Chapter I: Part 1

THE PROVERBS OF SCOTLAND.

"I am of opinion, Sancho," said Don Quixote, "that there is no
proverb which is not true, because they are all sentences drawn from
experience itself, the mother of all the sciences."

THE

PROVERBS OF SCOTLAND

WITH

EXPLANATORY AND ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES
AND A GLOSSARY.

BY

ALEXANDER HISLOP.

NEW EDITION.

_ENTIRELY REVISED AND SUPPLEMENTED._

EDINBURGH:
ALEXANDER HISLOP & COMPANY.
1868.

Transcriber's Note:

Minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. Dialect
spellings and inconsistent hyphenation have been retained. The oe
ligature is represented by [oe].

TO

SIR WILLIAM STIRLING MAXWELL,
BART. OF KEIR, M.P.,

"ONE DEEPLY VERSED IN PROVERB LORE,"

THE PRESENT COLLECTION OF

SCOTTISH PROVERBS

IS, BY PERMISSION,

MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

The gathering together of the Proverbs of Scotland has occupied the attention of several collectors. The earliest work on the subject which has been traced is that of Beaton, Archbishop of Glasgow, who, about the time of the Reformation, made a small collection. The definite information which we have of this work is so very slight, however, that it has been of little or no value to subsequent collectors and writers on the subject. The first collection of importance is the well-known one made by the Rev. David Fergusson, minister of Dunfermline, who was a contemporary of Archbishop Beaton. Fergusson's collection, which numbered 940 proverbs, was, all circumstances considered, a very commendable one; and it has served as a foundation to the labours of subsequent workers in the same field. The next is that of James Kelly, published in London in 1721. This volume contains nearly 3000 proverbs, and is very carefully arranged, with notes and parallel illustrations. The collection of Kelly is an able and valuable one, as he was perfectly conversant with the subject of proverbs generally; but we are compelled to agree with Motherwell, when he says that this writer's rendering of the Scottish dialect is "most barbarous;" nor do we wonder that it excited the profound contempt of Allan Ramsay, who, from his thorough knowledge of the Scottish vernacular, was openly indignant at the reputation gained by Kelly's work, and made a collection himself, which was published at Edinburgh in 1763. In a sensible but pedantic preface, which he addressed to the "Tenantry of Scotland, Farmers of the Dales, and Storemasters of the Hills," he states his reasons for issuing a work on the subject, and strongly recommends the use of proverbs, particularly among the agricultural portion of the community. After alluding to the work of Kelly as a "late large book of them, fou of errors, in a style neither Scots nor English," he goes on to say:--"As naething helps our happiness mair than to hae the mind made up with right principles, I desire you, for the thriving and pleasure of you and yours, to use your een and lend your lugs to these _guid auld says_, that shine with wail'd sense, and will as lang as the world wags. Gar your bairns get them by heart; let them hae a place among your family books; and may never a window-sole through the country be without them. On a spare hour, when the day is clear, behind a rick, or on the green howm, draw the treasure frae your pouch and enjoy the pleasant companion. Ye happy herds, while your hirdsels are feeding on the flowery braes, you may eithly mak yoursels maisters of the hale ware! How usefou it will prove to you (wha hae sae few opportunities of common clattering) when you forgather with your friends at kirk or market, banquet or bridal! By your proficiency, you'll be able, in a proverbial way, to keep up the soul of a conversation, that is baith blythe and usefou."

Nearly a hundred years elapsed before a new collection appeared, although, during that period, many editions of the works which we have mentioned were brought out to supply the demands of a proverb-loving public. In 1832, the collection formed by Andrew Henderson was published at Glasgow. It is based upon the previous books, and is a very extensive one, although in arrangement it is defective. This collection, which is more ample than the former ones, has the advantage of an elaborate historical and literary disquisition on the general subject, in the form of an introduction by the poet Motherwell, which is allowed to be one of the most interesting and comprehensive papers on proverbs which has yet appeared.

The present collection of Scottish Proverbs, the first edition of which appeared in 1862, while it is the most extensive and systematic that has yet appeared, claims to be little more than a mere mechanical compilation. It was suggested by the work of Henderson, and has been carefully collated with it, and also with the previous collections of Fergusson, Kelly, and Ramsay. Large additions have been made from various sources, such as the works of Sir Walter Scott, Galt, Hogg, and other national writers, while not a few have been picked up and registered as they fell from the lips of friends and strangers with whom the compiler came in contact.

Throughout the volume, a considerable number of notes are introduced. These notes the compiler had some hesitation in inserting, from a feeling that many of them were mere literal explanations or illustrations, conveying generally but a very poor idea of the deeper meaning which the proverbs themselves are capable of yielding; and also in deference to opinions which have been expressed as to the propriety of adding notes to a collection of proverbs at all, as every reader of intelligence is competent to put an individual construction upon each, suited to circumstances; while the very wide inferences and applications which can be extracted from many of them, render the adapting of a brief and satisfactory note, in many cases, an impossibility. As it is, however, little merit is claimed for them; and if they are found to be of no aid in facilitating an interpretation, they will, at least, tend to relieve the monotonous or catalogue effect, so to speak, which is apt to be felt by many readers when perusing works arranged in alphabetical order. In all cases where the compiler could adapt a quotation or parallel proverb, he did so in preference to inserting an original note. To apply a proverb from the collection, it is hoped that, after all, the notes will be found no worse than "Like a chip among parritch--little gude, little ill." A simple but comprehensive Glossary is appended, containing and explaining the meaning of the Scottish words to be found in the book.

Of course, in a work of this nature, it is impossible to prevent redundancies and repetitions; and when it is mentioned that the gathering and arrangement of the first edition of this little work occupied the leisure hours of six years, and a similar period during the preparation of the present, it will be readily understood that many of the faults are to be attributed to the length of time which elapsed during its compilation.

