Michilín
2004-10-01 21:02:33 UTC
Recently, I'm sorry to say, I've noticed that many of you are getting
bloody slack, so I've gathered together a few Gaelic proverbs from the
bowels of my computer for you to read through and memorise over the
weekend, ready for a stiff test on Monday morning.
If you see duplications, don't panic - just memorize them too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
S ann air a shon fhèin a nì an cat crònan
Its for himself that the cat purrs
S dòcha gun deach am foghlam os cionn Mhic Cruimein
The student bettered the teacher
S e a mhuc shàmhach as motha a dh itheas
it's the quiet pig that eats the most
(When the secret culprit is unmasked!)
S e tìde a dhinnseas
Time will tell
S e tìde a dhinnseas dè thachras
Its time that will tell what happens
S fheàrr a bhith dhìth a chinn na a bhith a dhìth an fhasain
It is better to be without your head than without style
S fheàrr am bonnach beag le beannachd na am bonnach mòr le mallachd
better the small scone with blessing than the large scone with cursing
S fheàrr caraid sa chùirt na crùn san sporan
a friend in court is worth more than crowns in the purse
S fheàrr iasg beag na bhith gun iasg idir
A little fish is better than no fish at all
S iomadh nì a chailleas fear na h-imrich
Tthe man that flits (moves house) loses much
S math an sgàthan sùil caraid
A friend's eye is a good mirror
A bheairt sin a bhios cearr,
's e foighidinn is fhear a dheanamh ris.
The loom or engine that has gone wrong,
patience is best for putting it right.
A bhliadhn' is gainne a mhin,
dean fuine mhòr aineamh.
During the year when meal is scarce,
let big bakings be few.
A bhò is miosa th' anns a bhuaile 's is cruaidh ni gèum.
The worst cow in the fold lows the loudest.
A cheud sgeul air fear an taighe is sgeul gu làth' air an aoidh
The first story from the host and tales till morning from the guest
A chuid de Fhlaitheanas dha.
His share of Paradise to him.
A chuir a ruith na cuthaig.
Sent to chase the cuckoo.(a fool's errand)
A 'chungaidh leighis is goirte,'s i
is moth' tha deaneamh feum.
The medicine or liniment that hurts the most
is generally the best healer.
A cur suas inisg, sa bun aig a bhaile.
The reproach getting spread and its root at home.
A ghaoth ag iarraidh na'm port.
The wind seeking the harbours.
A h-uile cù air a chù choimheach.
All dogs down on the strange dog.
A h-uile fear gu blàs fhèin mar a thiurt an daoine
a bha pògadh nam muic
Each to his own taste as the man
who was kissing the pig said
A h-uile rud ach an rud bu chòir.
Everything but the right thing.
A lion beagan is bheagan, mar a dh' ith an cat an sgadan
Little by little, as the cat eats the herring
A mheud 'sa gheibh thu gu math, se'n lughad a gheibh thu de'n olc.
The more you get of what's good, the less you will get of what's bad.
A mire ri cuilein, cha sgur e gus an sgal e.
Playing with a pup ends in a howl.
A' phoit a' tilgeadh air a' choire, gu 'bheil a mhàs dubh
The pot calling the cauldron black
A sgaoladh na'n sguab 's a trusadh na'n siobag.
Scattering the sheaves and gathering the straws.
A' taomadh na mara le cliabh
Bailing the sea with a creel
A chlach a thionndaidhear tric, cha tig còinneach oirre
A rolling stone gathers no moss
A toirt fiodhrach a Loch Abar
Bringing wood to Lochaber
(whose forests were once famous - taking coals to Newcastle)
Abair ach beagan is abair gu math e
Say but little and say it well
Abair sin, nuair a chaitheas tu cruach mhòine còmhla ris.
Say that, when you have spent a stack of peats along with it.
Adhaircean fada air a chrodh a bhios anns a cheò.
Long horns on the cattle that are seen through the mist.
Air gnothaich na cuthaig.
On the cuckoo's business.
Air rèir do mheas ort fhèin 's ann a mheasas càch thu.
According as thou esteemest thyself, others will esteem thee.
Airde na daileach is isle na h-airde
The highest part of the meadow and the lowest sides of the ridges
(The best arable land)
Aithnichear an leomhan air scriob de iongann,
aithnichear duine air a chuideachd
The lion is known by the scratch of his claw,
a man will be known by his company
Am boll 'air an sgillinn is gun an sgillinn ann.
The boll of meal at a penny and no penny in hand.
Am facal a thig à Ìfrinn - 's e a gheibh, ma 's e 's mo bheir
The message from hell - give to the highest bidder
Am fear a bhios a riarachadh na maraig,
bidh an ceann reamhar eige fhèin
The man that divides the pudding
will have the thick end to himself
Am fear a bhios fad aig an aiseag,
gheibh e thairis uaireigin
The man who waits long at the ferry
will get over sometime
(Everything comes to he who waits)
Am fear a chaill a nàire is a mhodh, chaill e na bh' aige
The person who lost his propriety and his manners lost all he had
Am fear a gheibh ainm na mocheirich, faoaidh e cadal anmoch
The man who is known as an early riser can sleep late
Am fear a gheibh gach latha bàs, 's e as fhearr a bhitheas beò
The man who finds death each day is the man who lives best
Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid
He who holds his tongue keeps his friend
Am fear a labhras olc mu 'mhnaoi, tha e a cur mì-chliù air fhèin
The man who speaks ill of his wife ruins his own reputation
Am fear a phosas bean posaidh e dragh
He who marries a wife marries trouble
Am fear a tha grad gu gealladh, 's tric leis mealladh
The man who's quick to promise often misleads
Am fear a tha na thamh, tha e na leth-trom an fhearann
He who is idle is a burden on the land
Am fear a thèid a ghnàth a-mach le lìon, gheibh e eòin air uairibh
The man who always goes out with his net will catch birds sometimes
Am fear dan dàn achroich, cha tèid gu bràth a bhàthadh
Who is born to be hanged will never be drowned
Am fear is fliuche, rachadh e do'n tobair.
He who is wettest, let him go to the well.
Am fear nach cuir a shnaidhm, caillidh e chiad ghrèim
The man who puts not a knot on his thread loses the first stitch
Am fear nach dèan cur sa Mhàrt, cha bhuain e san Fhoghar
He who will not sow in March will not reap in autumn
Am fear nach gheidh na h-airm 'nam na sìth,
cha bhi iad aige 'n am a chogaidh.
Who keeps not his arms in times of peace,
will have no arms in times of war.
Am fear nach seall roimhe seallaidh e as a dheigh.
He who will not look before him will look behind him.
Am fear, is fhaide chaidh bho'n bhaile,
chual e'n ceòl bu mhilse leis nuair thill e dhachaidh.
Who farthest away e'er did roam
heard the sweetest music on returning home.
Am feur a thig a-mach sa Mhàrt,
thèid e a-staigh sa Ghiblean
March's grass is withered by April
(Don't push - go with the flow)
Am fitheach a dhèireas moch,
s ann leis a bhios sùil a bheathaich a tha sa pholl
The raven that rises early
gets the eye of the beast (trapped) in the bog
An car a bhios san t-seann mhaide, is deacair a thoirt às
The twist that is in the old stick, is hard to get out
An car a h' anns an t-seana mhaide, is duilich a thoirt as.
Straightening the bend in old wood is a difficult job.
An ceòl air feadh na fìdhle.
The music throughout the fiddle.
An làmb a bheir, s i a gheibh
The hand that gives is the hand that gets
An làmh a bheir, s i a gheibh,
mar a d'thugar do dhroch dhuine
The hand that gives is the hand that gets,
except when given to a bad man
An leanabh a dh'fhàgar dha fhèin,
cuiridh e a mhàthair gu nàire
The child who is left to himself
will bring shame to his mother
An luigh nach fhaighear cha'n ì a chobhras.
The herb that cannot be found will not give relief.
An neach nach cìnn na chadal,
cha chìnn e na dhuisg.
He who will not prosper in his sleep
will not prosper when awake.
An nì a thig leis a ghaoith,
falbhaidh e leis an uisge
What comes with the wind
will go with the water
An nì chì na big, s e nì na big
What the little ones see, the little ones do
An ni 's an teid dàil theid dearmaid.
What is delayed will be forgotten.
An ràmh is fhaisg air laimh, iomair leis
The oar that's nearest at hand, row with it
An ràthad fada glan, is an ràthad goirid salach.
The long clean road, and the short dirty road.
An rud a dh'fhalbhas chan e d'fhonis
What is gone, or goes isn't sufficient
An rud a nithear gu math, chithear a bhuil.
What is well done will be shown by results.
An rud a thèid fad o'n t-sùil thèid e fad o'n chrìdhe.
What goes far from the eye will go far from the heart.
(Out of sight out of mind)
An rud a thig gu dona falbhaidh e leis a ghaoith.
What is got by guile will disappear with the wind.
An rud is fhiach a ghabhail, 's fhaich e iarraidh.
If it is worth taking, it is worth asking for.
An rud nach gabh leasachadh,
's fheudar cur suas leis.
What cannot be helped
must be put up with.
(Don't cry over spilt milk)
An triuir nach fuiling an cniodachadh,
seann bhean, cearc, agus caora.
Three that won't bear caressing,
an old woman, a hen, and a sheep.
An turadh, an t-anmoch, am muir-làn, 's an Dòmhnach.
Fair weather, the evening, high water, and the Sabbath.
An uair a chluinneas tu sgeul gun dreach na creid i.
When you hear a tale that is not pleasant, do not believe it.
(Turn a deaf ear to scandal)
An uair a thèid na mèirlich a throd,
thig daoin ionraic gu n cuid fhèin
When thieves dispute,
honest men will get their own
Anail a Ghaidheil, air a mhullach!
The Gael's breathing place - on the summit!
As an teine don ghriasaich
Out of the fire, into the embers, from bad to worse
B' fhearr a bhi gun bhreith na bhi gun teagasg.
Better be without being than without instruction.
B' fhearr gun tòiseachadh na sguir gun chriochnachadh.
Better not to begin than stop without finishing.
B' i sin reul 's an oidhche dhoilleir.
That were a star on a dark night.
B' olc-an-airidh gun deanadh aimsir thioram dolaidh.
'Twere a pity that dry weather should do harm.
