farin- )fd of shame.
Ln duirn de shgh, agus Ian baile de nire. Ir.
A mouthfu' o' meat may be a tounfu' o' shame. Scot.
Supposed to allude to a stolen egg.
Laogli buabhall-an-doiuis.
The calf of the door -stall.
Likely to be first attended tc.
Lasair creathaich 'us eigheach caillich.
Brushwood fame, and the cry of an old woman.
Both easily excited, and soon over.
Le muinneal na cuing a bhristeadh bheir thu misneach
do fhear na li-airce.
Breaking the neck of his yoke will encourage the man
in distress.
Leac 'us ir eadar sinn !
Stone and earth divide us !
Said of those whom one would wish to be separate from, even
in the grave.
Leagliaidh a' choir 'am bial an anfhainn.
Justice melts in the mouth of the feeble.
Leagbaidh am brn an t-anam bochd.
Sorrow melts the miserable.
300
'leathin,' which would better represent our pronunciation; while
the comparative degree of the same word is v/ritten, not 'leathne'
nor ' leithna,' but ' leithne '. For an explanation and discussion
of this rule, see Stewart's Gaelic Grammar, Part I., sect. 3 ; and
for citation of the authorities on both sides, see Bourke's Irish
Grammar, pp. 16-20.
Leig an t-earball leis a' chraicionn.
Let the tail go loith the hide.
Shegin goaill ny eairkyn marish y shea (seiche) The horns
must be taken with the hide. Manx.
Let the tail follow the skin. Let the horns gang wi' the hide.
Scot.
Leig do cheann far am faigh thu 's a mhaduinn e.
Lay your head where yon II find it in the morning.
Leig fad na teadhracli leis.
Let him have his tether's length.
Give him rope enough.
Leig troimh na meir e.
Let it through the fingers.
301
Lum an gradh far an sl' e.
Leap the dyke vjhere it is loicest.
Every ane loups the dyke where it's laighest. Scot.
Where the hedge is lowest, men may soonest over. Eng.
Waar de hegge het laagste is, wil elk er over. Dutch.
Ou la haie est plus basse on saute dessus. Fr.
Leum chasa tioram. A dry foot jump.
Lianar beam mhor le clachan beaga.
Great gaps Trmy he filled vjith small stones.
Lianar long le sligean.
302
Ludh an spioraid, 'dol timchioll iia drochaid.
Tlie way of the ghost, going round the hridge.
Macintosh's translation of this saying, which Armstrong also
gives, is, 'Go about the bridge as the ghost did'. The superstition here referred to is illustrated in Tarn o' Shanter, where
the infernal pursuers have no power to go beyond the keystone of the bridge. Another saying is, ' Thainig mi mu'n cuairt,
cleas a'bhchdain' / ccnne round about, the ghosfs trick; in reference to which the following story is told. A certain man was
haunted by a ghost, which met him wherever he went, so that he
became known in the country-side as ' Donull ^lor a' bhchdain '
Big Donald of the ghost. Weary of his life, he went away to
America, hoping there to be rid of his tormentor but in vain.
The very night of his arrival, the first person he met in the streets
was his old friend. He cried out in amazement, ' Ciamar a thainig
thus' 'an seo V Hov) did you come here ' Thainig mi mu'n cuairt,'
said the imperturbable ghost. Donald in disgust returned home.
Ludh an t-sneaclida 'tigliinn gun sireadh, gun iarraidh.
The way of the snow, coming unsought, unasked.
Al. Mar a thainig a' ghaillionn a's t-Fhoghar, gun sireadh, &c.
As the storm came in Autumn, unsought, (be.
Thig se gan iarraidh, mur thig a do-aimsir. Ir.
Luibh Chaluim-Chille, gun sireadh gun iarraidh, 's a
dhein Dia cha bhsaich mi 'nochd.
St. Columhas ivort, unsought, tmaskcd, and please God,
I ivon't die to-night.
Said by children on unexpectedly finding this flower, called
in English St. John's wort.
Lus Phra Iia, cuiridh e 'ghoimh as a' chnaimh.
Orey St. Patrick's wort (grundsel) will drive pain from
the hone.
M.
Ma bheir tliu Muile clhiom, cha toir thu rnuir 'us
tir dliiom.
You may take Mull from me, hut you can't take sea
and land from, me.
Ma bheir tliusa dhomhsa dealg fhraoich, gun dliatli
dhubh, gun ghaoid, bheir mise dhutsa buaile de chrodh
geal maol.
If you give me a heather pin ivithout Hack or flaw in
it, I'll give you a fold of white hornless cows.
Ma bhios taod agad, gheabh thu each.
If you have a halter, you'll get a horse.
Ma bhristeas bun-feann, bidh fios aig do cheann, co
dhorchaich an toll.
304
Ma chuaidh si chun a srotha, ni leis a dis-cled. Ir.
In a note on this in 2nd Ed. of Macintosh, it is said to be used
as an apology for a woman's going astray with a gentleman. Mr.
MacAdam in his note on the Ulster version, says it is applied to
such women, when they make a good marriage unexpectedly.
Ma cheannaicheas tu feil, ceannaich feil laoigh, 's
ma clieannaicheas tu iasg, ceannaich iasg sgait.
If you buy meat, buy veal, and if you buy fish, buy
shite.
This is said to mean that you will get a good bargain in weight,
as the bone in veal is soft, and that of skate is eatable.
Al. Ma tha iasg a dhith orm, cha 'n iasg leam sgat If I want
fish, skate is no fish to me.
The Highland prejudices against certain meat and fish are
sometimes very absurd. The skate is most unjustly undervalued
by the natives of the western coasts of Scotland.
Ma cheannaicheas tu rud air nach 'eil feum agad, 's
eudar dhut 'an ine ghoirid do ghoireas a reic.
If you buy what you don't need, you'll soon have to sell
what you do need.
Ma chuireas tu do lmh 'am bial a' mhadaidh, feum-
305
Ma dli'fhalbh an t-ian, faodaidli an nead a dliol 'n a
theine.
If the hird he flown, the nest may hum.
Ma dli'innseas duine na's leir dha, iunsidh e na's nar
dha.
If a man tell all he sees, he'll tell ivhat taill shame him.
Qiiien acedia por agujero, ve su duelo JVho jpeeps through a
hole will discover his dole. Span.
Ma giieabh duin' idir rud, 's e firionnach falbliaiteach.
If anijhody can get anything, it's the man that hcci)s
moving.
Ma mharblias tu beathadi Dihaoine, bidh ruith na
h-Aoin' ort am feasda.
If you hill a heast on Friday, the Friday fate vAll follow
you for ever.
306
Ma 's cel fidileireachd, tlia gu leir againn deth.
If fiddling he music, toe have enough of it.
This was said by the famous harper, Rory Morrison (See App.
II.), after having had to endure the performance of all his favourite
airs by a fiddler, whose instrument he naturally looked on as a
contemptible si^ueaking thing. ' Fidileireachd ' expresses more
contempt than the ordinary ' fidhleireachd '.
Ma 's dubh, ma 's odhar, ma 's donn, is toigh leis a'
ghobhair a meann.
Be it black, or dun, or hroivn, the goat loves her kid.
j\la 's dubh, ma 's odhar, n donn, is da meannan fin bheir a
gabhar a fonn. Ir.
307
above all food'. 'An e sin an lite ]' said the stupid young man
' Do you mean porridge?' The father, disgusted by his stupidity,
made the above reply, indicating that Marion was not for him.
Ma 's math an t-each, 's math a dhreach.
If the horse he good, his colour is good.
A bep liou marc'h mad. Breton.
A good horse cannot be of a bad colour. Eng.
Ma 's math leat do mholadh, faigh has ; ma's math leat
do chineadh, ps.
308
Ma. tha mise truagli, 's e mo tliruaighe INIac Aoidh !
If I am miserahle, woes me for Mackay 1
Ma tha mo chuid airgid anns a'chapuU, thig e dhachaidh uair-eigin.
If my money is in the mare, it toill come home some day.
]\Ia tlia thii coma, dean comaidh ris a' mhuic.
If you don't care, go and share with the soio.
Every man to his taste, as the man said when he kissed his
cow. Eng., Scot.
Ma tha thusa na d' fhear-ealaidh, duinneamaid annas
do limhe.
If you are a man of skill, let its hear your master-piece.
Ma theid gus an teid, theid fear an t-sior-ghalair.
Whoever goes or does not go, the man of long disease
vnll.
]\Ia tha 'n long briste. cha 'n 'eil a' chreag sln.
If the shij) he broken, the rock is not ivhole.
Ma their mi fhein ' Mach thu!' ri m' ch, their a' h-uile
fear e.
If I say ' Get out!' to my dog, everybody unll say it.
Ma thuiteas clach leis a' ghleann, 's ann 's a' chrn a
stadas i.
If a stone fall doivn the glen, it's in the cairn it tvill
stojj.
Ma thuiteann cloch le fnaidh (slope), is annsa g-crnan a
stadaidh si. Ir.
Another case of ' like to like '.
Mac Artair Srath-churra o bhun an stoc fhearna.
Mac Arthur of Strachur, from the root of the odder.
Strachur, on Loch Fyne, is said to have been the original seat
of the Mac Arthurs.
Mac bantraich aig am bi crodh,
Searrach seann-lrach 'an greigh,
Madadh muilleir aig am bi min,
Triir a 's meanmuaich' air bitk
The son of a widow rich in coivs.
The foal of an old mare in a herd,
309
Mac lUeathain Loch-a-Buidhe, ceann-nidlie nam mirleacli.
MacLaine of Loch Buy, the chieftain of thieves.
This epithet is shared with another great Highland chief,.
Camaronach bhog an ime, ceann-cinnidh nam mirleach.
Mac-Leid no 'n t-airgiod. MacLeod or the money.
MacLeod of MacLeod was once on a visit to Edinburgh, and
was suddenly called away, learig his servant behind him, without any money. The servant now found that nothing but
MacLeod's note, or hard cash, would avail him anywhere.
Mac
Al.
Mab
Sic
310
Mar a blia gille mor nam hram cha 'n flmirich e
thall no bhos.
Like the great windy lad he won't stay there or here.
Mar a bha 'n t-each ban 'an clorus a' mlmilinn a'
smaoineachadli tuilleadh 's a bha e 'g rdh.
Like the white horse at the mill-door, thinJcing more
than he said.
Al. Mar a bha 'n gamhainn 's an dorus, a' feitlieamh 's ag
eisdeachd Like the stirk at the door, waitiiig and listening.
Mar a b' umhail gu 'm b' fhior.
As foreseen, so has been.
Mar a chireas duine a leabaidh, 's ann a laidheas e.
As a man snakes his bed, so he must lie.
As you make your bed, so you must lie on it. Eng., Scot.
Comma on fait son lit, on se couclie. Fr.
Quien mala cama liace, en ella se yace. jSjjart.
Som man reder til, saa ligger man. Dan.
Mar a chaitheas duine a blieatha, bheir e breith air a
choimhearsnach.
As a man leads his life, so he judges his neighbour.
Mar a' mhil air bhrr nan cuiseag.
Like honey on the top of the stalks.
Mar a's irde theid an caiman, 's ann a's dch' an
t-seobhag breith air.
The higher the dove goes, the likelier is tlie hawk to
catch it.
Mar a 's f haide 'bhios sinn gu math, 's ann a's giorraid
a bhios sinn gu h-olc.
The longer we are well, the shorter will our illness be.
Mar a's fhearr iad, cha'n ann a's buain' iad.
The better they are, they live not the longer.
God takes the good, too good on earth to stay,
And leaves the bad, too bad to take away.
Mar a 's gainn' am biadh, 's ann a 's fial' a roinn.
Tlie scarcer the food, the onore bounty to share it.
Mar a's luaithe a' ghaillionn 's ann a's cruaidhe
'ghaillionn.
The swifter the storm, the stronger it is.
311
Mar a 's luglia 'theirear, 's ann a 's fhiisa leigheas.
The least said, the soonest mended. Eng.
Mar a *s mo gheibh an c, 's ann a 's mo a dli' iarras e.
The more the dog gets, the more he desires.
Mar a 's sine 'm boc, 's ann a's cruaidhe 'n adharc.
The older the inick, the harder his horn.
Mar a's truime 'n uallach, 's ann a's teinn' an criosguailne ; mar a's teinn' an crios-guailne, 's ann a's luaithe
'bhristeas.
The heavier the load, the tighter the shoulder-strap ; the
tigther the shoidder -strap, the nearer to Ireaicing.
Mar a theid an t-ian o dhuilleag gu duilleag, theid a'
mianan o dhuine gu duine.
As the bird goes from leaf to leaf, the yaivn goes from
man to man.
Al. Theid a' mianan, &c., mar 'theid an t-ianan o dhoire gu
doire.
Mar a tlmiteas a' chraobh, 's ann a laidlieas i.
As the tree falls, so shall it lie.
In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. EccL. xi. 3.
Mar an crodli a' dol do'n bhuaile, cuid roniham 's cuid
'am dheigh.
Like the cattle going to the fold, some hefore me, some
behind me.
Mar astar doill 'an cabaraich,
ISTo imeachd air garbh-leacaunan,
]\Iar thatlminn gadhair 'an gleann fas,
Tha teagasg dha na h-aineolaich.
Like blind mam going through a vjood.
Or walking on rough rocky slopes,
Or bark of hound in desert glen,
Ls teaching to the ignorant.
Ni '1 acht tafan gadhair a n-gleann glas, a bheith tagradh le
cionn gan eolus. Ir.
Mar cho-shogan ris a' cliuideachda, mar a chaidli an
luid a dhannsa.
For mirth to the company, as the slattern vjent to dance.
312
Mnr dean mi spain, millidh mi adharc.
Til make a spoon, or spoil a horn.
He'll mak' a spune, or spoil a horn. Scot.
Mar
Mar
Mar
Tha
313
Mar lus an Dmlmuich, gun mhath, gun dolaidh.
Like the Jierh plucked on Sunday, it does neitJier good
nor ill.
Mar mliart caol a tigli'n gu baile, tlia cabbanach na
maiclne Earraicb.
Like a lean coio coining to a farm, is the daivn of a
Spring morning.
Mar Oisean an cligb na Finne.
Like Ossian after the Feinne.
The last of his race.
Mar tbatbunn coin ris an re.
Like dog's harking at the moon.
Mur madadh a' tathfun an-aghaidh na gealaighe. Jr.
Mar tbig triubbas do 'n mbviic.
As trews become a soiv.
Like a sow playing on a trump. Scot,
Marbbaidb drocb ainm na coin.