In conclusion, the compiler begs to state that the present edition of this little work differs very considerably from its predecessor. Upwards of 2000 additions, alterations, and corrections have been made upon it, most of which he is of opinion are improvements; so that the book is, practically speaking, a new one. He has also to thank the members of the press for the very flattering reception accorded to the first edition, and hopes that the new one will be found equally worthy of their commendation. To several private friends, and very many total strangers, he desires to express his acknowledgments for many valuable hints and important additions. As he is anxious that this collection should be as complete as possible, he will be most happy to receive any suggestion or addition which may occur to readers, and would respectfully solicit such with a view to their incorporation in a subsequent edition, should such be required.

EDINBURGH, _May 1868_.

SCOTTISH PROVERBS.

A' ae oo'.

Literally, "_all one wool_." "A proverbial phrase, equivalent to all
one, all to the same purpose."--_Jamieson._

A' ae oo', a' ae price.

A' are gude lasses, but where do the ill wives come frae?

"All are good maids, but whence come the bad wives?"--_Spanish._

A' are no friends that speak us fair.

"All are not friends who smile at you."--_Dutch._

A' are no thieves that dogs bark at.

A bad wound may heal, but a bad name will kill.

A bairn maun creep afore it gangs.

A bald head is sune shaved.

A bark frae a teethless dog is as gude as a bite.

A bauld fae is better than a cowardly friend.

A bawbee cat may look at a king.

A beggar's wallet is a mile to the bottom.

Because it generally contrives to contain all he gets.

"A begun turn is half ended," quo' the wife when she stuck the graip in the midden.

A jocular beginning of work, which, if it went no further, would be
long enough ere it were finished.

A beltless bairn canna lee.

"I suppose it means a child before it be so old as to wear belted
truese, will not have the cunning to invent a lie."--_Kelly._

A bird in the hand's worth twa fleeing by.

A bit but and a bit ben maks a mim maiden at the board end.

"A jocose reflection upon young maids when they eat almost nothing
to dinner, intimating that if they had not eaten a little in the
pantry or kitchen, they would eat better at the table."--_Kelly._

A bit is aften better gi'en than eaten.

A black hen can lay a white egg.

A black shoe maks a blythe heart.

"Whan a man's shoe is blackened and bedaub'd with industry, it will
procure him such a supply as will make him cheerful."--_Kelly._

A Blainslie lawin'--there's mair for meat than drink.

A blate cat maks a proud mouse.

When discipline is not enforced, subordinates are apt to take
advantage of it.

A blind man needs nae looking-glass.

A blind man's wife needs nae painting.

A blythe heart maks a bloomin' look.

A body's no broke while they hae a gude kail stock.

"When all is not lost, all can be recovered."--_English._

A bonnie bride is sune buskit, and a short horse is sune wispit.

"For little adornment is required to set forth the bride's charms;
and the smaller the horse, it is the sooner 'wispit' or
cleaned."--_Kelly._

A bonnie gryce may mak an ugly sow.

"Fair in the cradle may be foul in the saddle."--_English._

A borrowed len' should gae laughing hame.

When we return an article which has been borrowed, to its owner, we
should do it with a good grace.

About the moon there is a brugh: the weather will be cauld and rough.

"The halo seen round the moon, being a consequence of the humidity
of the atmosphere, may well betoken wet weather."--_Robert
Chambers._

A bow o'erbent will weaken.

Abundance o' law breaks nae law.

A careless watch invites the thief.

A' cats are grey in the dark.

A clean synd's better than a dirty dry.

"A clean thing's kindly," quo' the wife when she turned her sark after a month's wear.

A close mouth catches nae flees.

"A shut mouth keeps me out of strife."--_Portuguese._

A cock's aye crouse on his ain midden-head.

"A cock is valiant on his own dunghill."--_Danish._

A' complain o' want o' siller, but nane o' want o' sense.

A coward's fear maks a brave man braver.

A crackit bell will never mend.

A' cracks mauna be trew'd.

All that is heard must not be believed.

A crafty man's ne'er at peace.

A' craiks a' bears.

"Craik," to complain: great complainers wish to make others believe
that their own lot is a very hard one.

A crammed kyte maks a crazy carcase.

"A full belly sets a man jigging."--_French._

A craw will no wash white.

A crooked man should sow beans, and a woad man peas.

"The one agrees to be thick sown, the other thin."--_Kelly._

A crookit stick will throw a crookit shadow.

A croonin cow, a crawin hen, and a whistlin maid, were ne'er very chancy.

"The two first are reckoned ominous, but the reflection is on the
third, in whom whistling is unbecoming."--_Kelly._

A cuddy's gallop's sune done.

A cumbersome cur is hated in company.

A daft nurse maks a wise wean.

A day to come seems langer than a year that's gane.

A dear ship lies lang in the harbour.

A dink maiden aft maks a dirty wife.

A "dink," neat or trim, maiden often forgets her "dinkness" after
marriage.

A dish o' married love grows sune cauld.

A dog's life--muckle ease, muckle hunger.

"We have dogs' days, hunger and aise, through the blue
month."--_Irish._ The "blue month" being the interval between the
failure of the old crop of potatoes and the coming on of the new
one, commonly the month of July.

A dog winna yowl if ye fell him wi' a bane.

"Pelt a dog with bones, and you will not offend him."--_Italian._

A doucer man ne'er brak warld's bread.

A saying expressive of unqualified respect.

A drap and a bite's but a sma' requite.

Used to induce a friend to sit down to dinner or tea, meaning that
such is but a poor requital of the friend's past services.

A dreigh drink is better than a dry sermon.

A drink is shorter than a tale.

An excuse for drinking during the telling of a story.

A drudger gets a darg, and a drucken wife the drucken penny.

A willing labourer gets a day's work, and people fond of drink,
however poor they are, contrive to get it some way or other.

A dry summer ne'er made a dear peck.

