Search just our sites by using our customised search engine

Unique Cottages | Electric Scotland's Classified Directory

Click here to get a Printer Friendly PageSmiley

Gaelic Proverbs


As well as having a unique sense of humor, our Gaelic ancestors had the ability to see to the heart of the matter. Their system of values are revealed in the traditional "Sean-fhacail" or proverbs.
 
As an teine don ghriasaich   out of the fire, into the embers, from bad to worse
 
Luathaid gu deanamh maille   to much rush causes delay.
 
Iallan fada a lethair duin eile   Long laces from another mans leather. Taking advantage of another
 
Am fear a gheibh ainm na mocheirich, faoaidh e cadal anmoch   The man who is known as an early riser can sleep late.
 
Gheibh faidhidinn furstachd   patience will get relief or reward
 
Bosd gun chur leis   Pride with nothing to back it up
 
SW ann mu seach a sheideas na builg   The bellows blow one about; one is up today and down tomorrow.
 
Mollaidh an t-each math e fhein   The good horse will praise itself.
 
Cha tig spilgein air fear eiginn   A person in need gets nothing
 
An rud a dh'fhalbhas chan e d'fhonis   what is gone, or goes isn't sufficient.
 
Suirghe cein is posadh am bun na h ursainn   Distant courting, and marrying close at hand (at the door posts).
 
Rud nach cluin cluas cha ghluais cridhe   That which the ear doesn't hear won't stir the heart.
 
excerpts from A Genealogical History of Glendale and Neighboring communities.
 
A proverb I try and live by:
Cuimhnichibh air na daoine bho'n d'thainig sibh   Remember the people whom you come from.

Return to Scottish Historical Articles


 


This comment system requires you to be logged in through either a Disqus account or an account you already have with Google, Twitter, Facebook or Yahoo. In the event you don't have an account with any of these companies then you can create an account with Disqus. All comments are moderated so they won't display until the moderator has approved your comment.

comments powered by Disqus

Quantcast