Irish Proverbs

I thought I would start up an Irish Proverbs thread, since maggie started up the Irish Curses. If any of you out there know a few good Irish Proverbs or wise words, please feel free to post. Here are a few proverbs that I know. Some wise words to live by or at least to think about.

Tir gan teanga, tir gan anam---(A country without a language, a country without a soul)

Is maith an scathan suil charad---(A true friend's eye is a good mirror)

Bionn dha insint ar sceal agus dha leagan deag ar amhran---(There are two versions of/two sides to every story and at least twelve versions of every song)

Maireann croi eadrom i bhfad---(A light heart lives longest)

Is minic a bhris beal duine a shron---(Many a time a man's mouth broke his nose)

Ni heolas go haontios---(There is no knowledge without unity)

Chomh sean leis an cheo agus nios sine faoi dho---(As old as the mist and older by two)

Na glac pioc comhairle gan comhairle ban---(Never take advice without a woman's guidance)

Ni sheasann sac folamh---(An empty sack won't stand)

Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras---(Hunger is a tasty sauce)

These are beautiful it's great you take the time to share!

Thank you Celtic from cali.

Roisin-Teagan I do like this one...

Never take advice without a woman's guidance.

maggiemahone1

Just think of all the trouble the world would be saved from---if men would heed this wise saying... (I'm just joking, so please don't anyone think I'm a neo-feminist )

"IRISH FOLK WISDOM" by Mairtin O'Griofa

The Animal Kingdom

Better an ass that you can ride than a horse that throws you.

Show the fatted calf but not the thing that fattened him.

Food will tame the mountain deer

If the cat scratches you, don't beat the dog.

The fox never found a better messenger than himself.

It's no use going to the goat's house to look for wool.

The willing horse ought not to be urged.

A mouse is bold under a haystack.

Even the sow will keep her own sty clean.

It is hard to drive a hare out of a bush in which he is not.

That's a good one!

"IRISH FOLK WISDOM" by Mairtin O'Griofa

More from The Animal Kingdom

In spring when sheep are lean, shellfish are fat.

Tethered sheep will not thrive.

Where the fish is, there the birds will be.

Sweet sings each bird in its own grove.

A crow won't caw without a reason.

Even geese understand each other.

The wren spreads his feet wide in his own home.

The fish that bites every worm will be caught in time.

'Tis not where water is a frog will be, but where a frog is water will be.

A tiny bee can make a large cow gad.

Hey Richard,

Great proverbs...keep them coming.

"IRISH FOLK WISDOM" by Mairtin O'Griofa

Love and Marriage

A dishonest woman can't be kept in and an honest woman won't.

The mother's failings will naturally be seen in the daughter.

When the sight leaves the eye, love leaves the heart.

Court abroad but marry at home.

There is no cure for love but marriage.

The child that's left to himself will put his mother to shame.

A wise son makes his father glad, but a foolish son is a mother's sorrow.

No man ever wore a tie as nice as his child's arm around his neck.

Choose your wife with her nightcap on.

Woe to him who does not heed a good wife's counsel.

"IRISH FOLK WISDOM" by Mairtin O'Griofa

House and Hearth--Food and Drink

There's no hearth like your own hearth.

The eye should be blind in the house of another.

Keep your house and your house will keep you.

A new broom sweeps clean, but an old one knows the dirty corners best.

Even a tin knocker will shine on a dirty door.

'Tis pleasant with company at the table: woe to him who eats alone.

Let broth boil slowly, but let porridge make a noise.

Drink is the curse of the land. It makes you fight with your neighbor, it makes you shoot at your landlord, and it makes you miss.

Do not be talkative in an alehouse.

Wine and women empty man's pockets.

HEY!!!! Not all of us. LOL

As they would say on "DRAGNET"

"Just the Facts ma'm, Just the Facts"

LOL!!!

"IRISH FOLK WISDOM" by Mairtin O'Griofa

Rich and Poor

The doorsteps of a great house is slippery.

The more you get, the less you have.

Better be bordering on plenty than be in the very middle of poverty.

Though you love your wealth, keep your good name, for if you lose that, you are worthless.

The man whose stomach is well filled does not understand the needs of the hungry.

Many a defect is seen in the poor man.

The thief is no danger to the beggar.

It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are leaking.

The law of borrowing is to break the borrower.

No one is ever poor who has the sight of his eyes and the use of his feet.