"Drought never bred dearth."--_English._

A duck winna dabble aye in ae hole.

A dumb man hauds a'.

That is, figuratively, makes no disclosures.

A dumb man ne'er got land.

A dumb man wins nae law.

A loquacious advocate is more likely to gain his case than a
taciturn one.

Ae beggar's wae that anither by the gate gae.

He is sorry that another beggar should overtake him while pursuing
his calling. This feeling is not strictly confined to the begging
fraternity.

Ae fine thing needs twa to set it aff.

Ae gude friend is worth mony relations.

Ae gude turn deserves anither.

Ae gude turn may meet anither, an' it were at the brig o' London.

Meaning that a favour done may be returned at a time when least
expected, and perhaps when very much required.

Ae half o' the warld disna ken how the ither half lives.

Ae hand winna wash the ither for nought.

Ae hour in the morning is worth twa at night.

Ae hour's cauld will drive oot seven years' heat.

Ae lawsuit breeds twenty.

Ae man may tak a horse to the water, but twenty winna gar him drink.

"'Reuben Butler! he hasna in his pouch the value o' the auld black
coat he wears--but it doesna signify.' And, as he spoke, he (the
Laird of Dumbiedikes) shut successively, and with vehemence, the
drawers of his treasury. 'A fair offer, Jeannie, is nae cause o'
feud--ae man may bring a horse to the water, but twenty wunna gar
him drink. And as for wasting my substance on other folks'
joes----'"--_Heart of Midlothian._

Ae man may steal a horse where anither daurna look ower the hedge.

A man with a bad character is liable to be blamed for any misdeed
which may be done; while a person who is not open to suspicion may
commit depredation without challenge.

Ae man's meat is anither man's poison.

Ae scabbit sheep will smit a hirsel.

One bad character may pollute a whole company.

Ae scone o' that baking's enough.

Ae shook o' that stook's enough.

One specimen of a bad article is sufficient.

Ae swallow disna mak a summer.

Ae word before is worth twa behint.

Ae year a nurse and seven years a daw.

Does this very old proverb mean, that if a woman nurses for one
year, it takes seven years to recover from the effects of it? Ray
has a very ungallant note on the English version of this: "Because,
feeding well and doing little, she becomes liquorish, and gets a
habit of idleness."

A' fails that fools think.

A fa'ing maister maks a standin' man.

A fair maid tocherless will get mair wooers than husbands.

A fair offer is nae cause o' feud.

A' fellows, Jock and the laird.

"Spoken when unworthy fellows intrude themselves into the company of
their betters."--_Kelly._

A fey man and a cursour fearna the deil.

Meaning literally, that a predestined man and a war-horse (or
stallion, as the word "cursour" more immediately implies) fear not
the devil.

Affront your friend in daffin', and tine him in earnest.

Affront him not in jest, lest you lose him in earnest.

A fidging mare should be weel girded.

"A thief does not always steal, but always be on your guard against
him."--_Russian._

A findsilly bairn gars his faither be hang'd.

A fisherman's walk--twa steps and overboard.

A fleyer wad aye hae a follower.

This proverb illustrates a song of Allan Ramsay's, after an ode by
Horace, referring to a girl running out of the room, in the hope
that her lover would follow her.

A fool and his money are sune parted.

A fool at forty will ne'er be wise.

A fool is happier thinking weel o' himself, than a wise man is o' others thinking weel o' him.

A fool may earn money, but it taks a wise man to keep it.

A fool may gie a wise man a counsel.

"'Fair and softly gangs far,' said Meiklehose; 'and if a fule may
gie a wise man a counsel, I wad hae him think twice or he mells with
Knockdunder.'"--_Heart of Midlothian._

A fool may speer mair questions than a wise man can answer.

A fool's bolt is sune shot.

A fool winna gie his toy for the Tower o' London.

A foul foot maks a fu' wame.

"Industry will be sure of a maintenance. A man that carefully goes
about his business will have foul feet."--_Kelly._

A foul hand maks a clean hearthstane.

A friend at court is worth a penny in the purse.

Kelly's note on this proverb is not favourable to the court usances
of his time (1721). "A purse seems to be the only friend at court,
for, without that, there is nothing there but neglect and empty
promises."

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

A friend to a' is a friend to nane.

"Everybody's friend is nobody's friend."--_Spanish._

A friend's dinner's sune dished.

That is, a true friend is easily served, and will not readily take
offence.

A friend's ne'er ken't till he's needed.

Aft counting keeps friends lang thegither.

"Short accounts make long friends."--_English._

After a sort, as Costlet served the king.

"One Captain Costlet, boasting much of his loyalty, was asked how he
served the king when he was a captain in Cromwell's army, answered,
'After a sort.' Spoken when a thing is done slightly."--_Kelly._

After a storm comes a calm.

After cheese, naething.

After clouds comes fair weather.

After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.

This advice is unfitted for the dining practices of the present day;
but when our ancestors breakfasted at six, dined at eleven, and
supped at four or five, the counsel may have been good enough.

After joy comes annoy.

After Lammas, corn ripens by day and night.

After that comes a cow to be shod.

After words come weird: fair fa' them that ca' me "Madam."

After libel comes proof: let those who speak ill of me look to
themselves.

After you is gude manners.

"Spoken when our betters offer to serve us first."--_Kelly._

Aft ettle, whiles hit.

Often try, occasionally succeed.

Aft times the cautioner pays the debt.

A fu' cup is ill to carry.

A fu' heart is aye kind.

A fu' heart never lee'd.

Intimating that the truth generally comes out under the impulse of
the feelings.

A fu' man and a hungry horse aye mak haste hame.

A fu' man's a true man.

A man under the influence of drink, if he speak at all, speaks
truth, and often more of that than is pleasant.

A fu' purse maks a haverin merchant.

A man with a full purse engaged in commercial transactions is apt to
"haver," or gossip freely.

