Maxims & Wise Counsel

Tosach eólais imchomarc.

(beginning * of knowledge * inquiry)

Questioning is the beginning of knowledge.

It ferr airli oldás airle...

It ferr airli oldás airle.
It ferr cíalla oldás cíall.
It ferr gáesa oldás gáes.

(they are * better * counsels * than * counsel / they are * better * reasonings * than * a reasoning / they are * better * intelligences * than * an intelligence)

Many counsels are better than one.
Many reasonings are better than one.
Many intelligences are better than one.

Ní ar lín óc brister cath.

(not * according to * number * of warriors * is broken * a battle)

Numbers alone don’t win a battle.

Gonas géntair, marnas mérthair.

(who slays * will be slain * who betrays * will be betrayed)

Whoever slays will be slain, whoever betrays will be betrayed.

Maín ar mug...

Maín ar mug, rún do mnaí,
mairg do-gní cechtar n-aí.

(wealth * upon * a slave * secret * to * a woman / alas * (who) does * either * one)

Wealth to a slave, a secret to a woman,
woe to whomever gives either.

In bith-sa is bith cáich ar uair.

(the * world - emphatic * is * world * of each one * in turn)

This world belongs to each generation in turn.

Suí coisc cach suí.

(a sage * of correction * every * sage)

Every sage is an admonishing sage.

Gainithir búan ó ambúan.

(is born * lasting * from * unlasting)

The lasting is born of the transient.

Do-berar faill for bec mbúar.

(is given * neglect * on * fewness * of cattle)

A small herd gets neglected. (Size matters?)

Díglach cach ndaer.

(vengeful * every * servile one)

Every ignoble person is vengeful.