Proverbial Sayings
Is mucc remi·tuit mess.
Is mucc remi·tuit mess.
(is * a pig * that falls before * acorn crop)
He is a pig that dies before the acorns fall.
Ceilid serc ainmi ocus olc.
Ceilid serc ainmi ocus olc.
(hides * love * blemishes * and * ill)
Love conceals blemishes and bad character. Love is blind.
I n-óenchorp at·tá side.
I n-óenchorp at·tá side.
(in * in body * is * that one)
He’s only mortal. (literally, “He’s in one body.”)
Milsem cormae cétdeoch.
Milsem cormae cétdeoch.
(sweetest * of ale * first-drink)
The first drink of ale is the sweetest.
Is ithi lochad coa lloss.
Is ithi lochad coa lloss.
(it is * eating * of a mouse * with its * tail-end)
Eating a mouse includes the tail!
Is banna ría frais ón.
Is banna ría frais ón.
(is * a drop * before * a shower * that)
That is a drop before a shower.
Fó cach tan teine.
Fó cach tan teine.
(good * every * time * a fire)
A fire is fine anytime.
Noco modmar cach n-óenbró.
Noco modmar cach n-óenbró.
(is not * effective * each * one millstone)
A single millstone is useless.
Ba deól mela a mecnaib ibair.
Ba deól mela a mecnaib ibair.
(was * sucking * of honey * out of * roots * of yew)
It would be like sucking honey from yew roots.
Ba gat imm gainem.
Ba gat imm gainem.
(was * a withe * around * sand)
It would be like tying sand with a willow shoot.