A fu' purse never lacks friends.

A fu' sack can bear a clout on the side.

A man in prosperous circumstances can afford to listen to the
envious remarks of those who have not been so fortunate.

A fu' wame maks a straught back.

A full stomach makes a man walk erectly.

A gaun fit's aye getting, were it but a thorn or a broken tae.

"A man of industry will certainly get a living; though the proverb
is often applied to those who went abroad and got a mischief, when
they might safely have stayed at home."--_Kelly._

A gentle horse should be sindle spurr'd.

A gi'en game was ne'er won.

A voluntary concession may be no tribute to the skill of the
opponent.

A gi'en horse shouldna be looked i' the mouth.

A gi'en piece is soon eaten.

A gowk at Yule 'll no be bright at Beltane.

He that is a fool at Christmas will not be wise in May.

A great rooser was ne'er a gude rider.

A great boaster is rarely a great performer.

A greedy e'e ne'er got a fu' wame.

A greedy e'e ne'er got a gude pennyworth.

This and the preceding proverb signify that a covetous or greedy man
is never satisfied.

A green wound is half hale.

A green Yule maks a fat kirkyard.

"Ance I wrought a simmer wi' auld Will Winnet, the bedral, and
howkit mair graves than ane in my day; but I left him in winter, for
it was unco cauld wark; and then it cam a green Yule, and the folk
died thick and fast."--_The Antiquary._

A groat is ill saved that shames its master.

A grunting horse and a graneing wife seldom fail their master.

People that are constantly in the habit of complaining how ill they
are, generally contrive to live as long as their neighbours.

A gude beginning maks a gude ending.

A gude calf is better than a calf o' a gude kind.

The one is good already, while it is possible that the other may
turn out bad.

A gude cause maks a strong arm.

A gude conscience is the best divinity.

A gude day's darg may be done wi' a dirty spade.

A gude dog ne'er barkit about a bane.

A gude face needs nae band, and an ill ane deserves nane.

A gude fellow is a costly name.

A gude fellow ne'er tint but at an ill fellow's hand.

A gude goose may hae an ill gaiflin.

A gude green turf is a gude gudemother.

A mother-in-law is best in the churchyard.

A gude grieve is better than an ill worker.

A gude ingle maks a roomy fireside.

A gude lawyer may be an ill neighbour.

A gude man maks a gude wife.

A gude name is sooner tint than won.

"Good repute is like the cypress; once cut, it never puts forth leaf
again."--_Italian._

A gude pawn never shamed its master.

"It is no shame for a man to borrow on a good pawn; though I think
it would be more for his honour to be trusted without
one."--_Kelly._

A gude paymaster ne'er wants hands to work.

A gude steel is worth a penny.

A gude tale's no the waur o' being twice tauld.

"It's very true the curates read aye the same words ower again; and
if they be right words, what for no?--a gude tale's no the waur o'
being twice tauld, I trow; and a body has aye the better chance to
understand it."--_Old Mortality._

A gude tongue's a gude safeguard.

A gude wife and health is a man's best wealth.

A gude word is as easy said as an ill ane.

A gude year winna mak him, nor an ill year mar him.

"A beggar will ne'er be a bankrupt."--_English._

A guilty conscience self accuses.

A hadden tongue maks a slabbered mou'.

A hairy man's a geary man, but a hairy wife's a witch.

A half burn'd peat is easily kindled.

A hanfu' o' trade is worth a gowpen o' gold.

Literally, the knowledge of a trade is worth a handful of gold.

A hantle cry Murder! and are aye upmost.

Many that are least hurt cry loudest

A hasty man is never lusty.

A hasty man never wanted wae.

A hearty hand to gie a hungry meltith.

A hen that lays thereout should hae a white nest-egg.

Some attractions should be provided at home for those who are not
naturally attached to it.

A' his buz shakes nae barley.

All his talking does no good, or, _vice versa_, all his stormy
temper does no harm.

A hook is weel tint to catch a salmon.

"Throw sprats to catch whales."--_Spanish._

A horn spoon hauds nae poison.

The humble rank indicated by the horn spoon is one in which
simplicity and contentment are so general that no poisoning need be
feared. "No hemlock is drunk out of earthenware."--_Latin._

A horse broken and a wife to break, is a horse made and a wife to make.

A horse hired never tired.

A horse wi' four feet may snapper.

Snapper, to stumble. Even the best of men may err.

A houndless hunter and a gunless gunner aye see routh o' game.

Applied to those who are always boasting of what they can do, when
they know that there is no fear of their powers being tested.

A house built and a garden to grow never brought what they cost.

A house fu' o' folk, and a pouch wi' three fardens i' the corner o't, dinna sort weel thegither.

Poverty and a desire to keep up appearances do not "sort weel."

A house in a hastrie is downright wastrie.

A house wi' a reek and a wife wi' a reard will mak a man rin to the door.

"Smoke, a dripping roof, and a scolding wife, are enough to drive a
man out of his life."--_Spanish._

A hungry louse bites sair.

"Spoken when the needy are importunate in their cravings, or
exacting."--_Kelly._

A hungry man has aye a lazy cook.

A hungry man's an angry man.

A hungry man smells meat far.

A hungry stomach is aye craving.

A hungry wame has nae lugs.

A hungry man is deaf to reason.

A' I got frae him I could put in my e'e, and see nane the waur for't.

A satirical way of expressing that some service has been allowed to
go unrewarded.

A' ills are gude untried.

Air day or late day, the fox's hide finds aye the slaying knife.

Sooner or later justice overtakes evil-doers.

A Januar' haddock, a Februar' bannock, and a March pint o' ale.