Bàs a' chinn-adhairt, bàs do rinn (archaic; two good types of death)
Death in bed (lit. at the bed head),
Death in battle (lit. at the spear point)
Bàthaidh toll beag long mhòr
A little hole will sink a big ship
Bàthaidh uisge teth teine
Hot water will quench fire
Be sin an conadh a chuir do 'n choille.
That were sending fuel to the wood.
(Sending coals to Newcastle)
Be sin ìm a chuir do thaigh àraich.
That were sending butter to the farmhouse.
Beiridh am beag tric air a mhòr ainmig.
The little frequent will overtake the infrequent large.
Beiridh caora dhubh uan geal.
A black ewe may have a white lamb.
Beus na tuath, far am bithear se nithear.
The manners of the folk where thou art thou must adopt
(When in Rome do as the Romans do}
B'fhearr a bhi gun bhreith na bhi gun teagasg
Better be without being than without instruction
B'fhearr gun toiseachadh na sguir gun chriochnachadh
Better not to begin than stop without finishing
Bha iasad ga ghabhail 's
ga thoirt riamh air feadh an t-saoghal.
Borrowing and lending have
always been world-wide habits.
Bheir an èigin air rud-eigin a dheanamh.
Necessity will get something done.
(Necessity is the mother of invention)
Bheir aon fhear each gu uisge
ach cha toir a dhà-dheug air òl.
One man can lead a horse to the water,
but twelve cannot make it drink.
Bheir duine beath' air èigin,
ach cha toir e rath air èigin.
A man may force a livelihood,
but he cannot force fortune.
Bheir duine glic breith bliadhna
air fear na h-aon oidhche
A wise man will form a year's judgement
from one night's knowledge of another man
Bheir eu-dochas misneachd do'n ghealtair.
Desperation will give courage to a coward.
Bheirear comhairle seachad ach cha toirear giùlan.
Council can be given, but not conduct.
Bheirinn cuid-oidhche dha
ged a bhiodh ceann fir fo 'achlais
I would give him food and lodging for the night
even if he had a man's head under his arm
Bhiodh sonas aig an strodhaire
na'm faigheadh e mar a chaitheadh e.
The squanderer would be happy
were he to get as he squandered
Bhith beò beathail ged nach bitheadh tu beò ach leth-uair
To live life to the full, though you would only live a half hour
Bidh an ùbhal ìs fhearr air a' mheangan is àirde.
The best apple will be on the highest bough.
Bidh cron duine cho mòr ri beinn mun lèir dha fhèin e
A mans fault will be as big as a mountain before he sees it
Bidh mìr a ghill èasgaidh air gach mèis
The smart fellows share is on every dish
Biodh earlas meirleach agad air gach neach,
ach na dean meirleach de neach idir.
Have the caution of a thief about every one,
but make no one a thief.
Bithidh an osnaich dheireanach càidhteach.
The last sigh will be painful.
Bithidh bean-mhuinntir aig an fheannaig 's an Fhoghar.
The crow has her maid-servant at harvest time.
Bithidh cron duine cho mòr ri beinn mas leir dha fhèin e.
A man's faults will be as large as a mountain before he sees them
Bithidh na gabhair bodhair 's an fhoghar.
The goats will be deaf as those who will not hear.
Bithidh sonas an lorg na caitheamh.
Felicity follows generosity.
Bòidheach, cha'n ann dàicheil.
Pretty, not plausible.
Bosd gun chur leis
Pride with nothing to back it up
Brìgh gach cluiche gu dheireadh
The essence of a game is at its end
Brisidh an teanga bhog an cneath.
A smooth tongue will blunt wrath.
(A soft answer turneth away wrath)
Bu cheart cho math leam a bhith a sgoltadh bhiorach
I would be just as happy gutting dogfish.
(i.e. I dont think much of this!)
Bu gheur an cù a bheireadh an t-earball uaithe
Sharp would the dog be that could snatch his tail from him
Bu mhath an sgàthan sùil caraid.
A friend's eye is a good looking-glass.
Bu mhath ìmpidh a choilich mu shiol a thoirt do na cearcan.
Well was the cock's petition for corn for the hens.
Buinidh urram do'n aois.
Honour belongs to old age.
Buntàta pronn us uachdar leotha,
biadh bodaich na h-Àirde
Mashed potatoes and (thick) cream,
the food of the old men of the Aird.
Ceud mìle fàilte.
A hundred thousand welcomes.
Cha be là na gaoithe là nan sgolb
The windy day is not the day for thatch-wattles
Cha bhi am bochd-soghail saoibhir.
The luxurious poor will not be rich.
Cha bhi aon duine crionna 'a measg mille amadan.
There will not be one wise man among a thousand fools.
Cha bhi fios aire math an tobair gus an tràigh e
The value of the well is not known until it goes dry
Cha bhi luathas agus grinneas an cuideachd a' cheile.
Quick and fine don't combine.
Cha bhi suaimhneas aig eucoir no seasamh aig droch-bheairt
Wrong will not rest, nor will ill-deed stand
Cha cheòl do dhuin' a bhròn uil' aithris.
It is no music to a man to recite all his woe.
Cha chinn feur air an rathad mhòr
Grass does not grow on the high road
Cha chòir an t-each glan a chur uige
The willing horse should not be spurred
Cha chuirear gad air gealladh.
A promise can never be tied or tethered.
Cha d dhùin doras nach d fhosgail doras
No door ever closed, but another opened
Cha d fhuair sùil ghionach riamh cunnradh math
A covetous eye never got a good bargain
Cha dèan Tapadh leis an fhìdhlear am fìdhlear a phàigheadh
A thank you" doesnt pay the fiddler
Cha dèan aon smeòrach samhradh
One mavis doesnt make summer
Cha dèan cas làidir nach ith brù mhòr
The strong foot will not find more than the big belly will devour
Cha dèan cat miotagach sealg
A cat in mittens wont catch mice
Cha dean cridh misgeach breug.
The inebriated heart will not lie.
Cha dèanar sagart gun fhoghlam, s cha dèan foghlam sagart
A priest should be learned, but learning wont make a priest
Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh
Its no health if the glass is not emptied
Cha do bhris deagh urram ceann duine riamh
agus is mòr-am-beud a bhi uair 's am bith as aonais.
Due civility never broke a man's head
and great the pity to be at any time without it.
Cha do bhris facal math fiacail a-riamh
A good word never broke a tooth
Cha do bhrist fear riamh a bhogha
nach dfheum fear eile n t-sreang
No man ever broke his bow
but another man found a use for the string
Cha do chuir a ghuallain ris nach do chuir tùr thairis.
None ever set his shoulder to that did not what he sought to do.
Cha d'thug gaol luath, nach d'thug fuath clis.
Quick to love, quick to hate.
Cha mhair a' bhreug ach seal
A lie will not last for long
Cha mhisd a ghealach na coin a bhith comhartaich rithe
The moon is none the worse for the dogs barking at her
Cha mhisde sgeul mhath aithris da nair
A good tale is none the worse for being twice told
Cha 'n aithnich thu duine gus am bi do ghnothaich ris.
You will never know a man until you do business with him.
Cha 'n eil bàs fir gun ghràs fir.
There is no man's death without another man's gain.
Cha 'n eil fealladh ann cho mòr ris an gealladh gun choimhlionadh.
There is no deceit so great as a promise unfulfilled.
Cha 'n eil mòran lochd 's an crìdh a bhios a gabhail òran.
There is not much guile in the heart that is aye singing songs.
Cha 'n eil ùaill an aghaidh tairbh.
Pride is not against profit.
Cha 'n fheum an ti a shealbhaicheas an toradh am blàth a mhilleadh.
He who would enjoy the fruit must not spoil the blossom.
Cha 'n fhiach bròn a ghnàth, 's cha 'n fhiach ceòl a ghnàth.
Sorrowing always is not good, and music mirth always is not good.
Cha 'n fhiach gille gun char gus am bi do ghnothaich ris.
The man without a turn is worthless,
and the man of many turns is worthless (a "twister")
Cha 'n i a mhuc is sàimhche is lugh a dh'itheas de'n drabh.
It is not the quietest sow that eats the least.
Cha 'n uaisle duine na cheird.
No man is above his trade.
Cha nigh na tha de uisge anns a' mhuir ar càirdeas
All the water in the ocean could not wash away our kinship
Cha robh dithis riamh a fadadh teine nach do las eatarra
Two never kindled a fire but it lit between them
Cha robh math na olc riamh gun mhnathan uime
There was never good or ill without women being involved in it
Cha robh na sgeulaiche nach robh breugach.
There ne'er was a tale-bearer but was untruthful.
Cha robh naigheachd mhòr riamh nach robh na chall do dhuin'eigin.
There never was great news but was a loss to somebody.
Cha robh Samhradh riamh gun ghrian;
cha robh Geamhradh riamh gun sneachd
There never was a summer without sun;
there never was a winter without snow
Cha sgal cù roimh chnàimh
A dog yells not when hit with a bone
Cha sgeul-rùin e s fios aig triùir air
Its no secret if three know it
Cha sheas càirdeas air a lèth-chois.
Friendship will not stand on one leg.
Cha shoirbh triubhas a chur air cat
Its not easy to put trews on a cat
Cha tàinig eun glan riamh à nead achlamhainn
A clean bird never came out of a kites nest
Cha tèid nì sam bith san dòrn dùinte
Nothing can get into a closed fist
Cha tharraing tu bò an comhair a h-earball
You cannot pull a cow backwards
(There is a natural way with everything)
Cha tig an còta-glas cho math dhan h-uile fear
The grey coat doesn't suit everyone as well
(archaic, said to those who always look good; ironic)
Cha tig as a phoit ach an toit a bhios innte
No fumes from the pot but from what it contains
Cha tig olc à teine
No evil can come out of fire (which purifies)
Cha tig spilgein air fear eiginn
A person in need gets nothing
Cha toir a bhòidhchead goil air a phoit
Beauty wont boil the pot
Cha toir am fitheach an t-sùil dha isean fhèin
The raven wont give the eye (even) to his own chick
Cha toir an uaisle goil air a phoit.
Gentility will not boil the pot.
Cha toir muir no mònadh a chuid bho dhuine sona,
ach cha ghleidh duine dona allt.
Nor main nor mountain can take away from a happy man,
but the unlucky man can't dam a rivulet
Cha tuit caoran à cliabh falamh.
