Nípa deoladacht acht bid fiach.

(will-not-be * favour * but * will-be * debt)

There are no favours without debts.

This is found in the Würzburg Glosses (ca. 750 AD), where it glosses “non secundum gratiam sed secundum debitum”. A modern take on this might be “there are no free lunches.”

Topics: Maxims & Wise Counsel