"This semi-metrical proverb expresses the season at which the
haddock and some other articles of aliment are supposed to be at
their best. This, however, as far as the haddock is concerned, would
appear questionable, as there is an almost universal notion that the
young of this fish at least are best after a little of May has gone.
It is said in the Mearns,--

"'A cameral haddock's ne'er gude
Till it get three draps o' May flude.'"--_Robert Chambers._

Formerly, brewers made ale only twice a year,--the _summer ale_ in
March, and the _winter_ in October.

A Kelso convoy--a step and a half ower the door-stane.

"Ye ken in this country ilka gentleman is wussed to be sae civil as
to see the corpse aff his ain grounds. Ye needna gang higher than
the loan-head--it's no expected your honour suld leave the
land--it's just a Kelso convoy, a step and a half ower the
door-stane."--_The Antiquary._

A kindly word cools anger.

A kiss and a drink o' water mak but a wersh breakfast.

Spoken disapprovingly of those who marry for love, without due
regard to means.

A landward lad is aye laithfu'.

A country or rustic lad is always bashful.

A lang gather'd dam soon runs out.

A lang tongue has a short hand.

"They who are lavish in their promises, are often short in their
performances."--_Kelly._

A lass that has mony wooers aft wails the warst.

A laughing-faced lad often maks a lither servant.

A layin' hen is better than a standin' mill.

A standing mill is profitless, whereas a laying hen is not.

A leaky ship needs muckle pumping.

A leal heart never lied.

Ale-sellers shouldna be tale-tellers.

They hear everybody's story, but prudence demands that they should
keep it to themselves.

A liar should hae a gude memory.

A light-heeled mother maks a heavy-heeled dochter.

A light purse maks a heavy heart.

Alike every day maks a clout on Sunday.

A little wit ser's a lucky man.

A' law's no justice.

A loving heart and a leal within, are better than gowd or gentle kin.

A lucky man needs little counsel.

A maid aft seen and a gown aft worn, are disesteemed and held in scorn.

"Amaist" and "Very near" hae aye been great liars.

Amaist was ne'er a man's life.

A man at five may be a fool at fifteen.

A man at forty is either a fool or a physician.

A man canna bear a' his ain kin about on his back.

A man canna wive and thrive the same year.

Amang you be 't, priest's bairns: I am but a priest's oe.

A man has nae mair gudes than he gets gude o'.

A man is a lion for his ain cause.

"No man so zealous for, or assiduous in, a man's business as
himself."--_Kelly._

A man maun spoil ere he spin.

A man may be kind, yet gie little o' his gear.

A man may haud his tongue in an ill time.

A man may keep silent at a time or under circumstances where it is
an injury to himself.

A man may lose his ain for lack o' craving.

A man may see his friend in need, that wouldna see his pow bleed.

That is, a friend may be willing to do anything, even to fight for
him, _except_, and as is too generally the case, to give him
pecuniary assistance.

A man may speer the gate he kens fu' weel.

A man may spit in his neive and do but little.

He may make a great show of working, but still _do_ very little.

A man may woo where he will, but maun wed where his weird is.

A man o' mony trades may beg his bread on Sunday.

"Jack of all trades, master of none."--_English._

A man o' straw is worth a woman o' gold.

"It seems that the men contrived these proverbs, they run so much in
their favours."--_Kelly._

A man o' words, and no o' deeds, is like a garden fu' o' weeds.

A man's aye crouse in his ain cause.

A man's hat in his hand ne'er did him ony harm.

A man's mind is a mirk mirror.

A man's weel or wae as he thinks himsel sae.

A man was ance hang'd for leaving his drink.

"It took its rise from the villain that assassinated the Prince of
Orange. Spoken when men proffer to go away before their drink be
out."--_Kelly._

A man wi' ae ee, can see mair than you wi' your twa.

A master's ee maks a fat horse.

"No eye like the master's eye."--_English._

A mear's shoe will fit a horse.

"Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander."--_English._

A Merse mist alang the Tweed, in a harvest morning's gude indeed.

"Because it generally precedes a fine, warm, and breezy
harvest-day--excellent for the winnowing and in-bringing of the
precious grain."--_G. Henderson._

A midge is as big as a mountain, amaist.

The latitude afforded in the meaning of the word "almost," furnishes
the point in this and several other proverbs.

A mind that's scrimpit ne'er wants care.

"But aiblins, neibour, ye hae not a heart,
And downa eithly wi' your cunzie part.
If that be true, what signifies your gear?
A mind that's scrimpit never wants some care."--_Gentle Shepherd._

A misty morning may be a clear day.

A morning's sleep is worth a fauld o' sheep to a hudderin dudderin daw.

"A reflection upon lazy, sleepy drabs, who prefer nothing to soaking
in their bed in the morning."--_Kelly._

A mouthfu' o' meat may be a tounfu' o' shame.

"That is, if it be stolen--intimating that a little thing picked
will procure a great disgrace."--_Kelly._

A muckle mouth has aye gude luck for its meat.

A muffled cat was ne'er a gude hunter.

An Aberdeen man ne'er stands to the word that hurts him.

A nag wi' a wame and a mare wi' nane are no a gude pair.

An air winter maks a sair winter.

A naked man maun rin.

A man that is destitute must exert himself.

An auld dog bites sicker.

An auld horse may dee ere the grass grow.

"While the grass is growing the steed is starving."--_German._

An auld knave's nae bairn.

"An old fox needs learn no new tricks."--_English._

An auld man's a bedfu' o' banes.

An auld mason maks a gude barrowman.

An auld pock is aye skailing.

An auld pock needs muckle clouting.

Old things, generally, are often in need of repair.

An auld tout on a new horn is little minded.

An old story or complaint receives little attention even although it
may be told in a different form.

Ance awa, aye awa.

When people once go away from home for a time, there is always a
feeling among those left that the bond which binds them to home is
weakened, and very little persuasion is required to take them away
again.

Ance is nae custom.

Ance paid, never craved.

Ance Provost, aye My Lord.

Ance wud, and aye waur.

Ance wud, never wise.