A had name kills dogs.
Give a dog an ill name and hang him. Eng., Scot.
Marbb-pbaisg ort ! Death-ivrapping he on thee J
Ma's til 'tb' ann, 's tu 'cbaidb as.
314
]\Iinearaich bhog a' bhruthaist'.
The soft brose Menzieses.
'Bruthaist' is the original of the 'kale brose o' auld Scotland,'
oatmeal with boiling water poured on it, much used formerly
in the Menzies district in Perthshire, ' Apunn nam Minearach '.
A childish Fortingall rhyme is,
Bruthaiste bog,
Ga shuathadh le stob,
Ga chur ann an gob
Nam Minearach.
Mhealladh e 'n t-ubh bho 'n cliorra-glilais, ged bhiodh
a da shil ag coimhead air.
He ivoulcl cheat the heron of her egg, though her two eyes
loere fixed on him.
Ghoideadh se an ubh o'n chorr, a's a chorr fin fa dheireadh.
Ir.
315
Miann an duine lochdaich, each iiile a bhi contraclid.
The wicked man's desire, mischief to all others.
Malus malum viilt, ut sit sibi similis. Lat.
Miann de mliianntan an iarrsalaich, cuibhrionn mlior
de 'n bheagan.
The wish above luishes of the cotctous, a great share of
the little.
Miann mn mac, miann fir feachd ;
Miann eich aonach, miann coin sneachd ;
Miann b braon, miann caora teas ;
316
Millidh aon tarrang an t-each, 's millidli aon each an
t-seisreach.
One nail tvill spoil the horse, and one horse spoil the
team.
Al. 'crann' for 'seisreach'.
For want of a nail the shoe is lost ; for want of a shoe the horse
is lost ; for want of a horse the rider is lost. Eng.
Por un punto se pierde un zapato. Simn.
Millidh bo bnaile, 's buairidh bean baile.
One cow will spoil a fold, and one looman luill lead
astray a town.
317
^ros roimh gach ridh a clioltas.
A month before each season, its a'ppearance comes.
Apparently this is a correct observation.
Mir 'am bial na beiste. A hitefor the monster's mouth.
Ca&t a bane i' the deil's teeth. Scot.
318
Mo chuid fliein, mo bheau fhein, 'us 'tiugainn daeliaidh/ tri faclan a 's blaisde 'th' ami.
My own 'pro'perty , my own wife, and ' come home , three
of the sweetest of words.
Al. Na trl rudan a's mllse 'th' ann mo cliuid fliein, &c.
Al. M' ulaidh, m' ulaidh ! mo chuid I'hein.
Mxj treasure, my treasure ! my oim goods.
319
Moladh na maraig a fiachainn.
The praise of the pudding is tasting it.
Cruthughadh na putoige a h-ithe The proof of the pudding is
eating it. Ir.
The pruif o' a puddin' 's the preein' o't. Scot.
Moladh mairbh. TJie praise of the dead.
De mortuis nil nisi bonum. Lat.
Moladh na daoidheachd. Praise from the worthless.
Molaidh an t-each math e fhin.
T/ie good horse commends himself.
]\Iollachd an fhir a ghoid air an fhear a dh' ionndrain
' An lmh a rinn gun dean a rithis !'
The curse of the thief against the man that missed his
ovM ' The hand that did it ivill do it again I '
Mr a muigh, 's beag a's tigh.
Great abroad, small at home.
M6r bhuam, 'iis beag agam.
Much thought of until got.
Mor orm, 'us beag agam.
Mighty to me, but little esteemed.
Said of an offensively patronizing but not superior person.
Moran gleogaireachd, 'us beagau gieidhidh.
Much talk and little done.
Moran sgalan, 's beagan oUainn, mu'n dubhairt Muisein
's e 'lomaht na muice.
Gi^eat erg and little wool, as the Devil said whe7i he
sheared the sow.
Gieat cry and little wool, quoth the Devil when he sheared his
hogs. Eng.
Moran sliligean 's beagan bhiadhan.
320
Mu'n cailleadh e buileach an t-iteach, bheireadh an
t-ian a bliiodh glic ris an t-snmh.
The ivise hinl would take to swimming hefore he lost the
]J0K-cr of flying.
Mullach do bhaistidh. The top of your laptism.
The forehead.
Mur b'e an reodhadh, threabliteadli gach tir.
But for the frost, all lands might he tilled.
Mur b'e eagal an da mhail, bheireadh Tiridhe an da
bhrr.
But for fear of douUe rent, Tiree icould yield a douUe crop.
Very suggestive, and not confined to Tiree.
Mur bhiodh ' Mur b'e,' cha bhiodh dume be.
But for ' Were it not,' no man would he alive.
Si ce n' etait le 'Si' et 'Mais,' nous serious tous riches
jamais. Fr.
If ' Ifs ' an' ' Aus ' were pots and pans, where wud be the
tinklers Scot.
Mur bhiodh na suidheachan, thmteadh na tighean.
But for the roof -supports, the houses would fall.
This is used as a retort when some stupid ' If it weren't ' is
mentioned.
Mur bi thu ris an olc, na bi coltach ris.
If you are not doing ill, don't look like it.
Abstain from all appearance of evil. St. Paul.
Mur biodh ' Mur-bhith ' marbh, 's fhada bho'n a
thinig e.
If ' IVeix it not' were not dead, he would have come
long ago.
Mur 'eil thu air son goid mo chil, na tig air sgath
mo lios.
321
Mur biodh mu 'n phoit ach Mac Sheoc 's an liadh
If there loerc none about the pot hut Jock's son and the
ladle
An aposiopesis. The omitted conclusion is, ' I should fare
better then '.
Mur biodh tu 'm sheomar clia'n fhaiceadh tu mo chuid.
If you hadn't been in my chamber you wouldn't have
seen my goods.
This reminds one of Posthumus and lachimo in Gymbeline.
Mur cluinneadh tu sin cha'n abradh tu e.
If you hadn't heard that, you wouldn't have said it.
Mur comas dut teumadh, na risg do dheudach.
If you cannot bite, don't show your teeth.
Na taisbean do fhiacal, 's an ait nach d-tig leat greim a l)haint
a mach. Ir.
Ne'er shaw yir teeth, unless ye can bite. Scot.
Mur dean e lionn, millidh e braich.
If he can't make ale, he'll spoil malt.
Same as making a spoon or spoiling a horn.
Mur 'eil e 'crdadh riut, cha 'n 'eil e psda riut.
If he doesn't please you, he is not married to you.
Al. Mur 'eil mi, &c.
N.
Na abair acli beag 's abair gu math e.
Say hut little, and my it well.
Na abair ' diug ' ris an ian gus an tig e as an ubli.
Don't say ' chuck' to the chick till it he out of the egg.
Al. Na abair big.
Count not your chickens before they be hatched. Eng.
Non far conto dell' novo non ancor nato. Ital.
Na abair do shean-fliacal gus an toir thu do long gu
caladh.
Dot quote your 2>T0verh till you hring your ship to
port.
Na irearah a chaoidh an t-iasg gus an tig e as a'
inhuir.
Never count the fish till they come out of the sea.
Na beannuigh an t-iasg go d-tiocaidh se a d-tir. Ir.
Na bi 'bogadh do liob 's an lite nach l thu.
Don't he dipping your lip in the porridge you sup not.
323
Na buail ach mar a bhiadhas tu.
Bo7i!t strike hut as you feed.
Strike as ye feed, and that's but soberly. Scot.
' A reproof,' says Kelly, ' to them that correct those over whom
they have no power.'
Na caill am mgh air a' chluain.
Lose not the field for the meadoiv.
Na creid an droch sgeul gus an dearbhar i.
Believe Twt the had rejport till it he proved.
Na creid gu'r h-aithne dhut duine, gus an roinn sibh
creach.
Dont suppose that you know a man till you conie to
divide a sjooil v:ith him.
A very shrewd observation, applicable eq.ually in the 19th century, whether to potentates or private persons.
Na cuir a mach an t-uisge salach. gus an toir thu 's tigli
an t-uisge glan.
Dont throvj the dirty water out till you hriny in the
clean.
Na cuir an t-uisge salach a mach go d-tiubraidh tu an t-uisge
glan a steach. Ir.
Cast na oot the dowed water till ye get the clean. jScoi.
Cast not out thy foul water till thou hast clean. Eng.
Man muss unreines Wasser nich eber wegiessen bis man reines
hat. Germ.
Na cuir do chorran gun cliead ann an gead fir eile.
Put not your sickle without leave into another mans
corn-patch.
Al. gart fir eile another man's standing corn.
Na cuir do chorran a n-gort gan iarraidh. Ir.
Na cuir do lmh eadar a' chlach 's a' sgrath.
Don't put your hand 'tiuixt the stone ami the turf.
Na cuir do spia 'an cl nach buia dut.
Dont put your spoon in kail that's not yours.
Al. Na loisg do theanga 'an cl fir eile.
Dinna scaud yir mou' wi' ither folk's kail. Scot.
Na cuir 'n am ruith le leathad mi,
Na greas a' direadh bruthaich mi,
'S na caomhain air a' chmhnard mi.
324
Don't make me run down a decline,
Don't urge me going wp a hill,
But spare me not on level ground.
Up hill spare me ;
Down hill bear me ;
Plain way spare me not ;
Let me not drink when I'm hot. Scot.
Excellent advice from a horse to his rider or driver.
Na cumain blieag a' seladh, 's na luingeas mhor a'
sioladh.
Tlie little cogs sailing and the big ships sinking.
See ' Is trie a bha na loingis '.
Na dean bailc air iomaire math treabhaidli.
Make no balk in good plough-land.
Make not balks of good ground. Eng.
Mak nae banks in guid bear-land. Scot.
See ' Is fhearr leum-iochd '.
Na dean tir air na 's leat ; an ni nacli leat clia 'n e
dli'flioghnas dut.
Despise not what is your own; nothing else toUl suffice you.
Lit. What is not your own will not be suiiicient for you,
Na dean uaill a cuid duine eile.
Boast not of another's means.
Na deanadh duine tirse, an earalas nach faigli e
cuimse.
Let no man despond of hitting the mark.
325
Dihaoine cha 'n 'eil e buadhach,
'S cha dual dut falbh a mireach,
Go not 2cpo7i Monday,
Stir not wpon Tuesday,
Wednesday is nervous,
Thursday is dilatory,
Friday is not fortunate,
And 'tis not right for thee to go to-morrow.
This is called ' Triall a' bhoclaich as a tliigh,' a wife's reasons
for not letting her husband go away. Another version of the first
part is,
Siubhal Dmhnnich na toir bhuat,
Diluain na eirich moch,
lom-sgaradh Dimirt,
Leig seachad na tri lithean sin.
ISTa feann am fiadh giis am faigh thu e.
Don't sJcin the deer till you get it.
First catch your hare. Mrs. Meg Dods.
N"a gabh te air bith mar mhnaoi, ach t air am bi
athais agad.
Take no woman for a wife in ivhom you cannot find a
flaw.
Na gabh bean gan locht Take no faultless wife. Ir.
This is an admirable saying, which I have not found in any
other language. The Irish version is more laconic.
He is lifeless that is faultless. Eng.
Na gearr do sgrnan le d' tbeanga fhein.
Cut not thy throat ivith thine oivn tongue.
Take heed that thy tongue strike not thy neck. Arab.
Na gill do gliis cha gheill gis dhut.
Don't give in to spells tJiey loon't give in to you.
326
He is master of himself who keeps his secret from his friend.-Arab.
Open not thine heart to every man. Simch, VIII., 19.
Que ta chemise ne sache ta guise. Fr.
Di' all' amico il tuo segreto, e ti terra il pie sul collo. Ital.
A quien dices tu puridad, a ese das ru libertad. Sjum.
Na ith am bonnach 'tlia briste, 's iia brist am bonnacli
'tha si an.
Don't eat the broken bannock, nor break the whole one.
A story is told of a hungry servant-maid to whom her mistress
gave the above order, when the girl told her, in the harvest field,
that she was fainting for hunger. The mistress said,
Theirig dhachaidh, 's ith do shth,
Na ith am bonnach 'tha briste, &c.
Go home, and eat your Jill,
Eat not the bannock that's broken, d:c.
The girl thought she was justified in evading this prohibition, liy
taking enough to appease her hunger out of the centre of the
whole bannock.
Na ith 's na ob cuid an leinibh bhig.
Neither eat nor refuse the child's lit.
Very good manners.
Na'm b'e 'n diugh an d !
Had to-day been yesterday ! .
How often is this thought felt.
Na'm b' Eileineacli mi gu'm b' Ileacli mi ; 's na'm b'
Ileach mi, bu Eannach mi.
Were I an Islander I should be an Isloy 7nan ; and
vjcre I an Islay onan, I should be a Rinns man.
327
Na'm biodh an t-earball na bu rigline, bliiodh a'
sgialachd ua b' fhaide.
Had the tail been tougher, the tale would have been longer.
This is the abrupt wind-up of a story, of which there are
various versions, where the whole depends on the strength of the
animal's tail, which gave way at the critical moment. See
Campbell's JVest Highl. Tales, II. 477. The English admits of a
play on words, which is not in the Gaelic.
Na'rn biodh cugainn aig a' chat, 's trie a rachadh e g' a
feiichainn.
If the cat had standing milk, she would often go to try it.
See ' Cha tig ce '.
Na'm biodh mo ch cho olc ionnsachadh riut, b'e 'n
ciad rud a dheauainn a chrochadh.
If my dog were as ill-bred as you, the first thing I
should do tvoiild be to hang him.
If I had a dog as daft, I wud shoot him. Scot.
Na'n biodh na coin air do dhiot itheadh, 's air falbh le
d' shiiipeir, cha bhiodh tu cho mear.
If the dogs had eaten your dinner, and run off with
your supper, you would not be so merry,
Na'm bu bhe bu mhithich.
If cdive, 'tivas high time.
Said of one who appears, or does a thing, after long expecta-
328
Na'ni bu toigli leat mi fhein cha bhuaileadh tu mo ch.
If you liked myself, you would not strike my dog.
See ' Am fear a bhuaileadh '.
Love me, love my dog. Eng.
He that strikes my dog wud strike mysel', if he daur'd. Scot.
Qui aime Bertrand, aime son chien. Fr.
Chi ama me, ama il mio cano. Ital.
Na'm bu toigh leat mi, cha bu trom leat mi.
If you liked me, you loould not think me heavy.
Na'm bu tu Brian, b'rd a ghoireadh tu.
Were you Brian, you would cry out loudly.
