Messam airli íargáes.

(worst * of advice * after-wisdom)

Hindsight is the worst sort of advice.

A maxim collected by Whitley Stokes and Kuno Meyer in “Archiv für celtische Lexikographie” from “The Alphabet of Cuigne mac Emoin” in the Book of Lecan, and quoted in DIL. The legal tract on contracts, “Di Astud Chor”, asks “Cía dú íarngáeso do neoch ad-cumaing codnach ina chunn chomlán?” (What is the use of belated wisdom for anyone who happens to be a sensible adult possessing perfect good sense? - trans. Neil McLeod) Compare “Ferr reconn íarcunn” in this collection.

Topics: Maxims & Wise Counsel