A person once "wud," or deranged, is always suspected of being so,
in the event of anything strange taking place.

Ane at a time is gude fishing.

An eating horse ne'er foundered.

An excuse for taking a hearty meal, meaning that plenty of food will
injure neither man nor beast.

Ane beats the bush, and anither grips the bird.

Ane does the skaith, anither gets the scorn.

Ane gets sma' thanks for tineing his ain.

Ane is no sae soon healed as hurt.

An elbuck dirl will lang play thirl.

Ane may like a haggis weel enough that wouldna like the bag bladded on his chafts.

Ane may like the kirk weel enough, and no aye be riding on the rigging o't.

Ane would like to be lo'ed, but wha would mool in wi' a moudiewort?

The three preceding proverbs mean, that although a man may be very
fond of his relations, property, and what not, still there are
certain extremes to be avoided, for if even approached, they verge
into the ridiculous.

Ane may think that daurna speak.

Ane never tines by doing gude.

Ane o' the court, but nane o' the council.

Meaning that although your presence and advice may on certain
occasions be requested, it is only for form's sake.

Ane's ain hearth is gowd's worth.

Ane will gar a hundred lee.

A new pair o' breeks will cast down an auld coat.

A new article of dress will make the others look much more worn than
they really are. The acquisition of a new friend may tend to lower
our esteem for those of longer standing.

Anger's mair hurtfu' than the wrang that caused it.

Anger's short-lived in a gude man.

An honest man's word's his bond.

An idle brain is the deil's workshop.

"He that labours is tempted by one devil; he that is idle by a
thousand."--_Italian._

An ilka-day braw maks a Sabbath-day daw.

He that wears his best at all times will have nothing to suit
extraordinary occasions.

An ill cook should hae a gude cleaver.

An ill cow may hae a gude calf.

An ill custom is like a gude bannock--better broken than kept.

An ill lesson is easy learned.

An ill life maks an ill death.

An ill plea should be weel pled.

An ill servant ne'er made a gude maister.

An ill shearer ne'er got a gude heuk.

"And now some learner tries to shear,
But comes right little speed, I fear;
'The corn lies ill,' and aye we hear
'The sickle's bad:'
The byeword says, 'Ill shearer ne'er
A gude hook had.'"--_The Har'st Rig._

An ill turn is soon done.

An ill wife and a new-kindled candle should hae their heads hadden down.

"But both must be done with care, caution, and discretion; otherwise
you may put the candle out and make the wife worse."--_Kelly._

An ill-willy cow should hae short horns.

"It were a pity that a man of ill-nature should have much authority,
for he'll be sure to abuse it."--_Kelly._

An ill-won penny will cast down a pound.

An inch breaks nae squares.

"A little difference ought not to occasion any contests among good
neighbours."--_Kelly._

An inch o' a nag is worth a span o' an aiver.

"A little man, if smart and stout, is much preferable to an unwieldy
lubber, though much bigger."--_Kelly._

An inch o' gude luck is worth a faddom o' forecast.

A nod frae a lord is a breakfast for a fool.

A nod o' honest men's eneugh.

A nod's as gude's a wink to a blind horse.

An olite mother maks a dawdie dochter.

An only dochter is either a deil or a daw.

An ounce o' mither-wit is worth a pound o' clergy.

An ounce o' wit is worth a pound o' lear.

"An ounce of mother-wit is worth a pound of school-wit."--_German._

An unlucky fish taks bad bait.

An unlucky man's cart is eithly coup'd.

An ye loe me look in my dish.

A delicate request for a second supply of soup.

A' owers are ill, but ower the water and ower the hill.

"All owers are repute to be vyce,
Ower heich, ower law, ower rasch, ower nyce,
Owre het or zit ower cauld."--_Cherrie and the Slae._

A' owers spills.

A party pot ne'er plays even.

An interested or prejudiced individual cannot be an impartial judge
of both sides of a question.

A penny hain'd's a penny clear, and a preen a-day's a groat a-year.

A penny hain'd's a penny gained.

A penny in my purse will gar me drink when my friends winna.

A penny in the purse is a gude friend.

A penny in the purse is better than a crown awa.

A pennyweight o' love is worth a pound o' law.

A pickle's no miss'd in a mickle.

A poll parrot thinks weel o' itsel.

A poor man is fain o' little.

A poor man's debt maks muckle din.

A pound o' care winna pay an ounce o' debt.

_Care_ here means sorrow, or trouble of mind, and must not be
associated with _care_ in the sense of frugality or economy, which
has paid many an ounce of debt.

A pound o' woo' is as heavy as a pound o' lead.

A primsie damsel maks a daidlin' dame.

A proud heart in a poor breast has muckle dolour to dree.

A proud mind and an empty purse gree ill thegither.

"A true proverb! and the worst is, they meet often."--_Kelly._

A raggit coat was ne'er a mote in a man's marriage.

A raggit cowte may be a gude gelding.

An uncouth, unpromising colt may turn out a fine horse. An ignorant,
dull boy may ultimately prove a very clever man.

"Yet aft a ragged cowte's been known
To mak a noble aiver;
So, ye may doucely fill a throne,
For a' their clish-ma-claver."--_Burns._

A reckless house maks mony thieves.

A red nose maks a raggit back.

A reeky house and a girnin' wife, will lead a man a fashious life.

A reproof is nae poison.

"No, indeed! but a wholesome medicine, which whosoever refuseth is
brutish!"--_Kelly._

A rich man has mair cousins than his faither had kin.

A rich man's wooing's no lang doing.

A rough bane maks a fu' wame.

As a carl riches he wretches.

"Wretch, a covetous or niggardly person."--_Jamieson._ As a man
becomes rich he also becomes more parsimonious.

A safe conscience maks a sound sleep.

A saft aiver was ne'er a gude horse.

As ane flits anither sits, and that keeps mailins dear.