Na'm faigheamaid an t-im a's t-Earrach,
'Us uachdar a' bhainne a's t-Samhradh,
'S ann an sin a bliiomaid fallain,
'S cha bliiomaid falamh de dh' annlann.
If we could get butter in SjJring, and. cream in Summer,
it's then %ve should he healthy, and well off for kitchen.
A Highland housewife's sarcasm on unreasonable men.
Na'm faighteadh ciad sagart gun 'bhi sanntach ;
Ciad tillear gun 'blii sunntach ;
Ciad griasaich' gun 'bhi briagach ;
Ciad figheadair gun 'bhi bradach ;
Ciad gobha gun 'bhi piteach ;
'Us ciad cailleach nach robh riamh air cheilidh ;
Chuireadh iad an crn air an righ gun aon bhuille.
329
Na mbealam mo shlinte !
May I forfeit my health (or salvation) !
A form of abjuration.
Na 'n deanadh mo lmh mar a dh' iarradh mo shil !
If my hand could do as my eye ivould desire !
This might be the utterance of grasping ambition, but a better
interpretation makes it the yearning of a true artist towards his
ideal.
Na 'n ruigeadh an daingeann an ceart.
If the strong coidd attain the just.
Which it seldom does.
Na 'n sealladh c air comain.
If a dog could hut see his obligation.
Al. Cha sheall c air comain. Cha chuimhnich cii comain.
None of these sayings do justice to the dog, which is a grateful
animal.
ISTa 'n tugadh aitlireachas air ais, cha deanadh neach
na b' aithreach leis.
If repentance could restore, none would make his own
heart sore.
Na ni am bodach le 'chrgan, millidh e le 'spgan.
What the carl does with his hands he spoils with his feet.
See ' An rud a ni '.
Na phiuthair-mthar do'n t-sluagh.
A mother s sister to the people.
A warm saying, applied to a very kind friend of the peasantry.
Na ps a's t-Fhoghar,
'S dean foighidinn 's a' Gheamhradh,
Bidh tu cabhagach a's t-Earrach,
'S bidh gainn' air aran a's t-Samhradh,
Marry not in Autumn,
And have patience in Winter,
In Spring thou wilt he busy,
And in Summer bread will be scarce.
A bachelor's excuses for delaying marriage.
Na sia buadhan a bha cumail suas na Fnne, Agh
Fhinn, lmh Ghoill, bras-bhuillean Oscair, iomairt
ealamh Oisein, ruith chruaidh Chaoilte, agus suidheachadh Chonain air a' chath.
The six virtues that kept up the Fcinne, FingaVs fortune, Gaul's hand, Oscars impetuous strokes, Ossian's deft
330
play, Coilt's hard ninning, and Conan's planning of the
haitlc.
x^a seid sop nach urrainn clut fliin a chuir as.
Kindle not afire lohich yon carit put out.
Lit. a wisp.
Na sin do chasan na 's fhaide na theid d' aodach.
Stretch not your feet further than the clothes will go.
See ' Cha shin cluine '.
Stretch your legs according to your coverlet. Eng.
Man muss sich strecken nach den Decken. Germ.
Steek uw voeten niet verder dan uw bed reikt. Dutch.
Cada uno estiende la pierna como tiene la cubierta. S;pan,
Na sir 's na seachain an cath.
Nor seek nor shun the fight.
AL, Na seachain an iorghuill 's na h-iarr i.
Neither shun the strife nor seek it.
331
ISTa tarruing mi gun aobhar, 's na pill mi gun chliii.
Draw me not without cause, nor return vie ivithout
honour.
An inscription for a sword.
Na tilg dhiot an sean aodach gus am faigh tliu 'n
t-aodach r.
Cast not the old clothes till you (jet the neiv,
Na tog mi gus
Don't lift me
s tog me go
Dinna lift me
an tuit mL
till I fall,
d-tuitidh me. Ir.
before I fa' Scot.
332
ISTa tri nidan a's daoire 'th' ann : uibliean cliearc, feil
mhuc, glir chailleach.
The three dearest of things , hen-eggs, j)oriz, and dd
women's praise.
Na triir mharbh a 's bidh'clie air bitli, leanamh
beag, breac geal, 'us coileach-dubh.
The three prettiest dead : a little child, a salmon, and
a hlack-eoeh.
Ndur circe, 's ndur muice, 's ndur innatha
gabhaidh iad an rathad fheiu.
Tiie nature of a hen, of a sow, and of a tooman they
take their own way.
Swine, women, and bees, cannot be turned. Eng.
333
in London, he heard this proverb nialiciously cited by one of his
guests. 'Ay,' said he, 'and wise men mak proverbs, and fules
repeat them.'
Ni an imricb thric an irneis lorn.
Frequent Jiitting hares the furnishing.
See ' Eug 'us imrieh '.
334
Ni igear leisg bodach brisg.
A lazy youth will make a brisk old man.
M robli cta dubh air cealgaire, no cta dearg air
cladhaire !
No Hack coat cover hyiwcrite, nor red coat a coward!
A toast for Clergy and Army.
Ni sid feum, 'n uair a ni am poca dubh a chaidh leis
an amhainn.
That will he of use, ichen the black bag is that went
with the stream,.
Ni tliu gire 'n uair a gheabh tliu min.
You'll smile ivhen you get meal.
This is said to be part of a verse composed by John Morrison of
Bragar to his wife, who was somewhat shrewish
Ni thu gire 'n uair 'gheibh thu min ;
Is misde do ghean a blii gun bhiadh ;
'Us b' fhearr learn fhein na 'n t-each dearg,
Nach tigeadh fearg ort-sa riamh.
See Proc. of Scot. Soc. of AiiL, Vol. XII., p. 530.
Nigh' a' mhadaidh air a mhthair.
The dog's ivashing of his dam.
Nighean an droch mhairt, 's ogha 'mhairt mhath.
The daughter of the bad cow, the grand-child of thr
good one.
The meaning probably is, that a good ancestry is more important than a good mother.
Nigheanan a' feadaireachd 'us cearcan a' glaodhaich.
Girls whistling and hens crovnng.
Two things considered unnatural. See ' Feadaireachd '.
Nimh gun neart, nimh na cuileig, a bheir fuil air
a' chraicionn.
Pithless poison, the fly s bite, that bleeds but the skin.
The Arabic saying is wiser, ' Despise not a weak man in his
conversation, for the gnat pierces the lion's eye '.
Nitear earn mor de chlachaibh beaga.
A big cairn is made of little stones.
Nollaig an diugh, 's Bealltainn am mireach.
o.
Obair an doill.
The work of the hlind.
Obair gun bhuanuachd, a' cur sil ann an talamh gun
todhar.
Profitless ivorh, sowing in unmanured ground.
Obair gun iarraidh, clia deaunainn do cliliamhuinn
no 'charaid i.
Work uimsked, I woidd not do for son-in-laio or
relative.
Obair gun iarraidh, is e 'fiach a lochd.
Work tinasked, the letter the worse.
Obbyr dyn (gun) oardagh, obbyr dyn booise (hhuidluachas).
Manx.
Obair 'us atb-obair. Work and work again.
Work hastily or ill done.
Oidhcb' am muigb, 'us oidhch' a's tigh,
Math na caorach, 's olc an eich.
In to-night, out to-morroio,
Good for sheep, hut horse's sorrow.
Oiee mooie, as oiee elley sthie,
01k son cabbil, agh son kirree mie. Manx.
Oidhche Shamhna, theirear gamhna ris na laoigh ;
Oidhch Fheill-Eoin theirear aighean ris na gamlma.
On Halloween the calf is called a stirk ;
On St. Johns eve the stirk is called a heifer.
Oidhche Challuinn, bu math cuilionn 'us calltuinn a
bhi 'bualadh a cheile.
On Hogmanay-Night it were good that holly and hazel
shoidd he striking each other.
A windy night was considered a good sign of the season.
336
01 Mhurchaidh 'us Fhearchair; dithis aig Murchadh,
's aig Fearchar a h-aon.
Murdoch and Farq_uhars drinking ; two /o Murdoch,
one to Farquhar.
01c mu 'n fhrdaich, 'us math mu 'n rathad mhor.
Bad at home, good abroad.
01c na cuise gu deireadh.
Leave the disagreeable part of the case to the last.
01c no math mo bhriogais fheiu, 's i 's fhearr dhomhsa.
Be viy breeches good or bad, my own are the best for me.
01c no 'mhath le fear 'g a h-iarraidh, thig i niar 'an
digh an uisge.
Let it please a man or no, after rain from ivest 'twill
blow.
See ' Gaoth niar '.
Onfhadh na poite bige.
The raging of the little 'pot.
When the pat's fu' it will boil ower. Scot,
Oran na b maoile ' tha mi ullamh dhiot.'
The song of the hornless cow ' / am done with you.'
Oran na circe beadaidh.
Tlie song of the pert hen.
p.
Pidliear e, Diluain mall.
It ivill be paid on tardy Monday.
Same as Nevermas.
Pidhidh a' ghaoth niar a' giiaotli near am bliadbna
fliathast.
The ivest wind will pay the east ivind yet this year.
Pidhidli am feaman am fiarach.
338
Piseacli mliath ort !
Good luck to thee !
Al. Biiaidh 'us piseach ort ! Success and luck to thee !
The latter is a very favourite expression of good wishes.
Pibair an aon pliuirt.
The j^-z^^c?' of the one tune.
Al. Pibair an aona chuir The one-har piper.
It appears that at one time there were professing pipers so
miserably furnished that they could play only the first bar of a
tune, the repetition of which was too much for the most patient
human ears. When the ancient order of Bards fell into disrepute, they used to go about the country in bands, living as best
they could. Once a band of them came to a farmer's house in
Islay, wliere they were hospitably entertained for a week, got
plenty of dry bread, and a piper to play to them his one tune.
He happened to be of the one-bar species, and when the bardic
company departed, their leader (^ Ceann-stecaire ') made the following impromjitu :
R.
Eacliadli e troimh tlioll tora gu ni fnaotainn.
He ivould go through an auger-hole to get anything.
Eachainn a thaomaclh ua fairge dha na'n iarradh e
orm.
/ loovM go to drain the sea for him, if he asked me.
Eathad cam thun a' cliaisteil.
A roundabout way to the castle.
Eatliad muilinn Drongaidh.
The way to the mill of Dron.
Al. Rathad mr leathan reidh, rathad muilinn D. A broad
level highway, &c.
340
Eiglmeas an laoigh fliirinn.
The toughness of the lull-calf.
Einn e baotliaire dhetb.
He made a fool of him.
Einn e coileach-dubli dhetli.
He made a black-cock of him.
He shot him dead.
This suggests the saying of the bard Iain L6m, when he was
shown a quantity of black-cocks' heads at Inveraray, and asked, if
he had ever seen so many ? ' Yes,' he said, ' I saw more of them
at Inverlochy' ; alluding to the slaughter of the Campbells at the
battle there.
Al. Rinn e biadh ian deth He made birds' food of him.
Al. Rinn e pasgadh na piob air He doubled him up like a
bagpipe.
Einn e faraiche de'n fharaiche.
He made a plug of the plug-driver.
Driving out a plug with another, and that other sticking in its
place.
Einn e luath 'us deargannan ann.
He made ashes and fleas there.
I.e., he staid there long enough.
Einneadh air son toil na cuideachd e, mar 'chaidh an
tillear do Pheairt.
It was done to please the company, as the tailor went
to Perth,
Eogliainn de 'n chuid a's miosa.
Choice of the worse part.
Eoghainn de 'n chuid nach fhaigh e,
Choice of what he will not get.
Eoinn a' mhic ri 'mlithair.
The son's sharing loith his mother
Eoinn mic 'us athar.
The sharing of father and son.
Eoinn Mhic Cmislig air na crbain.
MacCruslick's dividing of the crabs.
He put the contents of the best-looking ones into the worstlooking ones, which he afterwards got for himself.
Eoinn na mthar ris a nighinn.
The mother's sharing with her daughter.
341
Euaig coilich air dnan.
Putting a cock on a dunghill to flights
Piud-eigin 'an ait an earchailL
Something in place of loss.
Eug bo laogh dha. A cow has home him a calf.
Eug iasg orm. A fish has caught inc.
Said by a person wlieii seized with a fit of sickness. i^oU ly
Macintosh. This saying is unintelligible, and not in use.
Eughadh an leiuibh Ilich, rugliadh an teine.
The bloom of the May child, tlie bloom of the fire.
The ' leanabh Ileach ' was a remarkable boy, with a hard stepmother, who fed him badly, and heated his face at the fire, when
she wished to pass him off as a well-fed ruddy child. See Cuairtear, 1842, p. 79.
Eughadh shuas an am laidhe,
Dh' eireadh Fionn nioch 's a' mhaduinn ;
Eughadh shuas 's a'mhoch mhaduinn,
Dheanadh Fionn an ath-chadal.
With a rosy shy at bed-time,
Fingal woidd rise early.
With a rosy sky at davm.
He would take another sleep.
My ta 'n ghrian jiarg tra giree teh, foddee shin jerkal rish
fliaghey If the sun rises 'hot aiid red, we may look for a wetting.
Manx.
When it is evening ye say, ' It will be fair weather, for the
sky is red,' and in the morning, ' It will be foul weather to-day,
for the sky is red and lo^vring '. Matth. xvi., 2, 3.
Evening red and morning gray
Are sure signs of a fair day ;
Evening gray and morning red,
Sends the poor shepherd home wet to his bed. Eng.
E'ening red and morning gray.
The taikens o' a bonny day ;
E'ening gray and morning red,
Put on yir hat or ye'll weet yir head. Scot.
Euigidh an ro-ghiullachd air an ro-ghalar.
The best of nursing may overcome the worst disease.
Euigidh dil dorus.
Delay vjill arrive at the door.
342
Euigidh each mall muileann, acli feiimaidh fear
fuireach a bhristeas a chas.
A slovj horse will reach the mill, hut the horse that
breaks his leg must lie still.
At. ach bristiclh each tuisleach a cbas but a stumbling horse
will break his leg.
Kisgidh br brghad.
TJie belly ivill bare the breast.
Y bol a bil y cefn. Welsh.
Your belly will never let your back be warm. Eng.
The back and the belly hands ilka ane busy. Scot.
Eisgeadh e 'thigh fhein a thubhadh tigh a
choimhearsnaich.
He would strip his own house to thatch his neighboitrs.
Euith choin an da fheidh.
The runniny of the clog that chases tvjo deer.
Losing both. See ' Cii an da iTieidh '.
Euith na caorach caoile le leathad.
