Welsh proverbs

Proverbs from all Welsh speaking parts of the world.

Arranged alphabetically by author or source:
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z · See also · External links

A

• A wnelir liw nos a welir liw dydd.
  • Jones, Tegwyn (1996). A Little Book of Welsh Proverbs. p.60.
• Adar o'r unlliw, ehedant i'r unlle.
  • English Equivalent: Birds of a feather flock together.
  • "It is a fact worthy of remark, that when a set of men agree in any particulars, though never so trivial, they flock together, and often establish themselves into a kind of fraternity for contriving and carrying into effect their plans. According to their distinct character they club together, factious with factious, wise with wise, indolent with indolent, active with active et cetera."
  • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 41. 
  • Ceiniogwerth (1849). Y Geiniogwerth. Cy. p. 306. 

• Adfyd a ddwg wybodaeth, a gwybodaeth ddoethineb.
  • English equivalent: Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn from no other.
  • "Wisdom makes but a slow defence against trouble, though at last a sure one."
  • Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield (1766), Chapter XXI
  • Roberts (1885). The proverbs of Wales: a collection of Welsh proverbs, with English Translations. T. R. Roberts. p. 6. 

C

• Carreg a dreigla, ni fwsoga.
  • English equivalent: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
  • "There are a Set of People in the World who are such Admirers of Novelty, that they can never be long pleafed with one way of’ living, who before they are well fettled in one Habitation, remove to another."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [1]
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "14". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 100. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Cyfaill cywir mewn ing y'i gwelir.
  • English equivalent: A friend is known in adversity, like gold is known in fire.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 159. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Cynt y cyferfydd dau ddyn na dau fynydd.
  • English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
  • "There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet." or "One can always find a possibility for revenge."
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 213. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

D

• Dyfal donc y dyr y garreg.
  • English equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.
  • Julie Brake; Christine Jones (10 February 2012). Complete Welsh: Teach Yourself. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-4441-3417-9. 

• Dysgu i gi bach gachu.
  • Teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Literally: ‘Teach a puppy to shit’
  • English equivalent: A blind man should not judge of colours.
  • "An uneducated man cannot judge of the attainments of the learned."
  • M. W. Carr (1868). A Collection of Telugu Proverbs translated, illustrated and explained; together with some Sanscrit Proverbs printed in the Devanâgarî and Telugu Characters: By M. W. Carr. A Supplement to the Collection of Telugu Proverbs: containing additional Proverbs, an Index verborum, and an index to the European Proverbs quoted in illustration. Christian Knowledge Society's Press. p. 141. 
  • Source Geiriadur Yr Acádemi Gymreig http://www.kimkat.org/amryw/1_vortaroy/vortaro_gwenta_angla_GWENCI_a_0974e.htm

F

• Fel y bo'r dyn y bydd ei lwdn.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.
  • "Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 170. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Fel y fam fel y ferch.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

G

• Gwna dda dros ddrwg, uffern ni'th ddwg.
  • English equivalent: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
  • Roberts (1885). The proverbs of Wales: a collection of Welsh proverbs, with English Translations. T. R. Roberts. p. 114. 

I

• I mewn drwy un glust ac allan drwy'r llall.
  • English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
  • "And may you better reck the rede,
    Than ever did th' adviser."
  • Robert Burns, Epistle to a Young Friend. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

L

• Llon llygod lle ni bo cath.
  • English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play.
  • "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
  • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). "17". The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013. 
  • J. J. Evans (1965). Diarhebion cymraeg: detholiad, gyda chyfieithiad i'rsaesneg. Welsh proverbs: a selection, with English translations. Gwasg Gomer. p. 17. 

M

• Mwyaf y brys, mwyaf y rhwystr.
  • English equivalent: Make haste slowly.
  • "Wisdom, though richer than Peruvian mines,
    And sweeter than the sweet ambrosial hive,
    What is she, but the means of happiness?
    That unobtain'd, than folly more a fool."
  • Edward Young, Night Thoughts (1742-1745), Night II, line 496**
  • Roberts (1885). The proverbs of Wales: a collection of Welsh proverbs, with English Translations. T. R. Roberts. p. 70. 
• Mae brenin a tyrchoed a iddew bwyd
  • English equivalent: Thou shalt not steal
  • Literal translation: The king of the Moles is a food jew
  • Meaning:Do not take or borrow something of someone else's without telling them, it is as good as stealing it.

N

• Ni all neb wasanaethu dau arglwydd.
  • English equivalent: Nobody can serve two masters.
  • "One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Nid aur yw popeth melyn.
  • English Equivalent: All that glisters is not gold.
  • "An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content."
  • Borsley, Tallerman, Willis (2007). The Syntax of Welsh. Cambridge University Press. p. 364. ISBN 0521836301. 
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 125. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Nid oes neb mor droednoeth â phlant y crydd.
  • English equivalent: Cobblers' children are worst shod.
  • "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him."
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "7". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. p. 65. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

R

• Rhaid cropian cyn cerdded.
  • English equivalent: Learn to walk before you can run.
  • Source: Library Association (1969). The Library Association record. p. 29. 

Y

• Y sawl na weithied na fwytaed.
  • English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
  • "Nothing is given to you. Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it."
  • Jack Charlton, British football manager. From his interview with Martyn Lewis, in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. p. 256. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

See also

• English proverbs
• Irish proverbs
• Jamaican proverbs
• Maori proverbs
• Scots proverbs
• Irish proverbs
• Scottish Gaelic proverbs
• Basque proverbs