PROVERBS — CORK

(from Mr. Daniel McCabe, Banteer)

43. Deunann gach moch a ghnó, agus ní le héirghe
doich é.

Every early (riser) does his business,
but it is not by rising too early.

44. Dlighe na hiasachd, an t-iarratach do
bhriseadh.

The law of lending (is) to break the
borrower.

45. Do chaithfeadh aon neach airgead, agus is
fear gasta chnuasaigheas é.

Anyone may spend money, but it is a
smart man that gathers it.

46. Is fada bheidh do ghníomhartha féin bais-
dighthe ort.

Your own deeds will be long baptized
on you.

47. Is fada deasgacht droich-bheirte.

Long are the dregs of an ill deed.

48. Is feár súil le beul na con 'ná súil
le beul na huamha.

Better expect from the hound's mouth
than from the grave's mouth.

49. Feudann cat a chlumh do lighe agus feuchain
ar an rígh.

A cat may lick its fur and look at the
king.

50. Fuachd na slinneán bhreacas na luirgne.

The coldness of the shoulders mottles
the shins.

51. Is fuar an rud clú gan caraid.

Fame without friend is a cold thing.

52. Is beag é toradh bó aonair.

Small is the profit of a single cow.

53. Is binn beul bhíos iadhta.

Musical is the mouth that is wont to
be closed.

54. Is dóigh le gaduidhe na gcruach gur
bradach iad an sluagh.

The thief of the stacks thinks that the
multitude are thieves.

55. Is fearr boighreán agus bainne gabhair 'ná
bheith (ag) brath ar chabhair ó neach, dá
mhéid a mhaoin.

Better flummery and goat's milk than
to expect help from anyone, how-
ever great his wealth.

56. Is fearr rith maith 'ná droich-sheasamh.

Better good running than bad standing.

57. Is fearr preabán 'ná poll, is fearr
lom 'ná leun.

Better a patch than a hole, better want
than woe.

58. Is fearr leath-bhairghin 'ná bheith gan
arán.

Better half a cake than to be without
bread.

59. Is feairrde bean leanbh, acht is misde
í dís do thoirrchis.

A woman is better of a child, but
she is the worse of two at a birth.

60. Is fearr tigh folamh 'ná droich-shealbhthóir.

Better an empty house than a bad
tenant.

61. Is foighdeach fear gan feirg.

A man without anger is patient
(indeed).

62. Is maith an sgeulaidhe an aimsir.

Time is a good story-teller.

63. Is milis dá ól é, agus is searbh dá dhíol é.

It is sweet to drink and better to pay.

64. Is minic rug na cleitidhe an feoil leo.

It is often that the feathers took the
flesh away with them.

65. Is mór an mhaise do shean-bhróig búcla.

A buckle is a great ornament to an
old shoe.

66. Is minic do rin' searraichín gioballach
each bhreaghdha chumasach.

A rough colt has often turned out a
fine strong horse.

67. Is minic d'fhan fear sonuidhe le seun, agus
do bheir fear donuidhe do-léim.

Often has a fortunate man waited for
(more) prosperity, while an unfortu-
nate man takes an ill leap.

68. Is úr stiall do leathar dhuine eile.

A stripe of another's leather is fresh.

69. Teachdaireachd an féich ó'n airc, teach-
daire easumhal nár tháinig ar ais.

The errand of the raven from the ark,
a disobedient messenger that did
not come back.

70. Ní'l tuile ná trághann acht uile na
ngrás.

There is no tide that does not ebb but
the tide of grace.

71. Má théidhir ag iomarsgáil leis an
salchar, bíodh shíos nó shuas, saileochthar
thú.

If you go wrestling with dirt, whether
up or down, you will be dirtied.

72. Má oireann an capín duit, caith é.

If the cap fits you, wear it.

73. Má's fuar an teachtaire, is fuar an
freagra.

If the messenger is cold, the answer
is cold.

74. Is mó (iomdha) rud do mheabhruigheann
an díomhaointeas.

Idleness muses many things.

75. Ní bhíonn gort arbhair gan diasach
fiadha.

There is no cornfield without wild
ears.

76. Ní theagann cómhnach ar chloich roithleáin.

Moss does not come on a rolling stone.

77. Ní'l aon mhaith ag caoineadh, 'n uair
imthigheann an tsochraid.

It is of no avail to lament when the
funeral departs.