The lean sheep's run doicn the slope.
Rhuthr enderig o'r allt The run of the steer from the hill. Welsh.
Euithidh an taigeis fhein le bruthaich,
Eveii a haggis will run down-hill.
Strange to say, this does not occur in any of the collections of
Scottish Proverbs ; but it is quoted, with his usual wonderful
felicity, by Sir Walter Scott. On the eve of Prestonpans, Evan
Dhu M'Combich (Waverley, ch. xlvi.) is made to say, 'Even a
haggis, God bless her ! could charge down-hill '.
Euithinn air bhrr an uisge dha.
/ would rim on the water for him.
Eiin caillich gu'n trod i.
A crones secret (or delight) is to scold.
Run caillighe a' sgollaireacht (scolding). Ir.
En do chridhe ah- do chuisle !
3Tay your pulse beat as your heart looidcl wish !
This is a very pretty saying.
s.
Sac trom air a' chois chaoil.
A heavy load mi the shmder leg.
A burden imposed on a child.
344
Saoilidh am fear a bhios 'n a thmli gur e fhein a 's
fheaiT lmh air a' stiiiir.
The looker-on thinks himself the best steersman.
De beste stuur-lieden (])ilots) zijn aan land. Dutch.
Saoilidh an duin' air mhisg gu'm bi a' li-uile duin' air
mhisg ach e fhein.
The drunk man thinks all drunk hut himself.
Saoilidh bradaidh nam bruach gur gadaichean uile each.
345
Seachd bolla 'slmeachda Gearrain,
'Dol a's tigh throimh aon toll torra.
346
Std agiis sid an gual, ach sid gu ruigliinn cruaidh
an sop ; sin mar theid an tein' a lasadh.
Blow and Mow again the coal, hut a long, hard hloiv to
the vnsp ; so the fire will lighted he.
Seididh aon srn shalach an clachan.
One snotty nose ivill set a whole church a-hlovnng.
Seileach allt, calltainn chreag, fearna bhog, beithe lag,
uinnseann an deiseir.
Willow of the brook, hazel of the rock, alder of the hog,
hirch of the holloio, ash of the siinny slojoe.
Al. beitlie a' chnuic the hirch of the knoll.
Seo mo clmid-sa, 's do cliuid fhein ; sid cuid
Dhnullain.
This my share and yours ; that for little Donald.
Once upon a time, when crofters lived at Druim-Uaclidair, in
Badenoch, a poor widow at the end of a severe Spring was in great
straits. She went to a neighbour, and begged her, for the love of
God, to give her as much meal as would make porridge for herself
and her children. ' The Devil a grain have I,' said the other
woman. 'God bless my share, mother,' said her little boy, who
was sitting at the hearth. The poor woman went away sore-hearted ;
and presently there came in to the house she had left no less
a visitor than the Fear Mar, whose name had just been mentioned.
He immediately went to the meal-chest, and proceeded to take it
out in handfuls, two for himself and the mistress of the house, one
for little Donald. The former he put into a sack, the latter he
left ; and having finished the work, went out, emptied the sack
into the burn, and disappeared in a cloud of smoke !
Sgadan gearr gun mliealag gun iucliair, 's mairg br a n
tid e.
Short herring ivithout milt or roe, pity him that eats.
Sgal creathaicli, 'us (iubh caillich da ni nach mair
fada.
The noise of hurning brushwood, and the cry of an old
woman, doiit last long.
Sgaraidh aimbeairteas deadli chomunn.
Poortith pairts guid company. Scot.
Poverty parteth fellowship. Eng.
Sgian an fliir ud shios 'an truaill an fhir ud shuas.
This man's knife in that mans sheath.
347
Scjiobair tn-ri-creig, math air tr 's dblidh air muir.
Shore-skipper, good on land, craven at sea.
A long-shore skipper makes a lubberly sailor. Eng.
Sgoiltidh farmad na creagan. Envy loill split rocks.
Sgoiltidh sil a' chlach.
An eye can split a stone.
The evil eye. See note to * Ceum air do cheum '.
Sgriach na muice a' dol do 'n iolainn.
The screech of the soiu on her ivay to the stackyard.
Sgriob liatli an Earraich.
The gray track of Spring.
Al. Bheix sgriob ghlas Earraich cairt bharrach Foghair A
green Spring will Jill the cart in Autumn.
Shaoil leis gu'm bu leis fhein an cuan fo gheasaibh.
He thought the ocean his oivn under his spiells.
Applied to persons with an overweening or insane idea of their
own importance.
Shuidh mosag air a sasaig.
The scrub sat on her easy chair.
* Sasag,' or ' sunnag,' an easy chair made of wicker-work and
straw.
Sian fala mu d' shilean !
A shmver of blood round thine eyes !
Sid a' bhuille aig an stadadh m'athair, arsa nighean
a' chbair.
TJiat's the blow xohere my father would stop, said the
cooper's doMghter.
A blow too many would set the hoop flying, instead of fixing it.
Sid mar 'thaghadh Fionn a ch,
Sil mar irneig, ckias mar dhuilleig,
Ucbd mar gbearran, speir mar chorrau,
'S an t-alt-lthaidh fad' o'n cheann.
348
Muzzle like chib, ear like leaf, tail to the hough, and hough like
sickle.
This refers to the old Scottish deerhound. The English greyhound is thus described in a rhyme given by Ray :
A head like a snake, a neck like a drake,
A back like a beam, a belly like a bream,
A foot like a cat, a tail like a rat.
Siod' air cabar, 's bidh e breagli.
Fut silk on a stick, and it will look fine.
Siol nam pudharan. The seed of injuries.
Sionnach ag iarraidh a ruagaidh.
A fox ashing to he chased.
Sireadh caimein 'an cnlaich,
Sanas a thoirt do chuaille,
Duine 'toirt a chomhairle,
Far nach gabhar uaitli i.
Searching for a mote in straw,
Hinting to a fool.
Is the giving of advice
Where it is not taken.
Sireadh sop 'an connalaich.
Searching for a wisp in stubUe.
Sith do d' anam, 'us clach air do chrn !
Peace to thy soid, and a stone on thy cairn !
Siubhal a' chait a cbaidh do 'n eas dhut !
The wag of the cat that went to the waterfall to you !
Siubhal Artair ort ! Arthur s journey to you !
349
Sk'ibhte riabhacli nam ban bidheach.
Eussct SI eat of pretty uvmen.
See ' Clachan an t-Srath '.
Sliochd nan sionnach, Clann Mhartainu.
The race of the foxes, Clan Martin.
The fox is sometimes called * An gille-Mrtainn '.
Slog am bodach 'us sgrbaidh e tliu, buail am bodacli
's thig e gu d' limh.
Stroke the churl, and he icill scratch you, strike him,
and he vAll come to your hand.
If you gently
It will sting
Grasp it like
It as soft as
toucli a nettle,
you for your pains ;
a man of mettle,
silk remains.
350
Sradag a' ghobha, tha i duilich a bthadh.
The smith's sjmrk is hard to quench.
The smith has aye a spark in his throat. Scot.
Srn clio biorach 's gun tugadh i biadh a faochag.
A nose so sharp that it would pick a periwinkle.
Srn ri monadh. Kose hill-ward.
' Nez retrousse'. Applied to persons easily offended, ' nosey'.
Stibhartaich, cinne nan righ 's nan ceard.
The Steivarts, the race of kings and of tinkers.
Stewart is a very common name among tinkers, often adopted
for the sake of the supposed respectability it conferred.
Stoc suiridhche. A wooer s hlock.
In Lochaber a block of old bog-pine was sometimes kept, as a
test of skill and patience in chopping wood, for young men
coming a-courting.
Suas a' luideag ! 's e 'n duine an t-aodach.
Up with the rag ! the dress is the man.
351
On St. Brides eve sujiper with dayliglit,
On St. Patrick's, bed by daylight.
Al. Suipeir 'an soillse la, mach o la Flieill-Bri glide.
Laidlie 'n soillse la, mach o la Fheill-Pdruig.
Suiridhe fada bho'n tigh, 's posadh 'am bun an doruis.
Courting far from home, and marrying next door.
Al. Suiridhe air na h-aonaichean, 'us posadh aig a' bliaile.
Wooing o\t the moor, and marrying at home.
See 'Posadh'.
Slairean sgre na h-Uidh, 's muinntir aoidheacli nan
Loch.
The solan-geese of Uy, and the hospitahle folks of Lochs.
Two neighbouring parishes in the island of Lewis, the former
of which is now called Stornowaj, a great station for herringfishery and fish-curing hence the allusion to solan-geese.
Suit searraich air a leis.
AfoaVsfat is on his quarter.
Surd air Suaineard ! cliaidh Aird-nam-]\Iurchann a
dholaidh.
Stir thee, Sunart ! Ardnamurchan is done for.
Two neighbouring districts in Argyllshire. The saying is used
as a spur to emulation in work.
353
Talach a' ghille glilic, 'g a itheadh 's 'g a chineadh.
The wise lad's grumbling eating it and ahusing it.
Al. Talach a' ghille ghlic gabh na gliealjh, 'us iarr an crr.
The ivise lad's grumbling take what you get, and ask for more.
Talach air mend a cliuibhrinn.
Complaining of the greatness of his portion.
Al. Talach 'uallaich Gomplaining of his load.
Not uncommon among people bloated with wealth.
Tlaidhidh am biadh fiadh na beinne.
Food will entice the mountain deer.
Al. an t-ian athair the bird from the sky.
See ' Ctaichidh ' and ' Meallaidh '.
'Taomadh na mara line. Baling out the full tide.
Tapan graig air cuigeal criontaig.
The silly one's tuft of wool on the thrifty one's distaff.
Tarruing am bleidir' ort, 's bidh e oidhch' agad.
Encourage the sorner, and you'll have a night of him.
Al. Taghladh am bleidire, 's bidh an oidhch' ann.
The beggar takes care to call at evening.
Tatha mhor nan tonn, bheir i sgriob lom air Peairt.
Great billowy Tay will sweep Perth hare.
This was an old prophecy, fulfilled more than once.
See 'Dh'fhalbh Peairt'.
Tthadh goirid a' ghoblia, agus tthadh leobhar an
t-saoir.
354
Teine chaoran 'iis gaol ghiul^an,
Fire of iKcds and love of hoys.
Xot of long endurance.
Teirigidh Cruachan Beann, gun dad a dhol ri 'cheann.
Ben Cruachan will waste away, if nothing le added
to it.
A I. Theirigeadh Cruachan Beann, le 'bhi sior thoirt as, gun dad
idir 'g a chur ann.
Teirigidh gach ni ri 'chaitlieamh.
Everythiny icdll end ivith ^vastiny.
Teisteanas a' clioimhearsnaich air gach neach.
A neiyhhour's testimony is the test of everybody.
Al. Teist a nbaidh.
Teodhaidh feil ri fine, ged nach dein le duine.
Flesh u-ill warrti to kin, ayainst a mans tvill.
355
Tha 'bhlth ort nacli 'eil dad agad air.
You look as if he oioed you notiilng.
'Tha 'bliuil,' ars' am breabadair, 's a bbean air a
mhuin.
' The effect is seen,' said the weave)', with his luife on the
top of him.
He had apparently given in rather too much to his better half.
' Tha biadh 'us cel 'an seo,' mu'n dubhairt a' madadhruadh, 's e 'ruith air falbh leis a' phiob.
* There's meat and music here', as the fox said, v)hcn he
356
Tha claimh mo chaorach fhein air.
He has the scab of my own sheep.
Tha cuibheas air a' h-uile rud, gu ruig l a' bhrochain.
Tliere's a measure for everything to the drmhiny of
gruel.
Al. a' chil of kail.
Mae dogn ar bob peth. Welsh.
When moderately used it our lives does prolong.
The Kail Brose of Old Scotland.
357
Tlia e 'n geall na 's fliiach e.
He is pledged for what he's ivorth.
Said of one in great danger.
Tha e nis air fid na firinne.
He is now on the sod of truth.
He is dead.
358
Tha fios aige c' ite 'bheil na mnca-mara 'breith.
He, knovjs ivhere the ivhales breed.
Said of one who pretends to knowledge of everything.
Tha fios aige cia mud a ni coig.
He knows hov) many make five.
Ta fios aige ca mheud gi'inne pnair a ghnidh cig He knows
how many beans make five. Ir.
Tha fios fithich agad.
You Jiave a raven's knowledge.
That is, knowledge more than is natural. The raven was
believed to possess supernatural knowledge, and of coming events
in particular. This was also the Norse belief. Odin was said to
have two ravens, which communicated everything to him.
Tha fuasgladh a cheiste aige fhein.
He has the solving of his own qticstion.
Tha fuil feidh ort, 's cha tu fhein a mharbh e.
There is deer's hlood on you, and you did not kill it
yourself.
Tha fuil ghointe
He Ims bewitched
Said of a person
Al. sil ghointe
'n a cheann.
blood in his head.
who seems infatuated.
a bewitched eye.
359
Tha i cho math air sniomhadh ris a' bhana-Glireugaicli.
She is as good at spinning as the Greek ivoman.
This seems to refer to Penelope.
Tha iad air bhrdaibh mora, 's air thubhailtean geala.
They are at big tables, ivith ivhite tahle-cloths.
Al. air bhrd nir, 's air rd onoir, 'am broilleacha btlia at
big table and high honour, in the very centre of the booth.
Said of ' uj)setting ' little people, getting among good company.
Tha iad cho mor aig a cheile ri da cheann eich.
Theg are as thick as two horse heads.
Tha iad fad' air roiune nach urrainn leanailt
They are far behind that cannot pursue.
'Air roinne' is an old phrase, equivalent to *air deireadh,'
generally obsolete, but still used in Tiree.
Tha da ian bheag 's a' choill ud thall, 's tlieir an dara
fear ris an fhear eile, ' 'S toigh learn thu, 's toigh learn
thu'; 's their am fear eile, 'Dearbh sin, dearbli sin'.
There are two little birds in yonder wood, and the one
says to the other, ' I like you, I like you' ; and the other
says, ' Prove it, prove it '.
This is an imitation of the chirping of birds, but with a moral
meaning.
Tha lrach buain-fhid air an athar, ni e latha math
am mireach.
There's the mark of turf-clearing in the sky, 'twill he
fine to-morroio.
This is a graphic description of a break among cirro-stratus
clouds.
Tha losgadh a chorraig 'n a chuimhne.
He remembers the burning of his finger.
Tha maragan 'us bantraichean ri 'n gabhail anns an teas.
Puddings and widoivs must be taken ivhile they're hot.
