Maxims & Wise Counsel

Dá trian do mhíne re mnáibh...

Dá trian do mhíne re mnáibh
is re h-echlachuib urláir,
re h-aes dána dénta duan;
nárbhat dian re daescar-shlúagh.

(two * third * of * gentleness * to * women /
and * to * attendants * of floor /
to * folk * of poetry * of making * songs /
be not * severe * to * lowly people)

Two thirds of your gentleness to women,
and to domestic servants,
and to the poets who make songs;
don’t be hard on common folk.

Maircc chuindges ní for carait...

Maircc chuindges ní for carait
minab lainn leis a tabairt;
is é déde nostá de,
miscais ocus oirbire.

(woeful * who requests * thing * upon * friend /
if not is * desire * with him * its * giving /
is * it * two things * which he has * of it /
hatred * and * reproach)

Woe to him who asks a friend
for something he doesn’t wish to give;
the two things he gets for it
are ill feeling and rebuke.

Láech cach fer co forragar.

(warrior * every * man * until * is overcome)

Every man is a hero until he meets defeat.

Is búaine blad iná seóid.

(is * more lasting * fame * than * wealth)

Fame is more lasting than wealth.

Bes ildánach bid ildírech.

(who [will be / is] multi-skilled [will be / is always] multi-honour-priced)

Whoever is highly skilled is always highly valued.

Ná hob éim nachit·tair aneim.

(do not * refuse * timely * that may not come to you * untimely)

Don’t refuse the timely lest you meet the untimely.

Cáid cech rét mad fri canóine comúaimm.

(holy * each * thing * if be * with * scripture * harmony)

Everything that agrees with scripture is holy.

Cendaig in mes mór...

Cendaig in mes mór
ocus tess in gréin;
cendaig ith is blicht
for slicht cech ríg réil.

(buy * the * mast * great/
and * warmth * of the * sun/
buy * grain * and * milk/
on * track * of every * king * shining)

Earn fruits and nuts in plenty
and the heat of the sun;
earn grain and milk
in the way of every famous king.

Ná luig, ná luig...

Ná luig, ná luig
fót fora taí:
gairit bía fair,
fota bía faí.

(not * swear * not * swear/
sod * on which * you are/
short * you will be * on it/
long * you will be * under it)

Do not swear, do not swear
by the sod on which you stand;
a short time you’ll be on it,
a long time you’ll be under it.

Ná hinguib, ná hindsaig ág.

(do not * avoid * do not * seek * fight)

Neither shun nor seek a quarrel.