Irish Proverbs

A Collection of Irish Proverbs, Old and New

Laurence Flanagan

• Publisher: Gill Books
• Year: 2001
• Print ISBN: 9780717131662
• eBook ISBN: 9780717157655
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Languages
• Index: Social Sciences

There are millions of Irish proverbs, old and new, and Laurence Flanagan has made a wide-ranging collection of these proverbs, some well known, some obscure, and has provided both Irish and English text for them.

ADVICE

1

Comhairle charaid gan a h-íarraidh, chan fhuair si a ríamh an meas budh chóir di.A friend’s advice not asked for was never valued as it deserved. [MA]

2

Is olc nach ngabhaidh comhairle, acht is míle measa a ghabhas gach uile chomhairle.He is bad that will not take advice, but he is a thousand times worse who takes every advice. [MA]

3

An té ná gabhann cómhairle gabhadh sé cómhrac.Let him who will not have advice have conflict. [OL]

4

Minic bhí duine ’na dhroch-chómhairlidhe dho féin agus ’na chómhairlidhe mhaith do dhuine eile.A man is often a bad adviser to himself and a good adviser to another. [OL]

APPETITE

5

Maith an mustárd an sliabh.The mountain is a good mustard. [OL]

6

Is maith a t-annlann an t-ocras.Hunger is the best sauce. [OL]

APPLICATION

7

Ní fhaghann cos ’na comhnaidh aon nídh.The foot at rest meets nothing. [B]

8

Ma bhris tu an cnámh, char dhiúghail tu an smior.Though you have broken the bone you have not sucked out the marrow. [MA]

9

Is fearr rith maith ná seasamh fada.A good run is better than a long stand. [MA]

10

Budh chóir an dán a dheanadh go maith air tús, mur is iomad fear millte a thig air.A poem ought to be well made at first, for there is many a one to spoil it afterwards. [MA]

11

Is namhuid an cheird gan a foghluim í.A trade not (properly) learned is an enemy. [MA]

12

’Si leith na ceirde an úirleais.The tools are the half of the trade. [MA]

13

Is fearr díomhaineach ná ag obair a n-asgaidh.Better be idle than working for nothing. [MA]

14

Buail an t-iarann fad a’s ta se teith.Strike while the iron is hot. [MA]

15

Cha ghabhann dorn druidte seabhac.A shut fist will not catch a hawk. [MA]

16

Chan fhaghthar saill gan saothar.Fat is not to be had without labour. [MA]

17

Sé an t-éun maidne a gheabhas a phéideog.It is the morning bird that catches the worm. [MA]

18

Is trian de’n obair, tús a chur.Making a beginning is the one-third of the work. [MA]

19

Dean sin mur a bheidheadh teine air do chraicionn.Do it as if there were fire on your skin. [MA]

20

An té is luaithe lamh, bíodh aige an gadhar bán ’s a fiadh.He that has the quickest hand, let him have the white hound and the deer. [MA]

21

Is fearr éirigh moch ná suidhe mall.Early rising is better than sitting up late. [MA]

22

Faghann iarraidh iarraidh eile.The seeking for one thing will find another. [MA]

23

Ni’l ó mheud an phráinn nach lughaide na gnothuidhe.The greater the hurry the less the work. [MA]

24

Trom an rud an leisge.Laziness is a load. [OL]

25

Cuir luath is buin luath.Early sow, early mow. [OL]

26

As an obair do fachtar an fhoghluim.Learning comes through work. [OL]

27

Gnáthamh na hoibre an t-eólas.Knowledge comes through practice. [OL]

28

Gibé olc maith an ealadha, is taithighe néann máighistreacht.Be one’s trade good or bad, it is experience that makes one an adept at it. [OL]

29

I gcosaibh na con do bhíonn a cuid.A greyhound finds its food with its feet. [OL]

30

Ní fhaghann cos ’na comhnaidhe dada.A foot that stirs not gets nothing. [OL]

BEAUTY

31

Ailneacht mná ionraice guidheann cuntus cruaidh.The beauty of a chaste woman excites hard dispute. [B]

32

Bidh borb faoi sgéimh.A fierce person is often in beauty’s dress. [B]

33

Is minic a bhí grána geanamhail, agus dathamhail dona.Often was ugly amiable and pretty sulky. [B]

34

Leis a mhéin a bhréagtar ach uile nidh, acht béidh an sgiamh ag an té ar geineadh dó í.Beauty is the possession of him to whom it is born, but it is manner that captivates every one. [M]

35

Biann duilleabhar áluinn a’s toradh searbh air chrann na sgéimhe.The tree of beauty has handsome foliage and bitter fruit. [MA]

36

Minic bhí gránna greannmhar is dathamail donaoi.Often was ugly amiable and handsome unfortunate. [OL]

37

Ní hí an bhreághthacht do chuireann an crocán a’ fiuchadh.Beauty will not make the pot boil. [OL]

BEGGING

38

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Advice
• Copyright
• About the Author
• About Gill & Macmillan