There are coarser English and Scottish versions of this saying.
Tha 'mheir an digh na sgait.
His fingers are after the skate.
360
Tha mi na 's elaiclie air coille, na 'blii fo eagal na
caillich-oidliche.
/ am more accustomed to a looocl than to he afraid of
an owl.
I have lived too near a wood to be frightened by owls. Emj.
Tha mise cho mor as mo phoca 's a tha esaii as a bhalg.
1 am as jyroud of my -poke as he is of his hag.
Tha 'n an-shocair 's an t-an-fhacal aige.
He hears the sJcaith and the scorn.
Tha 'n cat 's an luath, thig frasan fuar.
The cat's in the ashes, it's going to rain.
Tha 'n clamhan gobhlach 'n am measg.
Tlie fork-tailed kite is among them.
Tha 'n deala 'snmh, thig frasan blth roimh fheasgar.
The leech is swimming ; warm showers toill come ere
evening.
Tha 'n cluine ionraic ionraic eadar bhun 'us bhrr.
Tlie upright is upright from head to foot.
Tha 'n eubh a'm' chluais ; gu'n gleidheadh Dia na' s
caomh leam !
The cry is in my car; God keep all icho are dear to me!
A plaintive sound ringing in one's ear was considered a presage
of death or calamity.
Tha 'n seillean fo dhion ; thig gaillionn 'us sian.
The hce keeps close ; a storm is at hand.
Tha 'n t-m cur anns na maidean.
It is time to he starting.
Lit. It is time to put (motion) into the sticks, i.e., the oars. This
is a Tiree phrase.
Tha 'n t-iasg 's a' chuan mar 'tha 'n sluagh air tir.
The fish in the sea like us mortals he.
Easily taken with bait, and generally going in shoals.
Tha 'n tigh dorcha, ach an cridhe soilleir.
The house is dark, hut the heart is Iright.
Tha 'n t-im gann 's an Olaint.
Butter is scarce in Holland.
Said when anything is scarce where usually abundant. This
saying probably origiuated with some Dugald Dalgetty.
361
Tha 'n t-lach ami an cliabli.
The mad fellow is in a creel (strait-jacket).
M 'Alpine (Diet.) says this is applied to people who have bad
Gaelic !
Tha 'n t-seamrag a' pasgadh a cmhdaich, roimli
tliuiltean dirteach.
The shamrock is folding its garments before heavy rain.
Tha 'n uaill an aghaidh na tairbhe.
Pride is opposed to profit.
The translation of this in the 2nd Ed. of Macintosh is ' Pride
is in the bull's front ' !
Tha 'n uaill 'n a bleidire cho mor ris an easbhuidh,
agus ro mhoran na 's uaibhriche.
Pride is as importunate as poverty, and much more
arrogant.
Tha 'n uaisle mar a chumar i.
Nobility is cts it's kept up.
Tha 'n uchdach goirid ged 'tha 'n eallach trom.
The brae is short, though the load be heavy.
Tha na brgan 'an ceann shios an tigh-mhine.
Tlie shoes are in thefccr end of the peat-house.
When the peats are done, people must put on their shoes, as
they can't warm their feet any more at the lire.
Tha rathad laimh ris an rathad mhor.
There's another road near the highway.
Tha rionnach air an athar, bidh latha math am
mireach ann.
There's a mackerel-sky, 'twill be fine to-morroio.
Tha sin aig coin a' bhaile.
The town {ot farm) dogs know that.
3G2
Tha 'siiideag fhein 'an ceann gach f'd.
Every jieat-end has its own smoA-e.
Tha 'smdan fin a ceann gach fid,
Is druinn ceangailt ris gach math. D. Buchanan.
Ys id ar bawb ei bryder To every one is his care.- Welsh.
Tha e 's a' cliuideachd, mar 'blia c luideacli a' clieaird.
He is in the company, like the tinkers shaggy dog.
Tha taobh dubh 's taobh geal air, mar 'bha air bta
Mhic Iain Ghearr.
He has a ivhite side and a hlach side, like the hoat
of Short John's son.
Mac Iain Ghearr (or Ghlorr)'s proper name was Archibald
MacDonell. See 'Ged is fada'. He was a noted reaver, and
followed a known practice of pirates in having his Jjoat and sails
of different colours on each side. See Teachdaire Ur, Jan., 1836,
p. 52.
Tha teas an teine 'n a luirgnean.
The heat of the fire is in his legs.
Said of a ' cat griosaich,' one too fond of the fireside.
Al. Tha teas na luaithre 'n an lurgann, or, a' d' labhran.
Said of peoj)le going hastily from the hearth on business.
Tha 'thapadh air teang' an Eirionnaich, ach 's ann
an deigh limh 'tha n Gaidheal glic.
The Irishman's luit is on his tongue, hut the Gael is
loise after the time.
Cha vel y Vanninagh dy bragh creeney, dys y laa lurg y vargee
The Manxman is never wise till the day after the fair. Manx.
363
Tlia tliiisa mar blia tliu 'n uiridli, 's ged bhiodli tu
na b'fheaiT, clia b'uilear.
Yoic are as you were, last year, and if you ivere better, it
luould he no more than ivas needed.
Tha togail do bhothain fhin ort.
You have the up-hrinying of your hothy.
Said to an ill-mannered person.
Tha tri faobliair air lurga caillich, 'us brd-nrchair air
a taobh.
An oldivoman's leghas three edges,andherside a gumvale.
Tlia tri la lucliair 's an Fhaoilleacli, 's trl la Faoillicli
's an luchar.
There are three of the Dog-days in February, and three
February days in the Dog-days.
Tha tuille 's a phaidir aige.
He knoios more than his paternoster.
Ta nios mo na jiliaidireaclia aige. Ir.
Al. Tha 'clireidimli catliarra ( = cathedra) aige. He has /j7.?
pater and creed. It has been heard as an objection to a man's evidence being allowed, that he hadn't his ' creidimh catliarra '.
Tha uaisle fo thuinn 'an Claun Lachain.
TJiere is a hidden nobleness in the MacLachlans.
364
Thinig caoraich Gheansaidh a' raoir, s' dh' ith iad e.
The Guernsey sheep came last night and ate it.
Said of anything that has mysteriously disappeared, or that
never existed. ' Caoraich Gheansaidh ' is applied to any imaginary
creatures. The saying is Hebridean, but the origin of it is unknown. Guernsey potatoes used to be known in Skye.
Tliinig ialtag a steach, bidh frasan a mach air ball.
A hat has come in, it's going to rain.
Theab 's cha d' rinn, c 's miosa 'bha riamh 's an
Fhinn.
Almost, hut didn't, the worst dog in the Fingalian pack.
Theagamh gu'n tig do bho gii m' bhuaile-sa fhathast.
Perhaps your cow may come to my fold yet.
Wha w'ats wha may keep sheep anither day. Scot.
Theid an fheala-dh gu feala-tri.
365
Theid dthclias an aghaidh nan creag.
Nature will ivithstand the rocks.
This might be rendered, ' Blood against everything,' an intensely
Highland sentiment, expressive of the feeling known as 'clannisliness '.
Theid molt dheth 'n fhear chadalach, 'us mart dheth 'n
fhear cheilidheach.
The sleepy man vnll lose a vxddev, the gad-alout a cov:.
The loss of the lazy man is small compared with that of the
trifler.
366
Tliig dnadas gu drocli oilean.
Boldness leads to had manners.
3G7
Thig math a mulad, 's thig sonas a snaimlmeas.
Good comes of sadness, and happiness from quietness.
It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the
house of feasting. EccL. vii. 2.
Thig ns do mlithar as, do shrin.
Your mother's first milk ivill come out of your nose.
Al. Thig sin as do shrin, 's theid an crdhadh nnte.
That loill come out of your nose, aiidpain ivill go into it.
These are threats or predictions of chastisement.
Thig ri latha nach tig ri linn.
There ivill come in a day what vjon't in an age.
Al. Thig rud ri am {or nine) nach tig ri aimsir.
Al. Thig ri aon uair rud nach tig ri dh dhiag.
Accidit in puncto, quod non contingit in anno. Lat.
Accasca in un punto quel che non accasca in cento anni. Ital.
To (f)epei fj cpa, xpovos 8v r (fiepei. Mod. Gr.
II advient souvent en un jour ce qui n' ad%'ieut en cent ans. i*"?-.
It happeth in one hour, that happeth not in seven years. Eng.
Thig sgrios air lach na mollachd.
Destruction shcdl come on the cursed hrood.
The seed of the -ndcked shall be cut off. Psalm xxxvii. 28.
Thigeadh dha fhein a bhi 'n a oighre, an ti a shireas
air gach aon neach.
It vjouhl ivell become him to be an heir, who begs from
everybody.
Tliiginn gn d' choimhead ged bhiodh tu ag cmhnuidh
an cos creige.
I would come to see you, though you lived in a rock-cave.
Thilg e 'n cearcal-mis. He has cast the bottom-hoop.
He has thrown off aU restraint.
Thoir bean a Ifrinn, 's bheir i dh' a tigh fliein thu.
If you take a vnfe from Hell, shell take you home with
her.
Al. bheir i rithist ann \h.n she'll britig you back there.
Thou- dhomh comith. Let me share your food.
Thoir do 'gliii-robh-math' do'n choileach.
Give your thanks to the cock.
A recommendation of early rising. Gu'n robli math agaibh,
good he u-ith you ( = thank you), is the ordinary addition to a reply
to ' How do vou do ? '
3C8
Tlioir do phathadli do'n allt, mar a ni an c.
Quench your thirst from the stream, as the dog does.
An excellent motto for Temperance Societies.
Thoir ian a nead glan.
Take a hird out of a clean nest.
Choose a wife of good parents. See ' Ps nighean '.
Thoir leat a' bho do 'n chaisteal, 's theid i dhachaidli
do'n bhthaich.
Tahe the cow to the castle, and shell go home to the hyre.
Ca' a coo to the ha', and she'll rin to the byre. Scot.
An ox remains an ox, even when driven to Vienna. Hungar.
Thoir Meach do 'n bhalach, 's gabhaibh e 'n reis.
Give the iinjncdent fellow an inch, and he'll take an ell.
Gie a carl yir finger, and he'll tak' yir haill hand. Scot.
Thoir spid do d' charaid ; 's ann air do mhuirichinn
fhein a laidheas e.
Throw reproach on your kinsman , it will rest on your
family.
A very good and wise advice : clannishness in its commendable
Buarach = cow-fetter.
Thug e 'cheann fo'n choil:e.
He betook him to the ivood.
At. Thug e 'choille fo 'cheann.
A common thing in olden times for outlaws or men in peril.
Thug iad aghaidh am buill 's an caman air.
They turned all their force against him.
Lit. turned their balls and shinty clubs on him.
Thuigeadh mo sheanmhair sin, 's bha i da linn air a
h-ais.
My grandmother coidd understand that, and she was
two generations behind.
369
Thuit a dli limh ri' thaobh.
Both Ms hands fell at his sides.
A case of total collapse.
Thuit an Tarbh-coill' orra.
The forest-hull fell on them.
Macintosh says this means, that a misfortune befell them. The
' tarbh-coill' was a dark cloud, which, if seen on New Year's eve,
portended a dark and stormy season. The ideas connected with
this ' Tarbh-coille ' and the ' Dir na coille ' (q.v.) remind of the
' genitabilis aura ' of Lucretius.
Thuit an tubaist air an Dghlas.
Mishap has fallen on the Douglas.
This saying applies to more than one of the great house of
Douglas, as may be seen by those who read Home of Godscroft's
delightful history.
Tigh a thubhadh gun a shiomaineachadh, saothair
dhiomhain.
Thatching a house ivithout ro])ing it, vain labour,
Tigh do sheanar dhut !
Your grandfathers dwelling to you !
Tigh Eoghain mhic Iain bhuidhe dhut !
The house of Ewen son of yellow John to you !
Tigh gun ch, gun chat, gun leanabh beag, tigh gun
ghean, gun ghire.
A house without dog, without cat, without child, a house
without cheerfidness or laughter.
A I. gun chel-gaire.
This pretty proverb appears to be purely native.
Tigh sda, muileann, 'us ceardach, na tri aitean a's
fhearr air son naigheachd.
An inn, a mill, and a smithy, the three best places for
news.
Tinneas-feachd. Army-sickness.
Sickness on the day of battle, = cowardice,
Tinneas nan Dnullach. The MacDonald sickness.
Armstrong (Diet., p. 297) says this was a kind of pulmonary
affection called ' glacach'. It is said that the family of the Lords
of the Isles received a charm from some shipwrecked foreigner to
whom they showed kindness, by which they could heal this complaint. A ' duan ' was repeated over the patient, who was then
24
370
touched with the right hand. In the following rhyme this healing
gift is alluded to :
Mor DhonuUaich Shleibhte,
D' an geilleadh an galar,
Teichidh Glacach an eig,
'S theid as da gu h-ealamh.
Tiodhlac na cloinne bige, 'g a tlioirt *s 'g a gliradiarraidh.
The little children's gift, given and soon asked hack.
O' bairns' gifts ne'er be fain ; nae suner they gie but they seek
it again. Scot.
Tabhartas Ui-Nill, 's a dh shil 'n a dhhigh O'Neill's gift,
and his two eyes after it. Ir.
Tionailidh maoin maoin ; agus tionailidh fiachan
fiachan.
Wealth draws wealth, and debt draws debt.
Tir nam Beann, 's nan Gleann, 's nan Gaisgeach.
The land of Mountains, Glens, and Heroes.
371
Toradh math 's a' chuid eile !
/ wish yon good of the remainder !
An expression of thanks, when one has received part of anything.
Toradh na feudalach gun am faicmn.
TJie fruit of the cattle that have not leen seen.
Trth bhios tuar a' dol as air na gobhair, cha bheir iad
ach buic.
When the goats die out, they bring forth only hucks.
372
Tlirice deer's age, age of eagle ;
Tlirice eagle's, age, age of oak.
There are stories told of deer attributing ante-diluvian age to
them ; but that here said of the eagle has not even such authority.
373
Trod chirdean, 'us sth naimhdean, d rud nach coir
374
Tuigidh na bailbh a cheile.
The dumb understand each other.
Tuigidh ua geidh fheiu a cheile.
Even the geese uiiderstand each other.
Tuilleadh air a' chrnan.
More iqDon the little cairn.
Tuireadh a reir an fhuinn.
Lament according to the tunc.
Tuislichidh an t-each ceithir-chasach.
The four-footed horse may stumble.
