Béodae cach bráthair fri araile.

(vigorous * every * brother * against * another)

Brothers (or, kinsmen) are energized when they compete against one another.

This maxim was quoted in the “Annals of the Four Masters” for the year 1581, when Cineál Eoghain and Cineál Chonaill came to blows. There were close kinsmen on both sides and the battle was fierce, which led the annalist to remark “ro dearbhadh an dearbh-aruscc airdearc don chur sa, .i. beodha gach brathair fri aroile”. (The famous maxim was proved in this instance, that is, ‘vigorous is every brother against another’.) A Scottish Gaelic saying encapsulates a similar observation: “Is e farmad a nì treabhadh.” (Competitiveness is what gets the plowing done.)

Topics: Maxims & Wise Counsel