Peats dont fall from empty creels
Chaidh am foghlam os cionn Mhic Cruimein
The education outstripped MacCrimmon
(the student surpassed the teacher)
Chaidh theabh le creag, is theabh nach deachaidh.
Almost went over a rock and almost didn't.
Chan ann am Bòid uile a tha an t-olc;
tha cuid dheth sa Chumaradh bheag làimh ris
Not all evil is in Bute;
some is in little Cumbrae nearby
Chan ann leis a chiad bhuille thuiteas a chraobh
It is not with the first stroke that the tree falls
Chan eil air a' chruadal ach cruadhachadh ris
The only remedy for hardship is to harden to it
Chan eil air an duine sona ach a bhreith agus àrach
The contented person has no needs but to be born and brought up
Chan eil an t-each air coingheall sgìth gu bràth
The borrowed horse is never tired
(my Nova Scotian wife's favourite saying to me)
Chan eil bàs ach ruaig
There is no death but defeat
Chan eil bàs duine gun ghràs duine
No mans death is without grace
Chan eil deathach an taigh na h-uiseig
There is no smoke in a larks house
Chan eil fealladh ann cho mòr ris an gealladh gun choimhlionadh
There is no deceit so great as a promise unfullfilled
Chan eil port an asgaidh ann, mar a thuirt an seann chlàrsair
Theres no free tune, as the old harper said
Chan eil saoi air nach laigh leòn
No hero is proof against injury
Chan eil saoi gun choimeas
There is no hero without compare
Chan fhiach bròn a ghnàth,
's chan fhiach ceòl a ghnàth
Sorrowing always is not good,
and music (mirth) always is not good
Chan fhiach cuirm gun a còmhradh
A feast is no use without good conversation
Chan fhiach gille gun char,
's chan fhiach gille nan car
The man without a turn is worthless
and the man of many turns is worthless
(A man of many turns is a way to say 'a cheat')
Chan i bhò s àirde geum as mò bainne
The loudest cow is not the best milker
Chan iongnadh boladh nan sgadan a bhith
den t-soitheach sam bi iad
No wonder the vessel smells
of the herrings that it holds
Cho dall ri damh ann an ceò
As blind as an ox in mist
Cho gòrach ris na h-eòin
As thoughtless as the birds
(said of children)
Cho làidir ri Cuchulainn.
As strong as Cuchulainn.
Cho marbh ri sgadan
As dead as a herring
Cluinnidh am bodhar fuaim an airgead.
The deaf will hear the clink of money.
Coin bhadhail is clann dhaoin eile!
Stray dogs and other people's children!
Coisich gu dìreach, a mhic,
mar a thuirt an seann phartan ris a phartan òg
Walk straight, son,
as the old crab said to the young one
(do as I say, not as I do)
Cruaidh mar an fhraoch is buan mar a ghiuthas
Hard as the heather, lasting as the pine
Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho 'n d' thainig sibh
Remember the people from whom you come
(seen on gravestones)
Cùm do chù ri leigeadh
Hold back your dog till the deer falls
Dèan maorach fhad s a bhios an tràigh ann
Dig your bait while the tide is out
Dùnan math innearach, màthair na ciste-mine
A good dungheap is mother to the meal chest
Eallach mòr an duine leisg
The lazy man finds all burdens heavy.
Eiridh tonn air uisge balbh
A wave will rise on quiet water
Fada bhon t-sùil, fada bhon chridhe
Far from the eye, far from the heart
Fainne mun mheur's gun snàithne mun mhàs
A ring around the finger and not a stitch about the bum
Faodaidh fearg sealltainn a stigh air cridh an duine ghlic
ach còmhnaichidh i an cridh an amadain
Anger may look in on a wise man's heart
but it abides in the heart of a fool
Faodar an t-òr fhèin a cheannach tuille is daor
Gold itself may be too dearly bought
Far am bi bò, bidh bean,
is far am bi bean bidh buaireadh
Where you find a cow you find a woman,
and where there is a woman there is trouble
Far am bi fearg bidh bruidhinn,
is às a' bhruidhinn thig tuasaid!
Where there is anger there are words
and where there are words there is a brawl!
Far an taine n abhainn, s ann as mò a fuaim
Where the stream is shallowest, it is noisiest
Fear gu aois, is bean gu bàs
A son is a son until he comes of age;
a daughter is a daughter all her life
Fear sam bith a loisgeas a mhàs,
s e fhèin a dhfheumas suidhe air
Whoever burns his backside
must himself sit upon it
(Constantly said by my Nova Scotian wife to our kids!)
Feuch gu bheil do theallach fh?in sguaibte,
ma's tog thu luath do choimhearsnaich
See that your own hearth is swept
before you lift your neighbour's ashes
Feumaidh an talamh a chuid fhèin
The earth (ie, the grave) will get its share
Fuil gu fichead, comhdhaltas gu ceud
Blood to the twentieth (degree),
fosterage to the hundredth
(An old Highland custom was to exchange children for a
few years top enhance friendship bonds. A foster brother
was considered far closer and therefore owed more
obligation than a blood brother)
Furain an t-aoigh a thig, greas an t-aoigh tha falbh
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest
Gabhaidh an connadh fliuch, ach cha ghabh a chlach
Wet fuel may kindle, but a stone never will
Gabhaidh fear na sròine mòire a h-uile rud ga ionnsaigh fhèin
The man with a big nose thinks everyone talks of it
Gach cùis gu cùmhnant
Let every business be done by agreement
Gach madadh air a mhadadh choimheach
Every dog sets upon the stranger dog
Ge be thig gun chuireadh, suidhidh e gun iarraidh
Who comes uninvited will sit down unbidden
Ge milis a mhil, cò dhimlicheadh o bhàrr dri i?
Honey may be sweet, but who licks it off a briar?
Ge milis am fìon, tha e searbh ri dhìol
The wine is sweet, the paying bitter
Gealladh gun a'choimhghealladh,
is miosa sin na dhiultadh
Promising but not fulfilling
is worse than refusing
Ged a chuireadh tu an t-amadan ann an amar-bruthaidh,
cha dhealaich amaideas ris
Although you would put the fool into a wine press,
foolishness will not part from him
Ged bheir thu bean o Ifrinn,
bheir i dhachaigh thu
Though you should take a wife from Hell,
yet she will bring you home
Ged dh'eignichear an seanfhacal,
cha breugaichear e
Though the old saying be strained,
it can not be belied
Ged 's fhada a-muigh Barraigh, ruigear i
Although Barra is far out, it can be reached
Gheibh as t-uaibhreach leigeadh an uair airde e
The proud will be humbled at their highest
Gheibh cearc an sgrìobain rudeigin,
is chan fhaigh cearc a chrùbain dad idir
The scraping hen will find something,
but the creeping hen will find nothing
Gheibh faidhidinn furstachd
Patience will get relief or reward
Gluais faicilleach le cupan làn
Go carefully with a full cup.
Guma fada beò thu is ceò as do thaigh!
May you be alive long and smoke from (the top of) your house
Gus an tràighear a' mhuir le cliabh,
cha bhi fear fial falamh
Until the ocean is emptied with a basket,
the generous man will never be empty-handed
Iallan fada a leathair duin eile
Long laces from another mans leather.
(Taking advantage of another)
Is ann air each èasgaidh a leigear an t-uallach
It is on the willing horse that the burden is laid
Is ann an ceann bliadhna a dhinnseas iasgair a thuiteamas
It is at the years end that the fisher can tell his luck
Is ann den aon chlò an cathdath
The tartan is all of the one stuff
Is àrd ceann an fhèidh sa chreachann
Lofty is the deers head on the top of the mountain
Is bean-taighe n luchag air a taigh fhèin
The mouse is mistress in her own house
Is buidhe le amadain imrich
Fools are fond of flitting
(this idiomatic use of buidhe crops up elsewhere in Gaelic)
Is coma le fear nam bròg càite an cuir e a chas
The shod man cares not where he puts his foot
Is coma leis an rìgh Eoghain,
ach is coma le Eoghain co-dhiù
The king doesnt like Ewen,
but Ewen couldnt care less
Is diù nach gabh comhairle,
agus is diù a ghabhas a h-uile comhairle
He is foolish who won't take advice,
and he is foolish who takes all advice
Is e n t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach
The learning in youth is the pretty learning
Is e rìgh nan uamhas am bàs
Death is the king of terrors
Is fad an oidhche gu latha do dhfhear na droch mhnatha
The night is long for the husband of a bad wife
Is fheàrr a bhloigh bheag le beannachd
na a bhloigh mhòr le mollachd
The little thing with a blessing is better
than the large one with a curse
Is fheàrr bloigh bheag le bheannachd,
na bloigh mòr le mallachd
Better a small portion with a blessing
than a large portion with a cursing
Is fheàrr caraid s a chùirt
na crùn s a sporan
Better a friend at court
than a crown (five shillings) in the purse
(Scots Gaelic)
Is feárr carad s a g-cúirt
na bonn sa sparán
Better a friend at court
than a halfpenny in the purse
(Irish Gaelic)
Is fheàrr còmhairl na thrath na tiodhlac fadalach
Timely advice is better than a late gift
Is fheàrr na'n t-òr sgeul air inns' air chòir
Better than gold is the tale well told
Is fheàrr teicheadh math na droch fhuireach
Better a good retreat than a bad stand
Is fheàrr teine beag a gharas
na teine mòr a loisgeas
The little fire that warms is
better than the big fire that burns
Is furasda dh'an fhear eisdeachd beum
a thoar dh'an fhear labhairt.
It is easy for the listening man
to give taunt to the speaking man
Is i mhàthair bhrisg a nì n nighean leisg
The active mother makes the lazy daughter
Is ioma nì a chailleas fear na h-imrich
Many a thing drops from the man who often flits
("to flit" - Scots for "to move house")
Is ladarna gach cù air a shitig fhèin
Every dog is bold on his own midden
Is luath fear doimeig air fàire,
latha fuar earraich
Swift is the sluts husband over the hill,
on a bleak day in Spring
Is luath fear na droch mhnatha
air a mhachair Uibhistich
Fast goes the man of the thriftless wife
upon the Uist machair
(for she clothes him badly)
Is math an còcaire an tacras
Hunger is a good cook
Is math an sgàthan sùil caraide
A friends eye is a good looking-glass
Is minig a bha 'n donas daicheil
The Devil is often attractive
Is minig a thàinig comhairle ghlic à ceann amadain
It is often that wise counsel came from a fools head
Is miosa seo nan t-alum!