Gheibh bathach cheithre g-cos tuisleadh. Ir.
A horse wi' four feet may snapper by a time. Scot.
A horse stumbles that hath four legs. Eng.
Anco il cavallo si stanca, sebben ha quattro piedi. Ital.
Een paard met vler pooten struikelt wel. Dutch.
II n 'y a cheval si bon qui ne bronche. Fr.
Tuiteam eadar long 'us linihrig.
Falling bettvecn ship and landing-place.
Tuitidh a' chraobh a bhithear a' sior shnaidheadli.
The tree that is constantly hcived at will fall.
Tuitidh cliabh gun iris, 's theid a' bhriag do h-ionad
fhein.
A ropeless creel will fcdl, and the lie vjill go to its own
place.
Tuitidh ton eadar dha chathair, agus tigheadas eadar
dha mhuinntir.
Seat conies down betimen two chairs, and housekeeping betv:een two families.
Turns nam ban thun a' bhaistidh.
u.
Uaisle gun chuid, 'us maragan gun gheir.
Birth without means, and puddings without suet.
Al. Clag mu chuaille, bean-uasal fhalamh.
A cudgel hung with hells, a lady without means.
Ubh aig eireig, 's bean aig sgalaig.
A young hen with an egg, and a farm-servant with a,
wife.
Creatures with a sense of their superior importance, in respect
of what they have achieved.
An addition sometimes given is, ' Breid air sean-nighinn, 's i 'g
a shor-chradh An old maid with a head-dress, continually getting
mended.
Ubh gun im gun salann, 'an ceann sheachd bliadhna
thig a ghalar.
An egg tvithout hitter or salt will breed a disease after
seven years.
See ' Aran 'us uibhean '.
Ubh na circe 'dol a shireadh ubh a' gheidh.
The hen-egg going to seek the goose-egg.
The hen's egg gaes to the ha' to bring the guse's egg awa. Scot.
' Spoken when poor people give small gifts to be doubly repaid.'
Kelly.
Al. Ubh na circe duinne 'dol do'n tigh-mhor, gun ubh a'
gheoidh a thoirt as.
The brown hen^s egg going to the big house, without bringing back
the goose-egg.
Uidh air n-uidh thig an t-slinte, 's 'n a tonna mor' an
easlainte.
By degrees comes health, hut in great waves comes sickness.
Al. Muin air mhuin thig an easlainte, ach uidh air n-uidh
thig an t-slinte.
376
permitted to you that some one of you go under the earth of this
island to consecrate it '. Odran rose up readily, and thus he said,
377
' If thou wouldst accept me,' he said, ' I am ready for that '. ' O
Odran,' said Cohim Cille, ' thereof thou shalt have the reward,
viz., to none shall his request be granted at my grave unless from
thee he seek it first.' Odran then went to heaven. He then
founded the church of Hii.' There is no mention here, or in any
other WTting, of the strange event of the thiixl day.
Oran is not even named by Adamnan ; nor is he included in
the oldest list of the twelve companions of Columba. The Oran
after whom Re'ilig Odhrain, Oran's burial-place, is named, is
designated ' Abbot ' by Angus the Culdee, and his death is recorded in the Annals of the Four Masters in the year 548, i.e.,
fifteen years before Columba came to Scotland. The result is,
that the above curious story and saying are left without a particle of historical foundation. As an invention, however, they
are both interesting and instructive.
Uisge beatha 'bhalaicli mhoir, laniaid gun taing e.
The great churl's ivhisky, let %is drink it, and no thaiiks
to him.
This is the only proverb in all the present collection in which
whisky is mentioned ; and it is not an old one.
Uisge donn na duilleig; uisge dubh nam friamh, 's
uisge glas a' Cheitein, tri uisgeachan a's mios' a tli' ann.
The brown rain at the fall of the leaf; the black rain at
the springing of roots ; and the gray rain of May ; the
three worst of waters.
Of a quite different import is another similar saying, Uisge
donn na duillich, tha e ro-mhath do na fearaibh g The bivwn
rain of the foliage i& very good for young men.
Uisge mor a sgaoileas ceo.
Heavy rain scatters mist.
See 'Gaoth tuath'.
Uisge teth bho'n bhuain, 's uisge fuar blio 'n r.
Hot water after reaping, cold water after ploughing.
Al. bho 'n chrann.
For washing ; hot water in warm weather, cold water in Spring ;
very sensible advice.
Urcliair a' mhaodail air a' bhrochan.
The paunch's hit at the porridge.
Urchair an doill mu'n dabhaich.
The blind man's shot at the tub.
Al. Mar 'thilg an dall a phloc As the blind man threw his
cudgel.
Mai dall yn tawlu eiflfon. Welsh.
378
According to a certain story, Dabhach was the name of Ossian's
wife, and the blind old bard one day, provoked by something,
threw a deer's bone at her, and missed. See Campbell's Leabliar
na Feinne, p. 38.
Urnuigh an diugh, 's briagan am mireach.
Prayers to-day, and lies to-morrow.
Urnuigh maraiche re stoirm.
A sailor's prayer in a storm.
Passato il pericolo, gabbato il santo. Ital.
See Rabelais, B. IV., c. 19, Of Panurge and Friar John in the
storm.
Urram a' bhleidire do 'n strcair.
The sneak's deference to the swaggerer.
SUPPLEMENT.
SUPPLEMENT.
382
Anail a' Gliidheil air a' mhullach.
The Gael's breathing -place oii the the summit.
Right up Ben Lomond could he press,
And not a sob his toil confess. Scott.
Aon la 's-t-Earracli, naoidh a's t-Fhoghar.
One day in Spring, nine in Autumn.
Bainne nan gobhar fo chobliar 's e bltla, 's e chuir a' spionnadh
's na daoine a bha.
Goat milk foaming and warm, that gave their strength to our
fathers.
Baobh sam bith a ni guidhe, far an teoth' an gaol, 's ann a's
tniim' am buille.
WTien a wicked woman curses, where the love is hottest, there the
blow is heaviest.
383
Cha bhi cuimhn' air an aran nach fhan anns a' sgrnan.
The bread is forgot that ixisses the throat.
384
Cha 'n fhiach rdugli oidhclie.
Night orders are not good.
This is of the same sense as ' Day will hring counsel '. There are
old legends of hunters and others, who wished for their loves at night,
and were visited by Fairy women or vampires, and killed.
Cha robh corca math riamh gun shiolman.
No good oats ever were without refuse.
Cha robh cron air ach an cron a Ijh' air Fionn.
He had no fault but that of Fingal.
Fingal's one fault was that he was only 8 feet high, while all the
rest of his comrades were taller.
Cha robh molach nach ro sona.
None was hairy but was happy.
See ' Cha bhi sonas air bus lom '.
Cha sheas cirdeas air a' leth-chois.
Friendship won't stand on one leg.
Cha tugadh cu gearr 'earball as uat.
A tail-less dog wouldn't take his tail from yon.
Said of very sharp people.
Chaidh tu gu Dunbheagain orm.
You went to the extreme with me.
Lit. to Dunvcgan. A Lochaber saying.
Cho fileanta ri uileann fidhleir.
As tuneful as a fiddler's elbow.
Clann Diarmaid nam biisa dubha, cuiribh riu 'us beireabh orra.
The black-mouthed MacDiarmids, go at them and catch them.
This probably refers to the MacDiarmids of Glen Lyon,
Clann Fhionghain nam faochag.
The Mackinnons of wilks.
385
Dail-na-cille, 's Dail-a-glilinne, 's Dail mhr Chrnaig, 'n uair
'theid sin a threabhadh, theid a' ghort a Cinn-a'-Ghearr-Loch.
Dalnakill, Dalglen, and great Dalchronaig ; when these are
ploughed, there v:ill he no more dearth in Kingairloch.
Three sequestered and uncultivated spots in Kingairloch. The
saying points to a state of things common in olden times, but which
now, happily, need not be feared.
Dean suidhe, 'thiUeir ; 's dean .suidhe, 'thnairuear ; suidlieadh
ccli mar a's deise ; suidliidh mise ri taobli an leisteir.
Sit down, tailor ; sit down, turner ; let the rest sit as is best ; I'll
sit beside the arrow-maker.
In the Preface to Ronald Macdonald's Collection of Songs, a more
imperfect version of this proverb is given, as an illustration of the
fatherl}' hospitality of Highland lairds to their dependents.
Dli'itlieadh daoine na cruaclian, ach tliigeadh iad suas air na
Tudanan.
People could eat the big stacks, but they could do with the little ones.
Dithis a glieabh fois a nochd, mise 's an t-each ban, mu'n
dubhairt a' bhean. 'n uair a cliual i mu bhs a fir.
Two that win, have peace to-night, myself and the white horse, as
the woman said ichen she heard of iur husband's death.
Din' a sheasadh an grpa 'n a dhnan.
A man in whose dunghill the fork would stand.
A man of substance.
386
Fear farumach, 's e cothromach ; ceann 'us casan math aige ;
'us gun a mhthair be.
A man of energy, and well-to-do ; with good head and good legs ;
and his mother not alive.
The Lochaber ' beau-ideal ' of an ' eligible ' man.
' Farumacli ' expresses the cheerful stir made by a man whose foot
will have ' music in't as he gaes up the stair '.
Foghnaidh feur nacli d' fhs do 'n laogli nach d' rugadb.
G-rass that hasn't grown will suit the unborn calf.
Gabh an latha math as a thoiseach.
Take the good day early.
Gabh eolas Rudh-a'-bhird air.
Take it like the Bard's Point.
387
Is e farmad a ni treahhadh, 's e cmhstri a ni buam.
Emulation ploughs mid rivalry reaps.
Is fhada bhios duine triall, far nach miann leis a dliol.
A man gcs slowly where he doesn't ivish.
Is fhada Duneideann bho 'n fhear 'tha 'g irigh 's a' Stoir.
Edinburgh is far from the man who rises at Stoer.
Stoer is a parish in the west of Sutherland.
Is fhearr an cumadair na 'n cronadair.
The maker is better than the critic.
Is fhearr aon sine bhe na da bhoin mharbh.
One living teat is better than two dead cows.
A I. na da lmhaig than two axes. The axe was the weapon with
which the cow was killed.
Is iomadh ' thuirt ' 'us ' thairt ' a bhios 'an tigh an tuathanaich.
Many are the ' on dits ' in the cottage.
Is luaithe aon ch a' ruith na dh dhiag 'g a ruagadh.
One dog fleeing is swifter than twelve pursuing.
Is luaithe c na 'chuideachd.
A dog goes before his company.
Al. Cuiridh c e fhin air thoiseach.
Said of forward ill-maunered persons.
Is mairg a threigeadh an tuath, 's nach buannaicheadh an tighearnas.
Woe to him that would forsake the tenantry, loithout winning the
laird.
Is math Breinein an deigh na cloinne simh.
The bad boy is good ichen the gentle ones go.
When th'S good children die, the worst child becomes more valued.
Is math cobhair nam bioran le 'cheile.
388
Ithidh na cait fuigheall nan caolan.
Cats will eat the refuse of small guts.
Leathaineach gun bhsd ; DnuUacli gun tapadh ; Caimbeuiach
gun mhorchuis.
A McLean without hoast ; a McDonald without cleverness; a
Campbell without pride.
Three rarities.
Luideag 'us Doideag, 'us Corrag nigh'n Iain Bhin ; Cas a'
mhogain riabhaich a Gleann Cmhaiu ; 'us Gormsliuil mhor
bhrr na Mighe.
Baggie and Frizzle, and fair John's daughter's Finger ; brindled
Hoggan-foot from Glencoe, and big Blue-eye from May.
The names of a gathering of witches. See Dr. MacLeod's Ee7n. of a
Highl. Par., p. 249.
389
Na ith siiil, no th, no ra, 's cha bhi galar cich gu brtli ort.
Eat not eye, or wider, or liver, and thy breasts shall ail thee never.
Eathad Mhorinis do Chill-Fhinicliein.
Going by Morinish to Kilfinichen.
390
A mhic, ma theid thii 'g an taghadh,
Na tagh na dubha mora, no ua donua-mala ;
391
392
Mhuirich, commonly called Macpherson, as he sat down at the head of
Loch Long in Argyleshire, on his return from a pilgrimage to Rome,
having walked the whole way, save the ferries.
Muileann Bhiin-Migh ' Theid agam air, theid agam air ' ;
Muileann Choire-Chviinnlidh ' Leig h-i;gam e, leig h-ugam e.
This is a pleasant imitation of the sound of a mill-happer. The two
mills mentioned are or were in Lochaber, the one at Moy, the other at
Coirachoilly.
Na biodh ro-ghaol, 's na bitheadh fuath,
Agad-s' air sluagh Innis-threud ;
Na smaointich air na chaidh 'thoirt bhuat,
'S a' chuid nach deachaidh bhuat gun teid.
This is from one of Dr M'Leod's papers in the Cuairtear, Jan.,
1842, p. 311. These words were said to have been heard by a man
sitting at midnight on his wife's grave.
Nic Gleosgair mhor, 's a triir nighean,
'S a beairt-fhighe, 's a fiicadair.
This refers to three remarkable stacks of rock, called MacLeod's
Maidens, off the coast of Idrigill, on the west of Skye, compared by
Sir Walter Scott to the Norse ' Choosers of the slain,' or ' Riders of the
Storm '. One of the three smaller rocks, and the ' fcadair ' (fuller)
have disappeared ; and the ' beairt-fhidhe ' (weaving-loom) is now
scarcely visible.
Seachd bliadhna roimh 'n bhrth,
Thig muir air Eirinn re aon trth,
'S thar He ghuirm ghlais,
Ach snmhaidh I Choluim Chleirich.
An elegant but periphrastic translation of this by Dr. John Smith is
given in his Life of St. Columba.
Seasaidh an fhirinn,
Gu direach, daingeann, reidh,
Cha 'n ann air a' ghainneamh,
Ach air creig mar steigh.
This seems to be a paraphrase of Matth. vii. 24-27.
'S
'S
Na
'S
393
Siadair sin 'us Siadair,
Cha do chinnich duine riamh ann,
'S ged is lionmhor do chnocan,
Leaghaidh do chuid mar am fiar ann.
This saying, in reference to a farm near Uig in Skye, is attributed
to Coinneach Odhar, tlie Brahan Seer.
'S
'S
'S
Na
gach ni ri 'chaitheamh,
'g a chaitheamh gu minig ;
sin nach caithear,
caithear gu 'n teirig ;
394
395
Bior 'nad dhearn fhein na fisg ;
D' easbhuidh ri d' nmhaid na risg ;
Roinn * sgeine ri d' fheil na eisd ;
Beist nimhe ri d' blie * na diiisg.