As brisk as bottled ale.

As broken a ship's come to land.

"'I fear,' said Morton, 'there is very little chance, my good friend
Cuddie, of our getting back to our old occupation.' 'Hout, stir;
hout, stir,' replied Cuddie, 'it's aye gude to keep up a hardy
heart--as broken a ship's come to land.'"--_Old Mortality._

A's but lip-wit that wants experience.

A scabbed horse is gude enough for a sca'd squire.

A sca'ded cat dreads cauld water.

As canker'd as a cow wi' ae horn.

"As proud as a hen with one chick."--_English._

A scar'd head is eith to bleed.

A scar'd head is soon broken.

A reputation already questionable is easily lost altogether.

As coarse as Nancie's harn sark,--three threads out o' the pound.

A Scotch mist will weet an Englishman to the skin.

A Scotsman and a Newcastle grindstane travel a' the world ower.

Alluding to the wandering propensities of the one and the good
qualities of the other.

A Scotsman is aye wise ahint the hand.

"It is too late to throw water on the cinders when the house is
burned down."--_Danish._

As dark as a Yule midnight.

As day brake, butter brake.

"Spoken when a person or thing that was wanting comes
opportunely."--_Kelly._

A seven years' maiden is aye at the slight.

As fain as a fool o' a fair day.

A's fair at the ba'.

"All's fair in war."--_English._

As fause as Waghorn.

"Waghorn, a fabulous personage, who, being a liar nineteen times
greater than the devil, was crowned King of liars."--_Jamieson._

A's fine that's fit.

A's fish that comes to the net.

As fu' o' mischief as an egg's fu' o' meat.

As gentle as Gorman's bitch, that lap ower the ingle and ate the roast.

As gude a fellow as ever toom'd a bicker.

As gude eat the deil as sup the kail he's boiled in.

As gude fish in the sea as e'er cam out o't.

As gude gie the lichtly as tak it.

"Lichtly, an expression of contempt or insult: to undervalue, to
slight, to despise."--_Jamieson._

As gude may haud as draw.

As gude may haud the stirrup as he that loups on.

As gude merchants tine as win.

As gude ne'er a bit, as ne'er the better.

"Unless you make a thing the better for you, you had as good let it
alone."--_Kelly._

A's gude that God sends.

A shave aff a new cut loaf's never missed.

A shor'd tree stands lang.

"Men do not die of threats."--_Dutch._

A short grace is gude for hungry folk.

A short horse is sune wispit.

A sight o' you is gude for sair een.

"'Wha's this o't?' again exclaimed Madge Wildfire. 'Douce Davie
Deans; the auld doited whig body's daughter, in a gipsy's barn, and
the nicht setting in! this is a sight for sair een!--Eh, sirs, the
falling off o' the godly!--and the t'other sister's in the Tolbooth
of Edinburgh.'"--_Heart of Midlothian._

A sillerless man gangs fast through the market.

A silly man will be slily dealt wi'.

"He that makes himself a sheep, shall be eaten by the
wolf."--_English._

A sinking maister maks a rising man.

A skelpit bum breaks nae banes.

Ask the tapster if his ale be gude.

Ask your purse what you should buy.

Ask nae questions, and I'll tell nae lees.

"'What needs ye be aye speering then at folk?' retorted Effie. 'I'm
sure, if ye'll ask nae questions, I'll tell ye nae lees. I never ask
what brings the Laird of Dumbiedykes glowering here like a wull cat
(only his een's greener, and no sae gleg), day after day, till we
are all like to gaunt our chafts aff.'"--_Heart of Midlothian._

As lang as a dog would be bound wi' a bluidy puddin'.

As lang as the bird sings before Candlemas he greets after it.

As lang as ye serve the tod ye maun carry his tail.

As lang as ye stand ye dinna stay.

"It is enough to make it appear that you did not stay, if you can
say you never sate down; an argument to make our friend, who is in
haste, to stand and chat awhile."--_Kelly._

As lang lasts the hole as the heel leather.

"Spoken to them that quarrel with a hole in your coat or shoe: often
applied otherways."--_Kelly._

As lang lives the merry man as the sad.

As lang rins the tod as he has feet.

A slow hand maks a sober fortune.

A slow fire maks a sweat maut.

A sma' leak will sink a great ship.

As menseless as a tinkler's messan.

As merry's a mautman.

A smith's house is aye lowin'.

As mony heads as mony wits.

As muckle upwith as muckle downwith.

A's no gowd that glitters, nor maidens that wear their hair.

"It was the fashion some years ago (1721) for virgins to go
bareheaded. The proverb means that everything is not so good as it
appears."--_Kelly._

A's no help that's at hand.

A's no ill that's ill like.

A's no part.

A's no tint that fa's bye.

A's no tint that's in hazard.

A sorrowfu' heart's aye dry.

"Spoken when widows or widowers drink liberally, alledging it was to
quench their sorrow."--_Kelly._

A sooth bourd is nae bourd.

"'D'ye hear that, Provost?' said Summertrees. 'Your wife's a witch,
man; you should nail a horse-shoe on your chamber door. Ha, ha, ha!'

"This sally did not take so well as the former efforts of the
laird's wit. The lady drew up, and the Provost said, half aside,
'The sooth bourd is nae bourd; you will find the horse-shoe hissing
hot, Summertrees.'"--_Redgauntlet._

As poor as a kirk mouse.

A spunefu' o' stink will spoil a patfu' o' skink.

"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a
stinking savour; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation
for wisdom and honour."--_Ecclesiastes_, x. 1.

A spur in the head's worth twa in the heel.

As sair fights the wren as the crane.

As sair greets the bairn that's paid at e'en as it that gets its paiks in the morning.

As sib as sieve and riddle that grew in ae wood.

"Spoken of them who groundlessly pretend kindred to great
persons."--_Kelly._

As sune comes the lamb's skin to the market as the auld tup's.