This is worse than the alum
(said of a food or drink with an exceptionally bad flavour)
Is mò làn do shùla na làn do bhroinn
Your eyes are bigger than your tummy
(nominative of broinn is "brù")
Is mór stàth na h-Àirde do Mhac Shimidh
Lord Lovat benefits greatly from the Aird
Is obair-là duine a thiodhlacadh
Its a days work to bury a man
Is sleamhainn leac doras an taigh mhòir
The chiefs house has a slippery doorstep
Is treasa dithis a dol thar àn àtha na fad o chèile
Two should stay together when crossing a ford
Is truagh a bhantrach a phiob
Poor is the bagpipe when widowed
Is uaisle am breid na toll
A patch is better than a hole
Is ùrachadh atharrachadh
Change is refreshing (a change is as good as a rest)
Lean gu dlùth ri cliù do shinnsre
Follow closely to the reputation of your ancestors
Luathaid gu deanamh maille
Too much rush causes delay
Mol an latha math mu oidhche
Praise the good day at the close of it
Mollaidh an t-each math e fhein
The good horse will praise itself
Na biasta beag a deanamh mar dh'fhaodas iad;
na biasta mor ag itheadh nam biasta beag
The little beasts doing as best they may;
the big beasts eating the little beasts
Na las sop nach urrainn duit féin a chuir as
Do not light a fire that you cannot yourself put out
Na sir 's na seachainn an cath
Neither seek nor shun the fight
Na tog mi gus an tuit mi
Don't lift me up until I fall
Na toilich do mhiann gus am feuch thu do sporan
Check your purse before you please yourself
Na toir bó á Paibeil 's na toir bean á Boighreigh (Uist)
Don't take a cow from Paible or a wife from Boreray
Nach gul i seachd uairean mus ruith an t-earrach
She will lament seven times before the spring is over
(don't be in a rush to get things done)
Nas fheàrr Gàidhlig briste na Beurla cliste
Better broken Gaelic than nimble English
Nì an imrich thric an àirneis lom
Frequent flitting bares the furnishing
Nì òigear leisg bodach brisg
A lazy youth will make an active old man
Nuair a thig Rocabarra ris,
is dual gun tèid an saoghal a sgrios
When Rocabarra appears again,
the world is doomed to destruction
(Rockabarra is an island that will
rise from the ocean one day)
Nuair as teinne an taod,
's ann as dualtaiche dha bhriseadh
When the rope is at its tightest,
it is most likely to break
(Relates to personal stress)
Nuair is mo a fhuair mi,
'sann is lugha bha agam
The more I got, the less I had
Rud nach cluin cluas cha ghluais cridhe
That which the ear doesn't hear won't stir the heart
Rud nach fhaic sùil, cha gluais e chridhe
Out of sight, out of mind (lit. out of heart)
Ruigidh an ro-ghiullachd air an ro-ghalar
The best of nursing may overcome the worst disease
Ruigidh each mall muileann,
ach feumaidh fear fuireach a bhriseas a chas
A slow horse will reach the mill,
but the one that breaks his leg must stay where he is
'S ann an àiteachan eile a gheibh sibh lorg air ar caraidean
It's in strange places that we find our friends
'S e n t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach
The learning in youth is the pretty learning
Saoilidh an duin air mhisg gum bi a h-uile duin air mhisg ach e
fhèin
The drunk man thinks himself the only one sober
Seachnaidh duin a bhràthair, ach cha sheachain e choimh-earsnach
A man may do without a brother, but not without a neighbour
Seòladair an Acha Mhóir
An Achmore sailor (Someone not up to the job)
(Achmore is an inland area of the Isle of Lewis)
Socraichidh am pòsadh an gaol
Love is soon cooled by marriage
Suirghe cein is posadh am bun na h-ursainn
Distant courting, and marrying close at hand (at the door posts)
Suirghe fada bhon taigh, s pòsadh am bun an dorais
Go courting afar, but marry next door
Sùrd le Suaineart! Chaidh Àird nam Murchan a dholaidh!
Let Sunart rejoice! Ardnamurchan has been ruined!
(Ard nam murchan = "Headland of the sea hounds")
Tachraidh na daoine, ach cha tachair na cnuic
Men will meet, but the hills will not
Tagh do chomhluadar ma'n tagh thu do dheoch
Choose your company before you choose your drink
Tart an dèidh an òil, bròn an dèidh an airgid
Thirst after drinking, sorrow after money
(ie riches - nothing lasts for ever
Teagasg ga thoirt do mhnaoi bhuirb, mar bhuille ùird air iarunn fuar
Scolding a scold is like hammering cold iron
Teine chaoran is gaol ghiullan - cha do mhair iad fada riamh
A fire of broken peat, and a boys love do not last
"Tha biodh is ceol an seo!" mar a thuirt a madadh ruadh, 's e ruith
air falbh leis a phiob.
"Here's both meat and music!" as the fox said when he ran away with
the bagpipes.
Tha a mheòir as dèidh na sgait
His fingers are after the skate
(the skate's flesh makes your fingers sticky)
(a bad piper - his fingers stick to the chanter)
Tha iomadh doigh air cu a mharbhadh gun a thachadh le im
There are many ways of killing a dog besides choking him with butter.
Tha iongantas air a chat earball a bhith air
The cat wonders at its own tail
Theid a t-anfhann dichiollach thar an laidir leisg
The diligent weak will triumph over the lazy strong
Theid duine gu bàs air sgàth an nàire
A man will die to save his honour
Thig an t-acras nas trice na aon uair
Hunger comes more than once
(things that are bound to repeat themselves, repeat themselves)
Thig crioch air an saoghal, ach mairidh gaol is ceòl
The world will pass away, but love and music will endure
Thig trì rudan gun iarraidh an t-eagal, an t-eud s an gaol
Three things come without seeking fear, jealousy and love.
Triùir a thig gun iarraidh gaol, eud is eagal
Three that come unbidden love, jealousy and fear
Gaoth ron aiteamh,
gaoth tro tholl,
s gaoth nan long a tha a dol fo sheòl
Na trì gaothan a b fhuaire a dhfhairich Fionn a-riamh
Wind before a thaw,
wind through a hole
and the wind of a ship when hoisting sail
The three coldest winds Fionn (MacCumhail/McCool, the ancient Gaelic
hero) ever felt
Fithich dubha Mhilifiach,
piatan Cnoc Bhàin,
faoileagan a' Chluain,
ruadh-chearcan Baile an Thodair,
cabair fhada a' Chonfhadhaich,
gearran beaga Baile a' Chonais
Black ravens from Milifiach,
pet lambs from Knockbain,
gulls from Clune,
red hens from Balintore,
long poles from Convinth,
little hares from Balconish
Bior a d'dhorn na fàisg,
easbhuidheachd ri d' nàmhaid na ruisg
Ri gearradh-sgian a d' fheol na èisd,
beisd nimheil ri d' bheò na duisg
A thorn in thy grasp, do not squeeze,
thy wants to thine enemy do not bare
The dagger's point to thy flesh do not hear,
a venomous reptile do not rouse
Cur is cathadh am Bealach Dearg, sneachd is reòthadh an Càrn a' Bhalg,
Cùl ri gaoith air Làirig Bhealaich, grian gheal am Maoilinn
Drifts and storms at Bealach Dearg, snow and frost at the Cairnwell
Back to the wind at Làirig Bhealaich, bright sun at Moulin
Cha do bhris deagh urram ceann duine riamh
Agus is mòr-am-beud a bhi uair 's am bith as aonais
Due civility never broke a man's head
And great the pity to be at any time without it
Bracaist am Baile Chloichrìgh
Lunch an Dail na Ceàrdaich
Dìnneir an Dail Chuinnidh
is a' bhanais ann an Ràt
Breakfast at Pitlochry
Lunch in Dalnacardoch
Dinner in Dalwhinnie
And the wedding in Raitts!
(A day's coaching trip from Atholl to Badenoch)
Tha cóig bothan an Loch Abar,
cóig gasgan ann am Bàideanach 's
cóig cóigean ann an Srath Éireann
There are five boths in Lochaber,
five gasgs in Badenoch and
five cóigs in Strathdearn.
The five coigs in Strathdearn are
Coignafearn,
Coignascallan,
Cóig na Sìthe,
Cóig a' Mhuilinn and
Cóig nam Fionndaraich
The five boths in Lochaber are
Bohenie,
Bohuntine,
Bolyne,
Both Chàsgaidh and
Both Lugha
Does anyone know the five gasgs in Badenoch?
Tha còig còigimh an Eirinn,
agus tha còig còigimh an Srath Eireann,
ach is fheàrr aon chòigeamh na h-Eireann
na còig còigimh Srath Eireann
There are five fifths in Ireland
and five fifths in Strathdearn (Irelands Strath),
but better is one-fifth of Ireland
than the five fifths of Strathdearn
Tha taobh dubh is taobh bàn air,
mar a bh' air bàta Mhic Iain Gheàrr
He has a black side and a white side
like the boat of the son of John Kerr
(Mac Iain Gheàrr, or John Kerr's son in *nglish was a Hebridean pirate
whose galley was black on one side and white on the other, so that it
would be mistaken for another boat when returning from pirating.)
An uair a bhios sinn ri òrach,
bidheadhmaid ri òrach
'S nuair a bhios sinn ri maorach,
bidheadhmaid ri maorach
When we are seeking gold in abundance,
let us be seeking gold in abundance;
And when we are seeking bait,
let us be seeking bait
Balach, is balgaire tighearna,
dithis nach còir a leigeil leòtha.
Buail am balach air a charbad,
is buail am balgair air a shròin.
A conceited fellow and a laird's tyke,
two who should not be allowed their own way.
Strike the knave on the neck, and knock the tyke on the nose.
Cha 'n eil mi nam sgoileir,
's cha 'n àill leam a bhi,
Ma 'n d'thuairt a mhadadh-ruadh
ris a mhadadh-allaidh.
I am not a scholar, and don't wish to be.
As the fox said to the wolf.