Na bi gu sracanta borb ;
Na taghail gun lorg an sruth ;
'S na tigeadh a mach as do bheul
Aon ni 'thoilleas duit fein guth.*
Na dean tir air buirbe fir ;
Na 1 balgum garbh a goil ; ^
N' tra 'chi thu 'n ealtuinn ghlan gheur,
Saltair gu simh seacb a saidhJ
Na bi ro mhor 'us na bi beag ;
Air fl-ni ^ na caith do chuid ;
Air glirdh h-inich na tog trcd,
'S na h-ob i ma 's h-eiginn duit.
Na
Na
Na
Na
396
Smachdaicli d' atliair 'n a am,
Tuig nach fhearr e na tliii fein ',
Aon fhacal air am bi bias
Na leig a mach as a' bheul.
Bi
'S
Bi
'S
neo-sliioblialta ri mnaoi,
bi gu garbli ri duine bochd ;
gu dichuimhneach air d' arm,
bi gu tlth ri dol 'an troid.
397
An onoir nacli fhaigli thu do ghnth
Na bi 'g a h-iarraidh aon trth ;
An fliilt bhruidliueacli gun 'blii buan,
Mar rionnach 'an cuan a' snmh.
Beannachd ort 's na cum an fhearg,
"S na dean cealg air duine bochd,
Na bi dian ge d' robb ort dith,
Oir 's e Dia a bheir ni dhuit.
Tlioir do chomliairle mu seach,
Air gach neach a bliios 'n a feum ;
An rud a dhimolas tu 'cbach
A sliamhuil gu brtli na dean fein.
Combaiile de chomliairlean Phil,
Na teirig 'an spirn le d' dhein ;
Na dean siigradh riutha sud,
O 's trie friogh air an fhior bhrid.
The words in Gillies altered above are here given :
^ dhiomhidis. - biodh. ^ ionusa. * saoghalt. ^ frisealair. This
word is unknown. Gillies in a note gives ' doichiollach ' as a gloss.
' Friotalach ' means fretful. sheamhaidh. '' costach. ^ See Sirach,
viii. 19. ^ Proi-m. for ris. i" gras. " saoith'reach ; in Macintosh,
'saraichte': 'sradh,' 'grudging,' the Cuairtear version, is better in
sound and sense.
398
agus Bearla le Donacha Loudin. Seria mixta jocis, Ovid. Aberrain Clo-bhuailt ann le Sheumais Chalmers Airson "Wm. Sharp,
ann 'n Inverness. 1780. 12. 6d." It is difficult to believe that
there were two Duncan Loudins ; and yet the above title is very
unlike the character of this Duncan's muse ; and the publication
it refers to was evidently unknown to MacLachlan or his publisher. He was intimately acquainted with Duncan, of whom he
says, ' bha eolas cridhe agam air ' ; characterising him as a sober
godly man, a good speaker, deeply earnest in exhorting others,
who spent his life in great esteem, shunning every appearance of
evil. The influence of Buchanan is apparent in these verses, the
composition of which was probably suggested by his ' Bruadar '.
They are very good, and deserve to be known and kept in mind
wherever Gaelic is spoken.
399
Eiridli tnn air iiisge balbli ;
Gheibhear cearb air dtiine glic ;
Eiridh gnothach le fear mall ;
Bristidh am fear 'tlia call gu trie.
Tlia 'ghaineamli flieiii anns gach sruthan ;
Cba 'n 'eil tuil air nach tig trghadh ;
'S don' an cirdeas gun a chumail,
'S cha 'n fhaighear duine gun fhiling.
Is coltacb fear 'tha ris an flioill,
'S nacli 'eil sgoinn aige de 'n choir,
Ris an duin' a tliaisg an luaidhe,
Agus a thilg uaitiie an t-r.
'S dona tliig maighdean gun 'bhi beusacli ;
Cha dean fear gun gheire dan ;
Cha dean fear gun fhoghlum leughadh,
'S cha tig leigh gu duine sln.
'S math 'bhi siothchail anns gach ball ;
Caillidh duine dall an t-il ;
Is sona neach a bhios gxva. bheud,
Ach caillidh luchd nam breug an cli.
Smuainich mil 'n dean thu labhairt,
Ma 's iU leat do ghnothach 'bhi reidh ;
'S fearr dhut sealltuinn beagan romhad,
Na sealltuinn fad' air do dheigh.
Is trom snith air tigh gun tubhadh ;
'S trom tubaist air na drichdean ;
'S duilich do mhnaoi beanas-tighe
Dheanamh air na fraighean fsa.
Cha trom leis an loch an lach,
400
Caillear mart an drocli mliuthaicli
Seachd bliadhna roimh a mitliicli :
Tha sud a' feuchainn 's a' dearbliadh
Gu 'n tig an t-earchall le mi-fheairt.
Cha 'n fhuirich muir ri uallacli,
'S clia dean bean liiatli maorach ;
Clia dean bean gun nire cugann,^
'S clia dean bean gun fhuras aodach.
Far am bi bo bidh bean,
'S far am bi bean bidh buaireadh ;
Far am bi fearg bidh bruidheann,
'Us as a' bhruidhinn thig tuasaid.
Am fear a bhrathas 's e 'mharbhas ;
Cha deanar dearl)hadh gun deuchainn ;
'S gann a dh' aithn'eas tu do charaid,
Gus an tachair dhut 'bhi 'd' eigin.
Cha 'n 'eil saoi gun choimeas,
Cha 'n 'eil coille gun chrionaich ;
'S fearr beagan a mhathadh
Na sean fhalachd a dhioladh.
'S math caraid anns a' chirt,
401
Bean ardanacli labhar,
Bean gliabhannacli ^ clieilidlieacli,
Is tus trioblaid 'ns aimbeairt
Dol gu. d' cheangal ri te dhiubh.
Am fear a gheallas 's e 'dh' iocas,
'S e 'm fear a dh' iarras a phidheas ;
Clia choir do neach a bhi nllamh
Gu dol 'an cimnart no 'n gbhadh.
Am fear nach dean r ri latha fnar,
Cha dean e buain ri latha teth ;
Am fear nach dean obair no gniomh
Cha'n fhaigh e biadh feadh nam preas.
'S fearr sith a preas na stri ri glais ;
Bi faicilleach mu d' ghilan,
402
Na bi ealamli air trodadh,
'S na bi toi leach air tuasaid ;
Ach ma 's toigh leat do leanabli,
Na bi leisg air a bhualadh.
Bi 'n cmlimiidh air taobh na siochaint,*
'S na bi di-chaisg ^ air bheag aobhar ;
403
Na gabh farmad ri neacli idir,
Ged 'shaoil thu a staid 'bhi mor ;
A' bheann a 's irde 'tha 's an tir
'S an oirre 's trice 'chi thu 'n ceo.
'S math an gille greasaidh 'n t-eagal ;
Tha rud air theagamh duilich 'innseadh ;
'S fhearr dhut teicheadh le onoir,
Na dol 'thoirt oidhirp neo-chinnteach.
'N iiair a theid thu do 'n tigh-leanna,
Na iarr a bhi 'g araailt na pirti ; ^"
'S mithich druideadh choir an doruis,
'N uair a theannas an sporan ri icheadh.
Is diomhain dut a bhi 'toirt teagaisg
Do neach a chuir ciil ri elas ;
Mar 'thionnda's a' chonihl' air a bannaibh,
Pillidh an t-amadan ri 'ghraich.
Ge do robh thu dripeil,
'S coir dhut a bhi air d' fliaicill ]
'S iad na toimhsean trice
'Ni na toimhsean cearta.
Tha ar n-ine 'ruith gun stad,
Ceart co luath 's 'thig clach le gleann ;
Ni 1 stad 'n uair ruigear " hag,
'S bidh a h-astar aig a cheann.
Ceart mar a thig gaillionn na sian,
'N uair nach miann leat a bhi ann,
Is amhluidh sin a thig an t-aog,
Ge do shaoil thu nach b'e 'n t-ni.
Ceart mar a sgaoileas an ceo,
'N uair a thig teas air o 'n ghrein,
Is amhluidh sin a shiubhlas glir,
'Us ioma dchas air bheag feum.
Cha b' e comunn an da ghamhna
A bha shannt orm 'dheanamh riut,
404
Ma 's for gach sean fliocal,
A labhradh le luchd geire,
Bheir fid breithe agus bis
Duine air athadh 's air eigin.
^ ' cugann, ' milk set for cream. ^ ' aon ' and ' dhiag ' are sup})lied
here for better version and metre. ^ ' gabhannach, ' flattering.
^ 'siothchaint,' subst. for ' siothchaidh '. ^ 'di-chaisg,' uncontrollable ; not a dictionary word. ^ 'baileach' more commonly 'buileach'.
"^ ' smhail, ' small, opposite of ' domhail, ' bulky ; more generally
'smhail,' and 'dmhaU'. ^ ' rib' 'an slaod,' to entangle in a coil.
^ Subst. for ' chuir rud ami '. i Don't interrupt the i)arty. ^^ 'ruigear,'
subst. for ' thig i 'n, ' as preferable.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
I.
' Aireamh na h-Aoine,' &c., p. 7.
Counting cattle on Friday was considered peculiarlj' unlucky.
Ruith na h-Aoine, The Friday fate, was sure to follow. See to
the same effect, ' Ma mharbhas tu beathach Dihaoine,' p. 305.
Elas na h-Aoine, the Friday spell, was a name ajiplied to the
e\dl eye. If one possessing this unfortunate elas saw another
bathing, the bather was sure to get drowned.
Friday has long been held an unlucky day in various Christian countries. This is generally supposed to be founded on the
fact that it was the day of our Lord's Crucifixion. Accordingly,
it is a fast day in the Church of Rome, whence the Gaelic
name ' Di-h-Aoine,' literally 'Fast-Day'. The belief in the
unluckiness of Friday is not confined, however, to Christian
countries. It prevails also among the Brahmins, who hold that
II.
' Am port a's fliearr,' &c., p. 25.
Roderick Morrison, the most famed of Highland harpers, and
a poet of no mean powers, was son of John Morrison of Bragar
(see Note ante, p. 47), and born according to i\IacKenzie (Beauties
of Gaelic Poetry, jx 85) in 1646. His father, who was a man of
some mark, and of varied ability, had five sons, of whom three
became clergymen. Rory was sent as a boy with two of his
brothers to he educated at Inverness, and there he lost his eyesight from small-pox. Instead of theology music became thenceforth his study, and his father is said to have declared that the
education of Rory as a musician co.st him more trouble and
expense than that of the three ministers. On his return from a
408
visit to Ireland, Eory met in Edinburgh the Chief of the
MacLeods, Iain Breac, described by MacKenzie as " that sterling
model of a Highland Chieftain," and said to have been one of the
last that had in his retinue ' a Bard, a Harper, a Piper, and a
Fool all of them excellently and well provided for'. This
spirited Chief engaged Rory in the double capacity of Bard and
Harper, in both which offices he earned a reputation that still
lives. His Lament for his beloved patron, Creach na Ciadain, and
his Oran Mor Mhic Leid, full of praise of the dead, combined
with plain but dignified strictures addressed to the young Chief,
are very creditable, and still worthy of remembrance in that
ancient and hospitable house. Few families anywhere can boast of
having had two such bards in their service as Mary MacLeod and
Roderick Morrison ; and no sentiment more appropriate could be
addressed to a MacLeod Chief than this of Roderick :
Bi gu fiiighantach smachdail,
Rianail, reachdmhor, 'n Triath Ledach,
Na faic frid 'an sil bridean,
Cha chuis dion do Mhac Leid e !
Cha chuis dion do Mhac Leoid
A bhi dlum 's rud aige,
Laan an dthchas bu choir dhut,
'S biodh mr-chuis 'n ad aigne !
After the death of Iain Breac, change of days came to Dunvegan and to Rory : in his own pathetic words,
Chaidh a' chuidhle mu'n cuairt,
Gu 'n do thionndaidh gu fuachd am blths.
The Chief had given him the farm of Totamr in Glenelg rent
free, from which he appears to have been ejected by the new laird,
Roderick, of whom he says :
Dheadh mhic athar mo ghridh,
Bu tu m' aighear, 'us m' dh, 'us m' olc.
After this he returned to Lewis, where he died at a good old age,
and was buried in the old churchyard of Uy, near Stornoway.
The above facts are taken chiefly from MacKenzie's sketch, in
which a few mistakes occur. The poet's father is said to have
been an Episcopal clergyman ; he was a farmer. At the time of
Rory's visit to Edinburgh it is said that the Scotch nobility and
gentry were at the Court of King James in Holyrood House.
James VII. never was in Scotland after he became king. Macintosh says Rory was harper to MacLeod in the reign of Queen
Anne, which is probable enough.
Sir Walter Scott thus alludes to Roderick in JVaverley (ch.
x\'ii.), "Two paces back stood Cathleen holding a small Scottish
harp, the use of which had been taught to Flora by Rory Dall,
one of the last harpers of the Western Highlands ".
409
]\Iacintosli in a note on tlie above proverb (2nd ElT., p. 199),
gives the following interei^ting reminiscence :
" Harps were in use in the Highlands and Isles of Scotland
time immemorial, till the beginning of last century, and even
later ; for Mr. Eobertson of Lude, General Robertson's greatgrandfather, the gentleman whom the elegant poet Struan immortalises in his poems, was a famous performer upon that
instrument, and I have heard my father relate the following
anecdote of him :
" One night my father said to Lude that he would be happy to
hear him play upon the harp, which at that time began to give
place to the violin. After supper Lude and he retired to another
room, in which there were a couple of harps, one of which
belonged to Queen Mary. 'James,' says Lude, 'here are two
harps, the largest one is the loudest, but the small one is the
sweetest ; which do you wish to hear played ' James ansv%-ered,
'the small one,' which Lude took up, and played upon it till
daylight.
" Upon a visit to my native country of Athole, about five years
ago, I had the curiosity to enquire of General Robertson if the
harps were still in the family. The General told me they were,
and brought them upon the table, at the sight of which I was
quite overjoyed in viewing the musical instruments of our
ancestors, as well as those of the renowned heroes of Ossian.
" After my return to Edinburgh, I immediately gave notice of
the harps to the Highland Society of Scotland, who wrote to
General Robertson requesting a sight of the harps, which he was
so obliging as to grant.
