Nít lia Lagin rúni.

(they are not * more numerous * Leinstermen * than secrets)

There are as many secrets as there are Leinstermen. The secrets of the Leinstermen are as numerous as they are.

This is a proverbial saying imbedded in the tale “Orgain Denna Ríg”. Its true origin is a bit mysterious, but it is interesting that versions of this formula have persisted down to the present day in Irish:

Ní lia duine ná barúil. = There are as many opinions as there are people. So many men, so many minds.

Ní lia tír ná nós. = There are as many customs as countries.

But then, the Roman comic playwright Terence wrote “Quot homines tot sententiae” (There are as many opinions as there are people) more than two thousand years ago!

Topics: Proverbial Sayings