Scots proverbs
Proverbs in Scots, a language similar to English spoken in parts of Scotland.
A
- A close mouth catches nae flees.
- English equivalent: A closed mouth catches no flies.
- Meaning: It is wise not speak when it is not necessary.
- Henderson, Andrew (1832). Scottish proverbs. p. 2.
- A fule may gie a wise man counsel.
- Idiomatic translation: A fool may give a wise man counsel.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 40. ISBN 0415160502.
- A gude beginning maks a gude ending.
- Idiomatic translation: A good beginning makes a good ending; Well begun, is half done.
- Meaning: Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A – beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process.
- Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 228. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 54. ISBN 0415160502.
- Anger begins wi' folly, and ends wi' repentance.
- English equivalent: Whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes mad.
- Henderson, Andrew (1832). Scottish proverbs. p. 1.
- As the old Cock craws, the young Cock lears.
- English equivalent: As the old cock crows, so crows the young.
- Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
- Stampoy, Pappity (2004). A Collection Of Scotch Proverbs. Kessinger Publishing. p. 7.
B
- Bees that hae honey in their mouths, hae stings in their tales.
- Literal translation: Who wants to lick honey must not shy away from the bees.
- Idiomatic translation: Honey is sweet, but the bees sting.
- Meaning: Suffering is the acceptable in the quest for something great.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 837. ISBN 0415096243.
- By chance a cripple may catch a hare.
- Idiomatic translation: A blind may sometimes hit the mark.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243.
D
- Delays are dangerous.
- English equivalent: There is danger in delay.
- Henderson, Andrew (1832). Scottish proverbs. p. 11.
- Diffidence is the mother o' safety.
- English equivalent: Diffidence is the right eye of prudence.
- Meaning: Diffidently pondering something will often lead to a sensible solution.
- Henderson, Andrew (1832). Scottish proverbs. p. 12.
E
- Eild should hae honour.
- Idiomatic translation: Gray hairs are honorable.
- Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 35.
H
- He that canna do as he would maun do as he may.
- Idiomatic translation: Do as you may, if you can't do as you could.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 707. ISBN 0415096243.
- He that keeks through a keyhole may see what will vex him.
- English equivalent: Eavesdroppers hear no good of themselves.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 238. ISBN 0415096243.
I
- If ye like the nut, crack it.
- Idiomatic translation: No pain, no gain.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 680. ISBN 0415096243.
- In at ae lug and out at the ither.
- Translation: In at one ear and out at the other.
- English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
- Meaning: For various reasons a good advice or a genuine warning is often disregarded or considered of no importance.
- Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
- It is a mean mouse that has but ae hole.
- Idiomatic translation: It is a poor mouse that has only one hole.
- Meaning: It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 375. ISBN 0415096243.
N
- Naething venture, naething have.
- Idiomatic translation: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
- Meaning: It is necessary to take risks in order to achieve something.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 955. ISBN 0415096243.
O
- Our ain reek's better than ither folk's fire.
- Idiomatic translation: Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 754. ISBN 0415096243.
R
- The remedy is worse than the disease.
- English equivalent: The remedy is often worse than the disease; Burn not your house to rid it off the mouse.
- Ray, John (1855). A Hand-book of Proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). H.G. Bohn. p. 514.
S
- Seldom lies the dell dead by the dyke side.
- Meaning: You are not to expect that difficulties and dangers will vanish without any effort on your own.
- Source for meaning and proverb: Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 72.
- Speak well of the highlands, but dwell in the laigh.
- Idiomatic translation: Praise the mountains, but love plains.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 661. ISBN 0415096243.
T
- The nearer the bane the sweeter.
- Idiomatic translation: The sweetest flesh is near the bones.
- Meaning: Nearest is the best.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1176. ISBN 0415096243.
- The smiths mear and the souters wife are aye warst shod.
- Idiomatic translation: Cobblers' children are worst shod.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 661. ISBN 0415096243.
- Time and tide for nae man bide.
- Idiomatic translation: Time and tide waits for no man.
- Meaning: The Future will forsake those who forsake him; Focus on the major worries you have today, because you will have even more major worries tomorrow.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 723. ISBN 0415096243.
W
- What carlins hain, cats eat.
- Idiomatic translation: Cats eat what hussies spare.
- Note: "Cat" is a slang term for prostitute.
- Meaning: An inferior workman might defeat his competition by making the services he provides more remarkable.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 661. ISBN 0415096243.
- When ae door steeks anither opens.
- Idiomatic translation: When one door closes another opens.
- Meaning: When your life seems to be changing, it is better to adapt to the changes rather than be stubborn.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 845. ISBN 0415096243.
- Weel is that weel does.
- Idiomatic translation: Handsome is that handsome does.
- Meaning: Being pleasant is more important than good looks.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243.
Y
- Ye maun tak the will for the deed.
- Idiomatic translation: Take the will for the deed.
- Meaning: Judge by the well intentioned effort, and not its effects.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 881. ISBN 0415096243.