" Mr. Gunn, teacher of music in Edinburgh, has since published
an Essay upon the Harp, with representations taken from these
very harps. I have the vanity to think the bringing these harps
before the eyes of the public to be one of the most pleasant
actions of my life, as in all probability they must either have
been lost or destroyed by time, without ever having been known
to the world ; and those fastidious gentlemen who take pleasure
in opposing everything respecting the antiquity of the Caledonians, would have persisted in denying the use of the harp
among these people, as they do many other things."
The two harps above mentioned are now in the Museum of the
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, to which they have been
kindly lent by the owner, Mr. Steuart of Dalguise.
Campbell, Macintosh's editor, adds to the above, that when
\'isiting the Western Highlands and Islands in 1815 collecting
melodies for his 'Albyn's Anthology,' he visited the grave of
Eory Ball's pupil, the last of our Hebridean harpers, Murdoch
MacDonald ; and that Mrs. MacKenzie of Dervaig in ]\Iull
remembered his playing on his harp in her father's house.
This Mrs. MacKenzie was the Miss MacLean specially mentioned
by Boswell in his ' Tour through the Hebrides '. She was the
410
daughter of a Dr. MacLean who lived near Tohermory at that
time, 1773. Dr. Johnson said of her, 'She is the most accomplished lady that I have found in the Highlands. She knows
French, Music and Drawing, sews neatly, makes shell-work, and
can milk coavs; in short, she can do everything. She talks
sensibly, and is the first person I have found that can translate
Erse poetry literally.' She accompanied her singing on a spinnet,
which Boswell said was well-toned, thoiigh made in 1667.
Carruthers' ed., p. 249.
III.
' Cha ghluais brg,' &c., p. 102.
' Edghan a' chinn bhig,' Ewen of the little head, was the
eldest son of one of the first lairds of Loch Buy in Mull, and
married a daughter of MacDougall of Lorn, a very ill-tempered
and niggardly woman, who got the nickname of Gortag. He
quarrelled violently with his father, and is said to have struck
him. The old man complained to his relation MacLean of
Duart, who was glad of a pretext for invading Loch Buy, and
411
said to have been only ' twelve years ago '. The reason given for
the restless activity of E wen's spiiit is admirable 'tliuit e 'n a
thrasg ' he fell fasting !
IV.
The season of Spring was more specially a matter of observation and interest to our ancestors than any of the other seasons,
on account of its importance as the time of year on the character
of which their existence and comfort so much depended. Accordingly we find it di\ded into variotis periods, with fanciful
names, founded, so far as their meaning can be guessed, on the
imaginary causes of the various changes of weather. The longest
of these is the Faoilleach, or Faoillteach, on the etymology of
which Armstrong says, ' The original meaning was perhap.s the
wolf month (fctol, a wolf), from the circumstance that wolves,
with which the Highlands once abounded, became more daring
and dangerous in the depth of winter. Faoilteach may also be
derived from faoile, welcome, joy. The Highlanders regard
stormy weather, towards the end of January as prognostic of a
fruitful season to follow, and vice versa.' The former of these
etymologies is supported by the word ' Wulfes-MdnaS,' said to
have been the Anglo-Saxon name given to the month of January,
Old Style, for the reason above mentioned. The other etymology is supported by the rhyme given at p. 178, ante,
412
' I left him behind the icall,
With his eyes mere swollen lumps '.
Another rhyme makes the Feadag the mother of the Faoilleach
and of course preceding it,
Feadag, Feadag, mthair Faoillich fhuair.
For this, however, there is no other authority.
After the Feadag came the Gearran, the Horse or Gelding, a
period as to the duration of which authorities differ very considerably. The Highland Society's Dictionary, MacLeod and
Dewar, and INIacAlpine, all make it 'the days from March 15th to
April 11th inclusive,' four weeks. Aiinstrom: says, more vaguely
than usual, that it is ' the latter end of February,' and no more.
The saying given on p. 316, mite, ' Mios Faoillich,' &c., makes it
two weeks, while several living authorities make it one week.
The presumption is in favour of a short period, which is supported l)y the only suggested meaning of the name Gearran
(gearr-shian H. S. Diet., McLeocl and Dewar), and the words
' an gearran gearr ' in the rhyme given below.
The Feadag is severe, but the Gearran is no better, as the
rhyme says.
Is mis' an Fheadag 16m, luirgneach, luath,
Marbham caora, marbham uan ;
413
the grass, and keep it from growing. Finding her efforts vain, she
flings away her mallet in wrath, and vanishes with a shriek into
the realm of Night, exclaiming,
Dh' flig e shios mi, dh' fhg e shuas mi,
Dh' fhg e eadar mo dh chlnais mi ;
Dh' fhg e thall mi, dh'flig e bhos mi,
Dh' flig e eadar mo dli chois mi ;
Tilgeam seo 'am bun preas cuilinn,
Far nach fas fiar no duiUeach !
It escapes me up and down,
414
English version, referred to by Sir Thomas Browne, and thus
given by Eay,
April borrows three days from March, and they are ill.
The Stirlingshire version quoted by Chambers gives, as he says,
the most dramatic account of this tradition, and seems to throw
light on the Gaelic name, substituting 'hogs' for 'ewes,' though
otherwise not satisfactory :
March said to Averill,
' I see three hogs on yonder hill,
415
larly beautiful. The wife of the Dearg, whose love for her husband had been so silent and restrained that he felt doubtful of it,
was thus expressed when the concocted story was brought to her
of his having been killed, which killed her,
VI.
' Is fliearr leum-iochd,' &c., p. 248.
A different interpretation of this saying has been recei^-ed
from Aberdeenshire, viz., that in lands allotted on the 'run-rig'
system, the crofter who got a ' balk ' attached to his rig was
considered luckier tlian his neighbour with a somewhat larger
rig, but without the balk, the grass of which was of more than
compensating value. The Rev. Mr. Michie of Dinnet has heard
the above saying used in the Highlands of Aberdeenshire in this
sense.
The customs as to the ' Cailleach ' and ' Maighdean-bhuana '
seem to have varied somewhat. Two reapers were iisually set to
each rig, and according to one account, the man who was first done
got the 'Maighdean-Bhuana,' or 'Reaping-Maiden,' while the man
who was last got the 'Cailleach,' or 'old woman'. The latter term
416
is used in Argylesliire ; the term 'Gobhar-bliacach,' the lame goat,
is used in .Skye.
According to what appears to be the better version, the competition to avoid the 'Cailleach' was not between reapers but between
neighbouring crofters, and the man who got his harvest done first
sent a handful of corn called the 'Cailleach' to his neighbour, who
passed it on, till it landed with him who was latest. That man's
penalty was to provide for the dearth of the township, gort a' bhaile,
in the ensuing season.
The ' Maighdean-Bhuana,' again, was the last cut handful of
oats, on a croft or farm, and was an object of lively competition
among the reapers. It was tastefully tied up witli ribbons, generally dressed like a doll, and then hung up on a nail till Spring.
On the first day of ploughing, it was solemnly taken down, and
given as a 'Sainnseal' or handsel for luck to the horses. It was
meant as a symbol that the harvest had been secured, and to
ward off the Fairies, representatives of the ethereal and unsubstantial, till the time came to provide for a new crop.
Jamieson in his Scot. Diet. s.v. ' Maiden,' ' Carlin,' Eapegyrne,'
' Kirn,' and ' Claaick,' gives some interesting information regarding this ancient custom, which was not peculiar to Scotland. He
says the harvest-home, when early finished, was called in Aberdeenshire the Maiden Claaick, when as late as Hallowmas, the
Carlin Claaick ( = ' Cailleach '). Additional particulars regarding
the Aberdeenshire customs will be found in the Rev. Walter
Gregor's work on the Folk-lord of the North-East of Scotland.
VII.
THE REV. DONALD MACINTOSH.
The good man to whom we are indebted for the first collection
of Celtic Proverbs ever made was born in 1743, at Orchilmore,
near Killiecrankie, on the north side of the Garry. His father
was originally a cooper, married early in life, retired to his
native Orchilmore, and there spent the rest of his days as a
small farmer or crofter. According to Campbell, he was "descended from the ancient Thanes of Glentilt," a claim which
need not be called in question. These Thanes, formerly Stewarts,
and before that Macdonalds, appear to have used the name of
'Toshach' (sounded long, Tiseach = First), as a sm-name, in 1501
(Skene's Celtic Scotlaiid, Vol. III., p. 273), and that of 'Mac
Toschy ' as early as 1382 (Id. p. 358). Macintosh, in Gaelic Macan-Tisich, means the Son of the Toiseach, or Captain. After attending the parish school, and acting for some time as teacher to
the younger members of his father's family, and such of the neighbouring children as were committed to his care, Donald removed
to Edinburgh, in the hope of bettering his fortune. He probably
found some difficulty in getting any congenial occiipation there.
417
and Campbell says he remembers seeing him in 1774 or 1775, as
one of Peter Williamson's Penny Post men, " with his bell in his
hand, and uniform cap on his head, on which were painted in gilt
letters 'Williamson's Penny Post,' alternately collecting and
delivering letters in his useful though humble vocation ". He
next found employment as a copying clerk, and after that for
some time as tutor in the family of Stewart of Gairntully. There
was at that time some wakening of literary activity in the direction of Gaelic poetry and antiquities, stimulated no doubt by the
success of Macpherson's Ossianic labours. Macintosh appears to
have done something in the way of collecting old poetry, but
being of a very modest disposition, he preferred to assist others
than to attempt anything in that line on his own responsibility.
One piece got by him in Lochaber in 1784 from a namesake of
his own, John Macintosh, 'Ceardach Mhic Luin,' appears in
Gillies's Seem Dana, p. 233. The idea of making a collection of
Proverbs and old sayings was a happy one, and the merit of it
appears to be entirely due to Macintosh himself. His design, as
expressed in the ' Advertisement ' prefixed to his collection, was
" to preserve the language, and a few remains of the ancient customs of Scotland, by bringing so many of the proverbial sayings
of the people into one point of %'iew ". In this laudable undertaking he received sixfficient encouragement and assistance. He
returns special thanks to Sir James Foulis of Colinton, for the use
of "some valuable Gaelic MSS.," to Professor Ferguson, "a gentleman to whom this coimtry is much indebted," and to S'eil
Ferguson, Esq. of Pitcullo. Others to whom he renders his thanks
are the Rev. John Stewart of Luss, Rev. James Maclagan, Blair
AthoU, Rev. Joseph Macgregor, Edinburgh, Mr. William Morrison, WTter in Edinburgh, and Mr. Robert Macfarlane, schoolmaster,
" all of whom were particularly obliging, having procured him
the perusal of many curious manuscripts, which considerably
augmented this collection". Nor does he orait a special paragraph
of thanks " to John Macintosh from Lochaber, formerly a tenant
under Macdonald of Keppoch, a worthy, honest man, well versed
in old Gaelic sayings ". Campbell says that a considerable proportion of the collection was got from this man in 1784, and that
previous to this the collector had got a valuable and extensive
portion of his materials from John Wallace, residing at Lettoch,
near Moulin.
In addition to those above-mentioned as having assisted the
collector, Campbell mentions the venerable Henry Mackenzie,
the ' Man of Feeling,' as one of those who gave him the benefit
of their literary judgment and advice.
The following is the Title page of the book
A Collection of Gaelic Proverbs and Familiar Phrases ;
Accompanied with an English Translation, Intended to facilitate the Study of the Language ; illustrated with Notes. To
which is added, the Way to Wealth, by Dr. Franklin, trans27
418
419
Episcopal Chnrch as by law established after the Eestoration.
How many clergymen remained true to the White Cockade cannot
420
what unnecessary display of wit and loyalty on tlie part of the
Court, the Lord President, Sir Hay Campbell, remarking that he
was "at a loss whether to frown at the audaciousness of the
pursuer, or to smile at the high pitch of folly of his witless
advisers, in wantonly thrusting a plea of so extraordinary a
nature into his Majesty's Supreme Court of Justice. What ! a
person claiming a right in virtue of his refractory adherence to
obsolete opinion, long since exploded nay, glorying in his dis-
421
he thus cle?iimated himself: "I, the Reverend Donald Macintosh,
a priest of liie Old Scots Episcopal Church, and last of the nonjiirant clergy in Scotland."
In 1808 his health rapidly failed ; he was unable to undertake
his annual journey to the Highlands ; he made his will, set his
house in order, called in the Rev. Mr. Adam, of Blackfriars' Wynd
Episcopal Chapel, received the Sacrament from his hands, and
soon after, on 22d November 1808, breathed his last. He was
respectably buried in the Greyfriars' Churchyard, but no stone
marks the spot where he was laid.
^<.
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0.0024 0.0024
oad.php:1712:main
0.0135 0.0111
oad.php:1712:main
0.0159 0.0023
oad.php:1712:main
0.0184 0.0025
oad.php:1712:main
0.0185 0.0002
oad.php:1712:main
0.1190 0.1005
oad.php:1712:main
call get_redis()
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
redis_read start
|download.php:645:getItem
|common/Item.inc:63:parseMetadata
|Item.inc:95:get_obj
|Metadata.inc:205:get_json_obj
|Metadata.inc:1279:log
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
redis_read finish
|download.php:645:getItem
|common/Item.inc:63:parseMetadata
|Item.inc:95:get_obj
|Metadata.inc:205:get_json_obj
|Metadata.inc:1377:log
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
begin session_start
|download.php:645:getItem
|common/Item.inc:63:parseMetadata
|Item.inc:95:get_obj
|Metadata.inc:205:get_json_obj
|Metadata.inc:1382:log
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
done session_start
|download.php:878:stream
|download.php:1325:head
|common/Nav.inc:59:__construct
|Nav.inc:129:session_start
|Cookies.inc:61:log
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
bug dump
|download.php:878:stream
|download.php:1325:head
|common/Nav.inc:59:__construct
|Nav.inc:129:session_start
|Cookies.inc:67:log
var/cache/petabox/petabox/www/sf/downl
|download.php:878:stream
|download.php:1351:footer
|common/setup.php:151:footer
|Nav.inc:1370:dump
|Bug.inc:120:log
-->
<script>
if (typeof(AJS)!='undefined') AJS.footer();
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
if (window.archive_analytics) {
var vs = window.archive_analytics.get_data_packets();
for (var i in vs) {
vs[i]['cache_bust']=Math.random();
vs[i]['server_ms']=119;
vs[i]['server_name']="www10.us.archive.org";
vs[i]['service']='ao_2';
}
if(window.flights){
window.flights.init();
}
if ($(".more_search").size()>0) {
window.archive_analytics.send_scroll_fetch_base_event();
}
}
</script>
</div>
</body>
</html>