Ith aran, sniamh muran is bi thu am bliadhn' mar bha thu'n uraidh
Eat bread and twist bent and thou this year shalt be as thou wert last
Michilín
bloody slack, so I've gathered together a few Gaelic proverbs from the
bowels of my computer for you to read through and memorise over the
weekend, ready for a stiff test on Monday morning.
If you see duplications, don't panic - just memorize them too.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
S ann air a shon fhèin a nì an cat crònan
Its for himself that the cat purrs
S dòcha gun deach am foghlam os cionn Mhic Cruimein
The student bettered the teacher
S e a mhuc shàmhach as motha a dh itheas
it's the quiet pig that eats the most
(When the secret culprit is unmasked!)
S e tìde a dhinnseas
Time will tell
S e tìde a dhinnseas dè thachras
Its time that will tell what happens
S fheàrr a bhith dhìth a chinn na a bhith a dhìth an fhasain
It is better to be without your head than without style
S fheàrr am bonnach beag le beannachd na am bonnach mòr le mallachd
better the small scone with blessing than the large scone with cursing
S fheàrr caraid sa chùirt na crùn san sporan
a friend in court is worth more than crowns in the purse
S fheàrr iasg beag na bhith gun iasg idir
A little fish is better than no fish at all
S iomadh nì a chailleas fear na h-imrich
Tthe man that flits (moves house) loses much
S math an sgàthan sùil caraid
A friend's eye is a good mirror
A bheairt sin a bhios cearr,
's e foighidinn is fhear a dheanamh ris.
The loom or engine that has gone wrong,
patience is best for putting it right.
A bhliadhn' is gainne a mhin,
dean fuine mhòr aineamh.
During the year when meal is scarce,
let big bakings be few.
A bhò is miosa th' anns a bhuaile 's is cruaidh ni gèum.
The worst cow in the fold lows the loudest.
A cheud sgeul air fear an taighe is sgeul gu làth' air an aoidh
The first story from the host and tales till morning from the guest
A chuid de Fhlaitheanas dha.
His share of Paradise to him.
A chuir a ruith na cuthaig.
Sent to chase the cuckoo.(a fool's errand)
A 'chungaidh leighis is goirte,'s i
is moth' tha deaneamh feum.
The medicine or liniment that hurts the most
is generally the best healer.
A cur suas inisg, sa bun aig a bhaile.
The reproach getting spread and its root at home.
A ghaoth ag iarraidh na'm port.
The wind seeking the harbours.
A h-uile cù air a chù choimheach.
All dogs down on the strange dog.
A h-uile fear gu blàs fhèin mar a thiurt an daoine
a bha pògadh nam muic
Each to his own taste as the man
who was kissing the pig said
A h-uile rud ach an rud bu chòir.
Everything but the right thing.
A lion beagan is bheagan, mar a dh' ith an cat an sgadan
Little by little, as the cat eats the herring
A mheud 'sa gheibh thu gu math, se'n lughad a gheibh thu de'n olc.
The more you get of what's good, the less you will get of what's bad.
A mire ri cuilein, cha sgur e gus an sgal e.
Playing with a pup ends in a howl.
A' phoit a' tilgeadh air a' choire, gu 'bheil a mhàs dubh
The pot calling the cauldron black
A sgaoladh na'n sguab 's a trusadh na'n siobag.
Scattering the sheaves and gathering the straws.
A' taomadh na mara le cliabh
Bailing the sea with a creel
A chlach a thionndaidhear tric, cha tig còinneach oirre
A rolling stone gathers no moss
A toirt fiodhrach a Loch Abar
Bringing wood to Lochaber
(whose forests were once famous - taking coals to Newcastle)
Abair ach beagan is abair gu math e
Say but little and say it well
Abair sin, nuair a chaitheas tu cruach mhòine còmhla ris.
Say that, when you have spent a stack of peats along with it.
Adhaircean fada air a chrodh a bhios anns a cheò.
Long horns on the cattle that are seen through the mist.
Air gnothaich na cuthaig.
On the cuckoo's business.
Air rèir do mheas ort fhèin 's ann a mheasas càch thu.
According as thou esteemest thyself, others will esteem thee.
Airde na daileach is isle na h-airde
The highest part of the meadow and the lowest sides of the ridges
(The best arable land)
Aithnichear an leomhan air scriob de iongann,
aithnichear duine air a chuideachd
The lion is known by the scratch of his claw,
a man will be known by his company
Am boll 'air an sgillinn is gun an sgillinn ann.
The boll of meal at a penny and no penny in hand.
Am facal a thig à Ìfrinn - 's e a gheibh, ma 's e 's mo bheir
The message from hell - give to the highest bidder
Am fear a bhios a riarachadh na maraig,
bidh an ceann reamhar eige fhèin
The man that divides the pudding
will have the thick end to himself
Am fear a bhios fad aig an aiseag,
gheibh e thairis uaireigin
The man who waits long at the ferry
will get over sometime
(Everything comes to he who waits)
Am fear a chaill a nàire is a mhodh, chaill e na bh' aige
The person who lost his propriety and his manners lost all he had
Am fear a gheibh ainm na mocheirich, faoaidh e cadal anmoch
The man who is known as an early riser can sleep late
Am fear a gheibh gach latha bàs, 's e as fhearr a bhitheas beò
The man who finds death each day is the man who lives best
Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid
He who holds his tongue keeps his friend
Am fear a labhras olc mu 'mhnaoi, tha e a cur mì-chliù air fhèin
The man who speaks ill of his wife ruins his own reputation
Am fear a phosas bean posaidh e dragh
He who marries a wife marries trouble
Am fear a tha grad gu gealladh, 's tric leis mealladh
The man who's quick to promise often misleads
Am fear a tha na thamh, tha e na leth-trom an fhearann
He who is idle is a burden on the land
Am fear a thèid a ghnàth a-mach le lìon, gheibh e eòin air uairibh
The man who always goes out with his net will catch birds sometimes
Am fear dan dàn achroich, cha tèid gu bràth a bhàthadh
Who is born to be hanged will never be drowned
Am fear is fliuche, rachadh e do'n tobair.
He who is wettest, let him go to the well.
Am fear nach cuir a shnaidhm, caillidh e chiad ghrèim
The man who puts not a knot on his thread loses the first stitch
Am fear nach dèan cur sa Mhàrt, cha bhuain e san Fhoghar
He who will not sow in March will not reap in autumn
Am fear nach gheidh na h-airm 'nam na sìth,
cha bhi iad aige 'n am a chogaidh.
Who keeps not his arms in times of peace,
will have no arms in times of war.
Am fear nach seall roimhe seallaidh e as a dheigh.
He who will not look before him will look behind him.
Am fear, is fhaide chaidh bho'n bhaile,
chual e'n ceòl bu mhilse leis nuair thill e dhachaidh.
Who farthest away e'er did roam
heard the sweetest music on returning home.
Am feur a thig a-mach sa Mhàrt,
thèid e a-staigh sa Ghiblean
March's grass is withered by April
(Don't push - go with the flow)
Am fitheach a dhèireas moch,
s ann leis a bhios sùil a bheathaich a tha sa pholl
The raven that rises early
gets the eye of the beast (trapped) in the bog
An car a bhios san t-seann mhaide, is deacair a thoirt às
The twist that is in the old stick, is hard to get out
An car a h' anns an t-seana mhaide, is duilich a thoirt as.
Straightening the bend in old wood is a difficult job.
An ceòl air feadh na fìdhle.
The music throughout the fiddle.
An làmb a bheir, s i a gheibh
The hand that gives is the hand that gets
An làmh a bheir, s i a gheibh,
mar a d'thugar do dhroch dhuine
The hand that gives is the hand that gets,
except when given to a bad man
An leanabh a dh'fhàgar dha fhèin,
cuiridh e a mhàthair gu nàire
The child who is left to himself
will bring shame to his mother
An luigh nach fhaighear cha'n ì a chobhras.
The herb that cannot be found will not give relief.
An neach nach cìnn na chadal,
cha chìnn e na dhuisg.
He who will not prosper in his sleep
will not prosper when awake.
An nì a thig leis a ghaoith,
falbhaidh e leis an uisge
What comes with the wind
will go with the water
An nì chì na big, s e nì na big
What the little ones see, the little ones do
An ni 's an teid dàil theid dearmaid.
What is delayed will be forgotten.
An ràmh is fhaisg air laimh, iomair leis
The oar that's nearest at hand, row with it
An ràthad fada glan, is an ràthad goirid salach.
The long clean road, and the short dirty road.
An rud a dh'fhalbhas chan e d'fhonis
What is gone, or goes isn't sufficient
An rud a nithear gu math, chithear a bhuil.
What is well done will be shown by results.
An rud a thèid fad o'n t-sùil thèid e fad o'n chrìdhe.
What goes far from the eye will go far from the heart.
(Out of sight out of mind)
An rud a thig gu dona falbhaidh e leis a ghaoith.
What is got by guile will disappear with the wind.
An rud is fhiach a ghabhail, 's fhaich e iarraidh.
If it is worth taking, it is worth asking for.
An rud nach gabh leasachadh,
's fheudar cur suas leis.
What cannot be helped
must be put up with.
(Don't cry over spilt milk)
An triuir nach fuiling an cniodachadh,
seann bhean, cearc, agus caora.
Three that won't bear caressing,
an old woman, a hen, and a sheep.
An turadh, an t-anmoch, am muir-làn, 's an Dòmhnach.
Fair weather, the evening, high water, and the Sabbath.
An uair a chluinneas tu sgeul gun dreach na creid i.
When you hear a tale that is not pleasant, do not believe it.
(Turn a deaf ear to scandal)
An uair a thèid na mèirlich a throd,
thig daoin ionraic gu n cuid fhèin
When thieves dispute,
honest men will get their own
Anail a Ghaidheil, air a mhullach!
The Gael's breathing place - on the summit!
As an teine don ghriasaich
Out of the fire, into the embers, from bad to worse
B' fhearr a bhi gun bhreith na bhi gun teagasg.
Better be without being than without instruction.
B' fhearr gun tòiseachadh na sguir gun chriochnachadh.
Better not to begin than stop without finishing.
B' i sin reul 's an oidhche dhoilleir.
That were a star on a dark night.
B' olc-an-airidh gun deanadh aimsir thioram dolaidh.
'Twere a pity that dry weather should do harm.
