Níbi lesach nach súanach.

(not-is * successful * anyone * sleepy)

No one who is sleepy is successful.

This maxim is quoted in the Laws (CIH 362.35-36, 887.13, 1442.12-25, 1899.3-4) in discussions of distraint. One of the glosses on it explains it in terms of that legal procedure: “nocha bi les og don tí bis ina suan can fasc na hathgabala do breith” (whoever remains asleep without serving notice of distrained animals does not get complete redress). As Neil McLeod has suggested, the maxim in general use was probably equivalent to “the early bird gets the worm”.

Topics: Maxims & Wise Counsel