"Of young die many, of old 'scape not any."--_English._

As sure's death.

An emphatic assertion that the truth had been told. At school we had
a pious faith in these words. Any narrative clenched with them was
invariably believed. If anything was said of a questionable nature,
the listener would say, "Say sure's death to that, then." If
repeated, confidence was fully restored.

A steek in time saves nine.

As the auld cock craws the young cock learns.

As the day lengthens the cauld strengthens.

As the fool thinks the bell clinks.

As the market gangs the wares sell.

As the sow fills the draff sours.

As the wind blaws seek your beild.

That is, endeavour to suit yourself to circumstances. Kelly pawkily
remarks, This is "a politick proverb! advising us to make our
interest as the times change. This proverb some act very
dexterously, and others cannot get acted."

A still sow eats a' the draff.

A's tint that's put in a riven dish.

All is lost that is put into a broken dish. Favours bestowed on
ungrateful persons are thrown away.

As tired as a tyke o' langkail.

"Are ye fou already, Watty Walkinshaw? If ye mudge out o' that seat
again this night, I'll mak you as sick o' pies and puddings as ever
a dog was o' langkail."--_The Entail._

As true as Biglam's cat crew, and the cock rocked the cradle.

"Spoken when we hear one call that true that we know to be a
lye."--_Kelly._

A' Stuarts are no sib to the king.

Although all of the same name, we are not of the same family. "There
is some distance between Peter and Peter."--_Spanish._

A sturdy beggar should hae a stout nae-sayer.

As wanton as a wet hen.

As weel be hang'd for a sheep as a lamb.

As weel be sune as syne.

Used as a suggestion that a thing had better be done at present than
put off till a future time, or _vice versa_. "Ae wise body's eneugh
in the married state. But if your heart's ower fu', take what siller
will serve ye, and let it be when ye come back again--as gude syne
as sune."--_Heart of Midlothian._

As weel be out o' the warld as out o' fashion.

As wight as a wabster's doublet, that ilka day taks a thief by the neck.

As ye are stout be merciful.

As ye brew sae ye maun drink.

"Some will spend, and some will spare,
And wilfu' folk maun hae their will;
Syne as ye brew, my maiden fair,
Keep mind that ye maun drink the yill."--_Burns._

As ye brew weel ye'll drink the better.

"'So ye hae gotten your auld son married? I hope it's to your
satisfaction.'

"'An he has brewed good yill, Mr Keelevin, he'll drink the better,'
was the reply; 'but I hae come to consult you anent a bit alteration
that I would fain make in my testament.'"--_The Entail._

As ye mak your bed sae ye maun lie on't.

A's yours frae the door out.

"A jest upon those who pretend that such and such things in the
house are theirs. As if you would say, all the household goods
without the doors are yours."--_Kelly._

A taking hand will never want, let the world be e'er sae scant.

A tarrowing bairn was never fat.

A child that refuses or is slow in taking its food. People who will
not take advantage as opportunities offer, cannot expect to prosper
so well as those who do.

A tale never tines in the telling.

A' that's said in the kitchen shouldna be tauld in the ha'.

A' that's said shouldna be sealed.

A' that ye'll tak wi' ye will be but a kist and a sheet, after a'.

In allusion to the death of persons who may be proud of their
possessions.

A' the claes on your back was ance in clues.

A' the corn's no shorn by kempers.

To kemp, to strive. All do not strive alike. All cannot equally
excel in work. This proverb supports the claims of those who do not
excel, by suggesting that even the "kempers" cannot overtake all the
work that is to do.

A' the keys of the country hang na in ae belt.

All the influence or power is not in one man's possession.

A' the men i' the Mearns can do nae mair than they may.

No man can do more than he has strength to do. There is an
Aberdeenshire saying of similar import, "I can dee fat I dow: the
men in the Mearns can dee nae mair."

A' the speed's no in the spurs.

A' the winning's in the first buying.

A' the wit o' the world's no in ae pow.

A'thing angers ye, and the cat breaks your heart.

A' things thrive at thrice.

A'thing wytes that no weel fares.

A thoughtless body's aye thrang.

A thrawn question should hae a thrawart answer.

A thread will tie an honest man better than a rope will do a rogue.

At my leisure, as lairds dee.

"Fair and softly, as lawyers go to heaven."--_English._

A tocherless dame sits lang at hame.

A tocher's nae word in a true lover's parle.

"Oh wae on the siller, it is sae prevailing!
And wae on the love that is fixed on a mailen!
A tocher's nae word in a true lover's parle,
But gie me love, and a fig for the warl!"--_Burns._

A toolying tike comes limping hame.

"Toolying tike," quarrelsome dog.

A toom hand is nae lure for a hawk.

A toom pantry maks a thriftless gudewife.

A toom purse maks a thrawn face.

At open doors dogs gae ben.

A travelled man has leave to lee.

A tree's no a mast till its hewn.

"I like the lassie, Mundy, wi' my heart,
An' as she's bonny, dootna but she's smart;
The creature's young, she'll shape to ony cast--
Nae tree till it be hewn becomes a mast."--_Ross's Helenore._

A tricky man's easiest tricket.

A turn weel done is sune done.

A twalpenny cat may look at a king.

Auld chimes and auld rhymes gar us think on auld times.

Auld folk are twice bairns.

Auld moon mist ne'er died o' thrist.

"Foggy weather in the last quarter of the moon is supposed to
betoken moisture."--_Robert Chambers._

Auld sins breed new sairs.

Auld sparrows are ill to tame.

Auld springs gie nae price.

Things out of fashion are valueless.

Auld stots hae stiff horns.

Auld use and wont hings about the fire.

Old manners and customs are difficult to be got rid of.

Auld wives and bairns mak fools o' physicians.

Auld wives were aye gude maidens.

A vaunter and a liar are near akin.

A wa' between best preserves friendship.