Bàs a' chinn-adhairt, bàs do rinn (archaic; two good types of death)
Death in bed (lit. at the bed head),
Death in battle (lit. at the spear point)
Bàthaidh toll beag long mhòr
A little hole will sink a big ship
Bàthaidh uisge teth teine
Hot water will quench fire
Be sin an conadh a chuir do 'n choille.
That were sending fuel to the wood.
(Sending coals to Newcastle)
Be sin ìm a chuir do thaigh àraich.
That were sending butter to the farmhouse.
Beiridh am beag tric air a mhòr ainmig.
The little frequent will overtake the infrequent large.
Beiridh caora dhubh uan geal.
A black ewe may have a white lamb.
Beus na tuath, far am bithear se nithear.
The manners of the folk where thou art thou must adopt
(When in Rome do as the Romans do}
B'fhearr a bhi gun bhreith na bhi gun teagasg
Better be without being than without instruction
B'fhearr gun toiseachadh na sguir gun chriochnachadh
Better not to begin than stop without finishing
Bha iasad ga ghabhail 's
ga thoirt riamh air feadh an t-saoghal.
Borrowing and lending have
always been world-wide habits.
Bheir an èigin air rud-eigin a dheanamh.
Necessity will get something done.
(Necessity is the mother of invention)
Bheir aon fhear each gu uisge
ach cha toir a dhà-dheug air òl.
One man can lead a horse to the water,
but twelve cannot make it drink.
Bheir duine beath' air èigin,
ach cha toir e rath air èigin.
A man may force a livelihood,
but he cannot force fortune.
Bheir duine glic breith bliadhna
air fear na h-aon oidhche
A wise man will form a year's judgement
from one night's knowledge of another man
Bheir eu-dochas misneachd do'n ghealtair.
Desperation will give courage to a coward.
Bheirear comhairle seachad ach cha toirear giùlan.
Council can be given, but not conduct.
Bheirinn cuid-oidhche dha
ged a bhiodh ceann fir fo 'achlais
I would give him food and lodging for the night
even if he had a man's head under his arm
Bhiodh sonas aig an strodhaire
na'm faigheadh e mar a chaitheadh e.
The squanderer would be happy
were he to get as he squandered
Bhith beò beathail ged nach bitheadh tu beò ach leth-uair
To live life to the full, though you would only live a half hour
Bidh an ùbhal ìs fhearr air a' mheangan is àirde.
The best apple will be on the highest bough.
Bidh cron duine cho mòr ri beinn mun lèir dha fhèin e
A mans fault will be as big as a mountain before he sees it
Bidh mìr a ghill èasgaidh air gach mèis
The smart fellows share is on every dish
Biodh earlas meirleach agad air gach neach,
ach na dean meirleach de neach idir.
Have the caution of a thief about every one,
but make no one a thief.
Bithidh an osnaich dheireanach càidhteach.
The last sigh will be painful.
Bithidh bean-mhuinntir aig an fheannaig 's an Fhoghar.
The crow has her maid-servant at harvest time.
Bithidh cron duine cho mòr ri beinn mas leir dha fhèin e.
A man's faults will be as large as a mountain before he sees them
Bithidh na gabhair bodhair 's an fhoghar.
The goats will be deaf as those who will not hear.
Bithidh sonas an lorg na caitheamh.
Felicity follows generosity.
Bòidheach, cha'n ann dàicheil.
Pretty, not plausible.
Bosd gun chur leis
Pride with nothing to back it up
Brìgh gach cluiche gu dheireadh
The essence of a game is at its end
Brisidh an teanga bhog an cneath.
A smooth tongue will blunt wrath.
(A soft answer turneth away wrath)
Bu cheart cho math leam a bhith a sgoltadh bhiorach
I would be just as happy gutting dogfish.
(i.e. I dont think much of this!)
Bu gheur an cù a bheireadh an t-earball uaithe
Sharp would the dog be that could snatch his tail from him
Bu mhath an sgàthan sùil caraid.
A friend's eye is a good looking-glass.
Bu mhath ìmpidh a choilich mu shiol a thoirt do na cearcan.
Well was the cock's petition for corn for the hens.
Buinidh urram do'n aois.
Honour belongs to old age.
Buntàta pronn us uachdar leotha,
biadh bodaich na h-Àirde
Mashed potatoes and (thick) cream,
the food of the old men of the Aird.
Ceud mìle fàilte.
A hundred thousand welcomes.
Cha be là na gaoithe là nan sgolb
The windy day is not the day for thatch-wattles
Cha bhi am bochd-soghail saoibhir.
The luxurious poor will not be rich.
Cha bhi aon duine crionna 'a measg mille amadan.
There will not be one wise man among a thousand fools.
Cha bhi fios aire math an tobair gus an tràigh e
The value of the well is not known until it goes dry
Cha bhi luathas agus grinneas an cuideachd a' cheile.
Quick and fine don't combine.
Cha bhi suaimhneas aig eucoir no seasamh aig droch-bheairt
Wrong will not rest, nor will ill-deed stand
Cha cheòl do dhuin' a bhròn uil' aithris.
It is no music to a man to recite all his woe.
Cha chinn feur air an rathad mhòr
Grass does not grow on the high road
Cha chòir an t-each glan a chur uige
The willing horse should not be spurred
Cha chuirear gad air gealladh.
A promise can never be tied or tethered.
Cha d dhùin doras nach d fhosgail doras
No door ever closed, but another opened
Cha d fhuair sùil ghionach riamh cunnradh math
A covetous eye never got a good bargain
Cha dèan Tapadh leis an fhìdhlear am fìdhlear a phàigheadh
A thank you" doesnt pay the fiddler
Cha dèan aon smeòrach samhradh
One mavis doesnt make summer
Cha dèan cas làidir nach ith brù mhòr
The strong foot will not find more than the big belly will devour
Cha dèan cat miotagach sealg
A cat in mittens wont catch mice
Cha dean cridh misgeach breug.
The inebriated heart will not lie.
Cha dèanar sagart gun fhoghlam, s cha dèan foghlam sagart
A priest should be learned, but learning wont make a priest
Cha deoch-slàint, i gun a tràghadh
Its no health if the glass is not emptied
Cha do bhris deagh urram ceann duine riamh
agus is mòr-am-beud a bhi uair 's am bith as aonais.
Due civility never broke a man's head
and great the pity to be at any time without it.
Cha do bhris facal math fiacail a-riamh
A good word never broke a tooth
Cha do bhrist fear riamh a bhogha
nach dfheum fear eile n t-sreang
No man ever broke his bow
but another man found a use for the string
Cha do chuir a ghuallain ris nach do chuir tùr thairis.
None ever set his shoulder to that did not what he sought to do.
Cha d'thug gaol luath, nach d'thug fuath clis.
Quick to love, quick to hate.
Cha mhair a' bhreug ach seal
A lie will not last for long
Cha mhisd a ghealach na coin a bhith comhartaich rithe
The moon is none the worse for the dogs barking at her
Cha mhisde sgeul mhath aithris da nair
A good tale is none the worse for being twice told
Cha 'n aithnich thu duine gus am bi do ghnothaich ris.
You will never know a man until you do business with him.
Cha 'n eil bàs fir gun ghràs fir.
There is no man's death without another man's gain.
Cha 'n eil fealladh ann cho mòr ris an gealladh gun choimhlionadh.
There is no deceit so great as a promise unfulfilled.
Cha 'n eil mòran lochd 's an crìdh a bhios a gabhail òran.
There is not much guile in the heart that is aye singing songs.
Cha 'n eil ùaill an aghaidh tairbh.
Pride is not against profit.
Cha 'n fheum an ti a shealbhaicheas an toradh am blàth a mhilleadh.
He who would enjoy the fruit must not spoil the blossom.
Cha 'n fhiach bròn a ghnàth, 's cha 'n fhiach ceòl a ghnàth.
Sorrowing always is not good, and music mirth always is not good.
Cha 'n fhiach gille gun char gus am bi do ghnothaich ris.
The man without a turn is worthless,
and the man of many turns is worthless (a "twister")
Cha 'n i a mhuc is sàimhche is lugh a dh'itheas de'n drabh.
It is not the quietest sow that eats the least.
Cha 'n uaisle duine na cheird.
No man is above his trade.
Cha nigh na tha de uisge anns a' mhuir ar càirdeas
All the water in the ocean could not wash away our kinship
Cha robh dithis riamh a fadadh teine nach do las eatarra
Two never kindled a fire but it lit between them
Cha robh math na olc riamh gun mhnathan uime
There was never good or ill without women being involved in it
Cha robh na sgeulaiche nach robh breugach.
There ne'er was a tale-bearer but was untruthful.
Cha robh naigheachd mhòr riamh nach robh na chall do dhuin'eigin.
There never was great news but was a loss to somebody.
Cha robh Samhradh riamh gun ghrian;
cha robh Geamhradh riamh gun sneachd
There never was a summer without sun;
there never was a winter without snow
Cha sgal cù roimh chnàimh
A dog yells not when hit with a bone
Cha sgeul-rùin e s fios aig triùir air
Its no secret if three know it
Cha sheas càirdeas air a lèth-chois.
Friendship will not stand on one leg.
Cha shoirbh triubhas a chur air cat
Its not easy to put trews on a cat
Cha tàinig eun glan riamh à nead achlamhainn
A clean bird never came out of a kites nest
Cha tèid nì sam bith san dòrn dùinte
Nothing can get into a closed fist
Cha tharraing tu bò an comhair a h-earball
You cannot pull a cow backwards
(There is a natural way with everything)
Cha tig an còta-glas cho math dhan h-uile fear
The grey coat doesn't suit everyone as well
(archaic, said to those who always look good; ironic)
Cha tig as a phoit ach an toit a bhios innte
No fumes from the pot but from what it contains
Cha tig olc à teine
No evil can come out of fire (which purifies)
Cha tig spilgein air fear eiginn
A person in need gets nothing
Cha toir a bhòidhchead goil air a phoit
Beauty wont boil the pot
Cha toir am fitheach an t-sùil dha isean fhèin
The raven wont give the eye (even) to his own chick
Cha toir an uaisle goil air a phoit.
Gentility will not boil the pot.
Cha toir muir no mònadh a chuid bho dhuine sona,
ach cha ghleidh duine dona allt.
Nor main nor mountain can take away from a happy man,
but the unlucky man can't dam a rivulet
Cha tuit caoran à cliabh falamh.
