Proverbial Sayings
Oscar cách i ceird araili.
Oscar cách i ceird araili.
(ignorant * everyone * in * craft * of another)
Everyone is ignorant in another’s craft.
Cía báidit cenna ní báidit mbruighe.
Cía báidit cenna ní báidit mbruighe.
(although * expire * heads * not * expire * lands)
Although leaders vanish, lands do not.
Ní·fognai lám láim.
Ní·fognai lám láim.
(not serves * hand * hand)
A hand does not serve a hand.
There is no subservience between equals.
Tigedhus do bheith gan mnaoi...
Tigedhus do bheith gan mnaoi,
as iomramh luinge gan laoi.
(household * for * being * without * woman /
is * rowing * of boat * without * rudder)
A household to be without a wife
is the rowing of a rudderless boat.
Toll taobh ó bheith gan bhráthair.
Toll taobh ó bheith gan bhráthair.
(pierced / broken * side * from * being * without * brother)
A side is broken without a brother. = It is not good to stand alone.
Dlighidh coire cnáimh.
Dlighidh coire cnáimh.
(deserves * cauldron * bone)
A cauldron is entitled to a bone.
Gal chon for otrach sin.
Gal chon for otrach sin.
(battle fury * of dogs * on * dunghill * that)
That’s the sound and fury of dogs on a dung heap.
Cuirm lemm, lemlacht la catt.
Cuirm lemm, lemlacht la catt.
(beer * with me * fresh milk * with * cat)
I like beer the way a cat likes milk!
Cuilén caitt...
Cuilén caitt
nod·n-aile hé comba haitt;
ó ro·gaib míadugad
téit úait fri fíadugad.
(cub * of cat /
that you raise it * him * that it might be * pleasant /
after * it has gotten * honoring /
it goes * from you * to * acting wild)
A kitten
that you raise to be companionable;
after getting the royal treatment,
it leaves you to go off prowling!
Is dorn imm ceó.
Is dorn imm ceó.
(is * fist * around * fog)
It is like a fistful of fog.