Is gnáth lassar hi tiarmoracht diad.

Is gnáth lassar hi tiarmoracht diad.

(is * usual * flame * in * accompaniment * of smoke)

Where there’s smoke there’s fire.

This is found in the Milan Glosses (40c1), where it paraphrases “proprium fumi est ut ignem nuntiat secuturum”. A modern version of the old saying, which Robert MacAdam collected in East Ulster in the 19th century, runs:

“Cha dual toit gan teine ’s cha dual teine gan daoine.”
It’s unusual to have smoke without fire and it’s unusual to have fire without people.

Topics: Proverbial Sayings