Peats dont fall from empty creels
Chaidh am foghlam os cionn Mhic Cruimein
The education outstripped MacCrimmon
(the student surpassed the teacher)
Chaidh theabh le creag, is theabh nach deachaidh.
Almost went over a rock and almost didn't.
Chan ann am Bòid uile a tha an t-olc;
tha cuid dheth sa Chumaradh bheag làimh ris
Not all evil is in Bute;
some is in little Cumbrae nearby
Chan ann leis a chiad bhuille thuiteas a chraobh
It is not with the first stroke that the tree falls
Chan eil air a' chruadal ach cruadhachadh ris
The only remedy for hardship is to harden to it
Chan eil air an duine sona ach a bhreith agus àrach
The contented person has no needs but to be born and brought up
Chan eil an t-each air coingheall sgìth gu bràth
The borrowed horse is never tired
(my Nova Scotian wife's favourite saying to me)
Chan eil bàs ach ruaig
There is no death but defeat
Chan eil bàs duine gun ghràs duine
No mans death is without grace
Chan eil deathach an taigh na h-uiseig
There is no smoke in a larks house
Chan eil fealladh ann cho mòr ris an gealladh gun choimhlionadh
There is no deceit so great as a promise unfullfilled
Chan eil port an asgaidh ann, mar a thuirt an seann chlàrsair
Theres no free tune, as the old harper said
Chan eil saoi air nach laigh leòn
No hero is proof against injury
Chan eil saoi gun choimeas
There is no hero without compare
Chan fhiach bròn a ghnàth,
's chan fhiach ceòl a ghnàth
Sorrowing always is not good,
and music (mirth) always is not good
Chan fhiach cuirm gun a còmhradh
A feast is no use without good conversation
Chan fhiach gille gun char,
's chan fhiach gille nan car
The man without a turn is worthless
and the man of many turns is worthless
(A man of many turns is a way to say 'a cheat')
Chan i bhò s àirde geum as mò bainne
The loudest cow is not the best milker
Chan iongnadh boladh nan sgadan a bhith
den t-soitheach sam bi iad
No wonder the vessel smells
of the herrings that it holds
Cho dall ri damh ann an ceò
As blind as an ox in mist
Cho gòrach ris na h-eòin
As thoughtless as the birds
(said of children)
Cho làidir ri Cuchulainn.
As strong as Cuchulainn.
Cho marbh ri sgadan
As dead as a herring
Cluinnidh am bodhar fuaim an airgead.
The deaf will hear the clink of money.
Coin bhadhail is clann dhaoin eile!
Stray dogs and other people's children!
Coisich gu dìreach, a mhic,
mar a thuirt an seann phartan ris a phartan òg
Walk straight, son,
as the old crab said to the young one
(do as I say, not as I do)
Cruaidh mar an fhraoch is buan mar a ghiuthas
Hard as the heather, lasting as the pine
Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho 'n d' thainig sibh
Remember the people from whom you come
(seen on gravestones)
Cùm do chù ri leigeadh
Hold back your dog till the deer falls
Dèan maorach fhad s a bhios an tràigh ann
Dig your bait while the tide is out
Dùnan math innearach, màthair na ciste-mine
A good dungheap is mother to the meal chest
Eallach mòr an duine leisg
The lazy man finds all burdens heavy.
Eiridh tonn air uisge balbh
A wave will rise on quiet water
Fada bhon t-sùil, fada bhon chridhe
Far from the eye, far from the heart
Fainne mun mheur's gun snàithne mun mhàs
A ring around the finger and not a stitch about the bum
Faodaidh fearg sealltainn a stigh air cridh an duine ghlic
ach còmhnaichidh i an cridh an amadain
Anger may look in on a wise man's heart
but it abides in the heart of a fool
Faodar an t-òr fhèin a cheannach tuille is daor
Gold itself may be too dearly bought
Far am bi bò, bidh bean,
is far am bi bean bidh buaireadh
Where you find a cow you find a woman,
and where there is a woman there is trouble
Far am bi fearg bidh bruidhinn,
is às a' bhruidhinn thig tuasaid!
Where there is anger there are words
and where there are words there is a brawl!
Far an taine n abhainn, s ann as mò a fuaim
Where the stream is shallowest, it is noisiest
Fear gu aois, is bean gu bàs
A son is a son until he comes of age;
a daughter is a daughter all her life
Fear sam bith a loisgeas a mhàs,
s e fhèin a dhfheumas suidhe air
Whoever burns his backside
must himself sit upon it
(Constantly said by my Nova Scotian wife to our kids!)
Feuch gu bheil do theallach fh?in sguaibte,
ma's tog thu luath do choimhearsnaich
See that your own hearth is swept
before you lift your neighbour's ashes
Feumaidh an talamh a chuid fhèin
The earth (ie, the grave) will get its share
Fuil gu fichead, comhdhaltas gu ceud
Blood to the twentieth (degree),
fosterage to the hundredth
(An old Highland custom was to exchange children for a
few years top enhance friendship bonds. A foster brother
was considered far closer and therefore owed more
obligation than a blood brother)
Furain an t-aoigh a thig, greas an t-aoigh tha falbh
Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest
Gabhaidh an connadh fliuch, ach cha ghabh a chlach
Wet fuel may kindle, but a stone never will
Gabhaidh fear na sròine mòire a h-uile rud ga ionnsaigh fhèin
The man with a big nose thinks everyone talks of it
Gach cùis gu cùmhnant
Let every business be done by agreement
Gach madadh air a mhadadh choimheach
Every dog sets upon the stranger dog
Ge be thig gun chuireadh, suidhidh e gun iarraidh
Who comes uninvited will sit down unbidden
Ge milis a mhil, cò dhimlicheadh o bhàrr dri i?
Honey may be sweet, but who licks it off a briar?
Ge milis am fìon, tha e searbh ri dhìol
The wine is sweet, the paying bitter
Gealladh gun a'choimhghealladh,
is miosa sin na dhiultadh
Promising but not fulfilling
is worse than refusing
Ged a chuireadh tu an t-amadan ann an amar-bruthaidh,
cha dhealaich amaideas ris
Although you would put the fool into a wine press,
foolishness will not part from him
Ged bheir thu bean o Ifrinn,
bheir i dhachaigh thu
Though you should take a wife from Hell,
yet she will bring you home
Ged dh'eignichear an seanfhacal,
cha breugaichear e
Though the old saying be strained,
it can not be belied
Ged 's fhada a-muigh Barraigh, ruigear i
Although Barra is far out, it can be reached
Gheibh as t-uaibhreach leigeadh an uair airde e
The proud will be humbled at their highest
Gheibh cearc an sgrìobain rudeigin,
is chan fhaigh cearc a chrùbain dad idir
The scraping hen will find something,
but the creeping hen will find nothing
Gheibh faidhidinn furstachd
Patience will get relief or reward
Gluais faicilleach le cupan làn
Go carefully with a full cup.
Guma fada beò thu is ceò as do thaigh!
May you be alive long and smoke from (the top of) your house
Gus an tràighear a' mhuir le cliabh,
cha bhi fear fial falamh
Until the ocean is emptied with a basket,
the generous man will never be empty-handed
Iallan fada a leathair duin eile
Long laces from another mans leather.
(Taking advantage of another)
Is ann air each èasgaidh a leigear an t-uallach
It is on the willing horse that the burden is laid
Is ann an ceann bliadhna a dhinnseas iasgair a thuiteamas
It is at the years end that the fisher can tell his luck
Is ann den aon chlò an cathdath
The tartan is all of the one stuff
Is àrd ceann an fhèidh sa chreachann
Lofty is the deers head on the top of the mountain
Is bean-taighe n luchag air a taigh fhèin
The mouse is mistress in her own house
Is buidhe le amadain imrich
Fools are fond of flitting
(this idiomatic use of buidhe crops up elsewhere in Gaelic)
Is coma le fear nam bròg càite an cuir e a chas
The shod man cares not where he puts his foot
Is coma leis an rìgh Eoghain,
ach is coma le Eoghain co-dhiù
The king doesnt like Ewen,
but Ewen couldnt care less
Is diù nach gabh comhairle,
agus is diù a ghabhas a h-uile comhairle
He is foolish who won't take advice,
and he is foolish who takes all advice
Is e n t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach
The learning in youth is the pretty learning
Is e rìgh nan uamhas am bàs
Death is the king of terrors
Is fad an oidhche gu latha do dhfhear na droch mhnatha
The night is long for the husband of a bad wife
Is fheàrr a bhloigh bheag le beannachd
na a bhloigh mhòr le mollachd
The little thing with a blessing is better
than the large one with a curse
Is fheàrr bloigh bheag le bheannachd,
na bloigh mòr le mallachd
Better a small portion with a blessing
than a large portion with a cursing
Is fheàrr caraid s a chùirt
na crùn s a sporan
Better a friend at court
than a crown (five shillings) in the purse
(Scots Gaelic)
Is feárr carad s a g-cúirt
na bonn sa sparán
Better a friend at court
than a halfpenny in the purse
(Irish Gaelic)
Is fheàrr còmhairl na thrath na tiodhlac fadalach
Timely advice is better than a late gift
Is fheàrr na'n t-òr sgeul air inns' air chòir
Better than gold is the tale well told
Is fheàrr teicheadh math na droch fhuireach
Better a good retreat than a bad stand
Is fheàrr teine beag a gharas
na teine mòr a loisgeas
The little fire that warms is
better than the big fire that burns
Is furasda dh'an fhear eisdeachd beum
a thoar dh'an fhear labhairt.
It is easy for the listening man
to give taunt to the speaking man
Is i mhàthair bhrisg a nì n nighean leisg
The active mother makes the lazy daughter
Is ioma nì a chailleas fear na h-imrich
Many a thing drops from the man who often flits
("to flit" - Scots for "to move house")
Is ladarna gach cù air a shitig fhèin
Every dog is bold on his own midden
Is luath fear doimeig air fàire,
latha fuar earraich
Swift is the sluts husband over the hill,
on a bleak day in Spring
Is luath fear na droch mhnatha
air a mhachair Uibhistich
Fast goes the man of the thriftless wife
upon the Uist machair
(for she clothes him badly)
Is math an còcaire an tacras
Hunger is a good cook
Is math an sgàthan sùil caraide
A friends eye is a good looking-glass
Is minig a bha 'n donas daicheil
The Devil is often attractive
Is minig a thàinig comhairle ghlic à ceann amadain
It is often that wise counsel came from a fools head
Is miosa seo nan t-alum!
