Today for a change, I share some old Irish Proverbs:
‘For every mile of road there’s two miles of ditches’
Meaning: The are two sides to every story. (This comes from some parts of Ireland, where ‘ditches’ means hedges.
‘There’s no use boiling your cabbage twice’
Meaning: Stop going over and over worries in your head because it solves nothing.
‘The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune’
Meaning: Things and people improve over time.
‘A woman planted feathers in the dunkel* and thought she’d grow hens’
Meaning: Just because you ‘thought’ something would work doesn’t mean you were right.
It’s often that a man’s mouth broke his nose
Meaning: Watch what you say because it could get you in trouble.
As the old cock crows the young cock learns
Meaning: Children learn by example.
If there was work in the bed he’d sleep on the floor
Meaning: Used to describe people who are very lazy.
No need to fear the ill wind when your haystacks are tied down
Meaning: Once you’ve prepared properly than there’s no need to worry the outcome.
The longest road out is the shortest road home
Meaning: If you invest time and effort into something then it will pay off in the latter end.
You’ll arrive back with one arm as long as the other
Meaning: You heading out on a thankless quest. You’ll arrive back with nothing to show for it.
You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind
Meaning: Merely thinking about something won’t get it done.
He didn’t lick it off a stone
Meaning: People actions are influenced by those around them.
What I’m afraid to hear I had better say first myself
Meaning: One must be honest and wary of their own shortcomings.
I wouldn’t call the Queen my aunt
Meaning: Being in such a contented mood that even becoming royalty couldn’t improve upon it.
Now you know you’re home
Meaning: You’re in a happy state.
It’s a long road there’s no turn in
Meaning: No matter how bad the situation is things always change.
An empty sack does not stand
Meaning: Bluffers and ignorance will always be found out.
Even black hens lay white eggs
Meaning: You should never judge a book by its cover.
*dunkel – in the dark.
I wonder how many of them you agree with?
