tile reckoning (Arithmetic), and lasting, truly melodious Latin; even our [own] language, and everlasting, pleasant history these [are the things] that they will get from me, and correct Christian Doctrine.”
VII. A schoolmaster once said of a pupil “Súd é ċuġaiḃ é, agus gan fiú an ḃata aige.” In English— “There he is for you, and he has not even a stick” (lit., and he not having even a stick).
VIII. In the opening article in the first number of the Gaelic Journal, Mr. Fleming wrote—“Ar ṁuir atáid longa gan fiú an tseoil ag imṫeaċt in aġaiḋ na tuile agus na gaoiṫe.” Of which the translation is—“On sea ships, without even a sail, are going against the tide and the wind.”
I hope what I have written may be useful to readers of the Gaelic Journal.
Miċéal Pádruig Ó hIceaḋa, C.C.
PROVERBS AND POPULAR SAVINGS.
From Mr. Daniel M‘Cabe, Banteer, Cork.)
78. Ní’l luiḃ na leiġeas i n-aġaiḋ an ḃáis.
There is neither herb nor physic against death.
79. Ní rin’ mé láṁ láidir ar aon ġear riaṁ, aċd do ḋeunfainn í iaḋaḋ do’n ḃraṫadóir.
I never acted with a high hand to any man, but I would deal a closed hand to the spy.
80. Nuair stadann an síoladóir, stadann an ḟuirse, ⁊ ’nuair stadann an píobaire, stadann an port.
When the sower stops, the harrow stops, wand when the piper stops, the tune stops.
81. ’Nuair laguiġeann an láṁ, laguiġeann an gráḋ.
When the hand weakens, love weakens.
82. Árd-ríoġaċt Dé, gan duaḋ ní dual go ḃfaċtar.
God’s high kingdom, without diffi- culty, it is not likely to be attained.
83. ’Siad na seodaiḋe i gcluasa na muc iad.
They are pearls in swine’s ears.
84. Sliseoga do’n tsail ċeudna iad.
They are chips of the same beam.
85. ’Sé teaċt an tseagail é, teaċt fada mall.
It is the coming of the rye, a long late coming.
86. ’Sé orduġaḋ na cailliġe, mar is áil léi féin.
It is the old women’s order, as it pleases herself.
(from “Mac N.,” Galway.)
1. Ní hairiġṫear fosgaḋ na toime go mbíonn sí imṫiġṫe.
The shelter of the bush is not noticed till it is gone.
2. An té naċ gcleaċtann an ṁarcuiġeaċt dearmadann sé na spuir.
He who is not used to riding forgets the spurs.
3. Is maiṫ an bádóir an fear ḃíos ar an talaṁ.
The man on the land is a good boat- man.
4. Beaṫa do ḋuine a ṫoil, ḋá dtéiḋeaḋ sé (do) ċodlaḋ ’n-a ṫrosgaḋ.
A man’s will is his sustenance, should he go to bed fasting.
5. Ní ṫigeann olc i dtír naċ fearrde duine éigin.
No evil comes ashore but somebody is the better of it.
6. An té ċailleas a ċuid, cailleann sé é.
He who loses his share, loses it.
7. An rud is goire do’n ċroiḋe, is é is goire do’n ḃeul.
What is nearest the heart is nearest the mouth.
8. Iṫeann cat ciuin féin im.
Even a quiet cat eats butter.
9. Ní lia tír ’ná gnás.
There are not more lands than customs.
10. Ní liaṫaiḋ tír ná gnás.
Neither land nor custom grow old.
(from Tuam)
11. Is fearr leo suaiṁneas ar ṡop ’ná buaiḋ ar ċnoc.
They prefer peace on a wisp of straw to victory on a hillside.