This is worse than the alum
(said of a food or drink with an exceptionally bad flavour)
Is mò làn do shùla na làn do bhroinn
Your eyes are bigger than your tummy
(nominative of broinn is "brù")
Is mór stàth na h-Àirde do Mhac Shimidh
Lord Lovat benefits greatly from the Aird
Is obair-là duine a thiodhlacadh
Its a days work to bury a man
Is sleamhainn leac doras an taigh mhòir
The chiefs house has a slippery doorstep
Is treasa dithis a dol thar àn àtha na fad o chèile
Two should stay together when crossing a ford
Is truagh a bhantrach a phiob
Poor is the bagpipe when widowed
Is uaisle am breid na toll
A patch is better than a hole
Is ùrachadh atharrachadh
Change is refreshing (a change is as good as a rest)
Lean gu dlùth ri cliù do shinnsre
Follow closely to the reputation of your ancestors
Luathaid gu deanamh maille
Too much rush causes delay
Mol an latha math mu oidhche
Praise the good day at the close of it
Mollaidh an t-each math e fhein
The good horse will praise itself
Na biasta beag a deanamh mar dh'fhaodas iad;
na biasta mor ag itheadh nam biasta beag
The little beasts doing as best they may;
the big beasts eating the little beasts
Na las sop nach urrainn duit féin a chuir as
Do not light a fire that you cannot yourself put out
Na sir 's na seachainn an cath
Neither seek nor shun the fight
Na tog mi gus an tuit mi
Don't lift me up until I fall
Na toilich do mhiann gus am feuch thu do sporan
Check your purse before you please yourself
Na toir bó á Paibeil 's na toir bean á Boighreigh (Uist)
Don't take a cow from Paible or a wife from Boreray
Nach gul i seachd uairean mus ruith an t-earrach
She will lament seven times before the spring is over
(don't be in a rush to get things done)
Nas fheàrr Gàidhlig briste na Beurla cliste
Better broken Gaelic than nimble English
Nì an imrich thric an àirneis lom
Frequent flitting bares the furnishing
Nì òigear leisg bodach brisg
A lazy youth will make an active old man
Nuair a thig Rocabarra ris,
is dual gun tèid an saoghal a sgrios
When Rocabarra appears again,
the world is doomed to destruction
(Rockabarra is an island that will
rise from the ocean one day)
Nuair as teinne an taod,
's ann as dualtaiche dha bhriseadh
When the rope is at its tightest,
it is most likely to break
(Relates to personal stress)
Nuair is mo a fhuair mi,
'sann is lugha bha agam
The more I got, the less I had
Rud nach cluin cluas cha ghluais cridhe
That which the ear doesn't hear won't stir the heart
Rud nach fhaic sùil, cha gluais e chridhe
Out of sight, out of mind (lit. out of heart)
Ruigidh an ro-ghiullachd air an ro-ghalar
The best of nursing may overcome the worst disease
Ruigidh each mall muileann,
ach feumaidh fear fuireach a bhriseas a chas
A slow horse will reach the mill,
but the one that breaks his leg must stay where he is
'S ann an àiteachan eile a gheibh sibh lorg air ar caraidean
It's in strange places that we find our friends
'S e n t-ionnsachadh òg an t-ionnsachadh bòidheach
The learning in youth is the pretty learning
Saoilidh an duin air mhisg gum bi a h-uile duin air mhisg ach e
fhèin
The drunk man thinks himself the only one sober
Seachnaidh duin a bhràthair, ach cha sheachain e choimh-earsnach
A man may do without a brother, but not without a neighbour
Seòladair an Acha Mhóir
An Achmore sailor (Someone not up to the job)
(Achmore is an inland area of the Isle of Lewis)
Socraichidh am pòsadh an gaol
Love is soon cooled by marriage
Suirghe cein is posadh am bun na h-ursainn
Distant courting, and marrying close at hand (at the door posts)
Suirghe fada bhon taigh, s pòsadh am bun an dorais
Go courting afar, but marry next door
Sùrd le Suaineart! Chaidh Àird nam Murchan a dholaidh!
Let Sunart rejoice! Ardnamurchan has been ruined!
(Ard nam murchan = "Headland of the sea hounds")
Tachraidh na daoine, ach cha tachair na cnuic
Men will meet, but the hills will not
Tagh do chomhluadar ma'n tagh thu do dheoch
Choose your company before you choose your drink
Tart an dèidh an òil, bròn an dèidh an airgid
Thirst after drinking, sorrow after money
(ie riches - nothing lasts for ever
Teagasg ga thoirt do mhnaoi bhuirb, mar bhuille ùird air iarunn fuar
Scolding a scold is like hammering cold iron
Teine chaoran is gaol ghiullan - cha do mhair iad fada riamh
A fire of broken peat, and a boys love do not last
"Tha biodh is ceol an seo!" mar a thuirt a madadh ruadh, 's e ruith
air falbh leis a phiob.
"Here's both meat and music!" as the fox said when he ran away with
the bagpipes.
Tha a mheòir as dèidh na sgait
His fingers are after the skate
(the skate's flesh makes your fingers sticky)
(a bad piper - his fingers stick to the chanter)
Tha iomadh doigh air cu a mharbhadh gun a thachadh le im
There are many ways of killing a dog besides choking him with butter.
Tha iongantas air a chat earball a bhith air
The cat wonders at its own tail
Theid a t-anfhann dichiollach thar an laidir leisg
The diligent weak will triumph over the lazy strong
Theid duine gu bàs air sgàth an nàire
A man will die to save his honour
Thig an t-acras nas trice na aon uair
Hunger comes more than once
(things that are bound to repeat themselves, repeat themselves)
Thig crioch air an saoghal, ach mairidh gaol is ceòl
The world will pass away, but love and music will endure
Thig trì rudan gun iarraidh an t-eagal, an t-eud s an gaol
Three things come without seeking fear, jealousy and love.
Triùir a thig gun iarraidh gaol, eud is eagal
Three that come unbidden love, jealousy and fear
Gaoth ron aiteamh,
gaoth tro tholl,
s gaoth nan long a tha a dol fo sheòl
Na trì gaothan a b fhuaire a dhfhairich Fionn a-riamh
Wind before a thaw,
wind through a hole
and the wind of a ship when hoisting sail
The three coldest winds Fionn (MacCumhail/McCool, the ancient Gaelic
hero) ever felt
Fithich dubha Mhilifiach,
piatan Cnoc Bhàin,
faoileagan a' Chluain,
ruadh-chearcan Baile an Thodair,
cabair fhada a' Chonfhadhaich,
gearran beaga Baile a' Chonais
Black ravens from Milifiach,
pet lambs from Knockbain,
gulls from Clune,
red hens from Balintore,
long poles from Convinth,
little hares from Balconish
Bior a d'dhorn na fàisg,
easbhuidheachd ri d' nàmhaid na ruisg
Ri gearradh-sgian a d' fheol na èisd,
beisd nimheil ri d' bheò na duisg
A thorn in thy grasp, do not squeeze,
thy wants to thine enemy do not bare
The dagger's point to thy flesh do not hear,
a venomous reptile do not rouse
Cur is cathadh am Bealach Dearg, sneachd is reòthadh an Càrn a' Bhalg,
Cùl ri gaoith air Làirig Bhealaich, grian gheal am Maoilinn
Drifts and storms at Bealach Dearg, snow and frost at the Cairnwell
Back to the wind at Làirig Bhealaich, bright sun at Moulin
Cha do bhris deagh urram ceann duine riamh
Agus is mòr-am-beud a bhi uair 's am bith as aonais
Due civility never broke a man's head
And great the pity to be at any time without it
Bracaist am Baile Chloichrìgh
Lunch an Dail na Ceàrdaich
Dìnneir an Dail Chuinnidh
is a' bhanais ann an Ràt
Breakfast at Pitlochry
Lunch in Dalnacardoch
Dinner in Dalwhinnie
And the wedding in Raitts!
(A day's coaching trip from Atholl to Badenoch)
Tha cóig bothan an Loch Abar,
cóig gasgan ann am Bàideanach 's
cóig cóigean ann an Srath Éireann
There are five boths in Lochaber,
five gasgs in Badenoch and
five cóigs in Strathdearn.
The five coigs in Strathdearn are
Coignafearn,
Coignascallan,
Cóig na Sìthe,
Cóig a' Mhuilinn and
Cóig nam Fionndaraich
The five boths in Lochaber are
Bohenie,
Bohuntine,
Bolyne,
Both Chàsgaidh and
Both Lugha
Does anyone know the five gasgs in Badenoch?
Tha còig còigimh an Eirinn,
agus tha còig còigimh an Srath Eireann,
ach is fheàrr aon chòigeamh na h-Eireann
na còig còigimh Srath Eireann
There are five fifths in Ireland
and five fifths in Strathdearn (Irelands Strath),
but better is one-fifth of Ireland
than the five fifths of Strathdearn
Tha taobh dubh is taobh bàn air,
mar a bh' air bàta Mhic Iain Gheàrr
He has a black side and a white side
like the boat of the son of John Kerr
(Mac Iain Gheàrr, or John Kerr's son in *nglish was a Hebridean pirate
whose galley was black on one side and white on the other, so that it
would be mistaken for another boat when returning from pirating.)
An uair a bhios sinn ri òrach,
bidheadhmaid ri òrach
'S nuair a bhios sinn ri maorach,
bidheadhmaid ri maorach
When we are seeking gold in abundance,
let us be seeking gold in abundance;
And when we are seeking bait,
let us be seeking bait
Balach, is balgaire tighearna,
dithis nach còir a leigeil leòtha.
Buail am balach air a charbad,
is buail am balgair air a shròin.
A conceited fellow and a laird's tyke,
two who should not be allowed their own way.
Strike the knave on the neck, and knock the tyke on the nose.
Cha 'n eil mi nam sgoileir,
's cha 'n àill leam a bhi,
Ma 'n d'thuairt a mhadadh-ruadh
ris a mhadadh-allaidh.
I am not a scholar, and don't wish to be.
As the fox said to the wolf.
Ith aran, sniamh muran is bi thu am bliadhn' mar bha thu'n uraidh
Eat bread and twist bent and thou this year shalt be as thou wert last
Michilín
