PROVERBIAL WISDOM. A A BAD padlock invites a picklock. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. A bird is known by its note, and a man by his talk. A bird may be caught with a snare, that will not be shot. A blythe heart makes a blooming visage. A brave retreat is a brave exploit. A broad hat does not always cover a venerable head. A broken friendship may be solder'd, but will never be sound. A burthen thoughtlessly got must be patiently borne. A cake eaten in peace is worth two in trouble. A candle lights others and consumes itself. A careless watch invites the thief. A charitable man is the true lover of God. A colt you may break, but an old horse you never can. A constant guest is never welcome. A contented mind is a continual feast. A courageous foe is better than a cowardly friend. A covetous man does nothing that he should till he dies. A cracked bell can never sound well. A crookit stick will throw a crookit shadow. A cunning knave needs no broker. A daft nurse maks a wise wean. A danger foreseen is half avoided. A day to come seems langer than a year that's gane. A deceitful peace is more hurtful than open war. A deformed body may have a beautiful soul. A diamond is valuable, though it lie on a dunghill. A dumb man ne'er got land. A dumb man wins nae law. A failure in a good cause is better than a triumph in a bad one. A fat kitchen makes a lean will. A father is a treasure, a brother a comfort, but a friend is both. A fault confessed is half redressed. A fault, once denied, is twice committed. A fine diamond may be ill-set. A flow of words is no proof of wisdom. A flow will have an ebb. A fool always comes short of his reckoning. A fool and his money are sune parted. A fool at forty will ne'er be wise. A fool demands much, but he's a greater that gives it. A fool loseth his estate before he finds his folly. A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years. A fool may chance to put something into a wise man's head. A fool may give a wise man counsel. A fool may make money, but it requires a wise man to spend it. A foolish friend is of greater injury to a man than an insinuating, crafty man. A fortunate man may be any where. A foul morn may turn to a fair day. A fox should not be of the jury at a goose's trial. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend is best found in adversity. A friend that you buy with presents, will be bought from you. A friend to a' is a friend to nane. A friend's frown is better than a fool's smile. A friend's ne'er ken't till he's needed. A full cup must be carried steadily. A fu' purse never lacks friends. A fu' man and a hungry horse aye mak' haste hame. A generous confession disarms slander. A gentle horse should na be o'er sair spurr'd. A gentleman without an estate is a pudding without suet. A gift with a kind countenance is a double present. A golden dart kills where it pleases. A golden shield is of great defence. A good beginning makes a good ending. A good cause and a good tongue, yet money must carry it. A good cause makes a stout heart and a strong arm. A good companion makes good company. A good dog deserves a good bone. A good example is the best sermon. A good face needs no paint. A good fellow lights his candle at both ends. A good friend is my nearest relation. A good honest man, now-a-days, is but a civil word for a fool. A good horse cannot be of a bad colour. A good life keeps off wrinkles. A good man is no more to be feared than a sheep. A good maxim is never out of season. A good name is better than riches. A good paymaster needs no surety. A good presence is a letter of recommendation. A good reputation is a fair estate. A good servant makes a good master. A good servant should have good wages. A good stomach is the best sauce. A good surgeon must have an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand. A good tale is none the worse for being twice told. A good tongue has seldom need to beg attention. A good tree is a good shelter. A good wife makes a good husband. A grain of prudence is worth a pound of craft. A great city, a great solitude. A great man and a great river are often ill neighbours. A great man is one who can make his children obey him when they are out of sight. A great ship must have deep water. A great tree hath a great fall. A gude cause maks a strong arm. A gude conscience is the best divinity. A gude grieve is better than an ill worker. A gude lawyer may be an ill neighbour. A greedy e'e ne'er got a gude pennyworth. A gude wife and health is a man's best wealth. A gude word is as easy said as an ill ane. A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning. A hasty man is never lusty. A horse hired never tired. A hungry man has aye a lazy cook. A joke never gains an enemy, but often loses a friend. A joyful evening may follow a sorrowful morning. A kindly word cools anger. A lass that has mony wooers aft wails the warst. A leaky ship needs muckle pumping. A leal heart never lied. A lie begets a lie till they come to generations. A light-heeled mother maks a heavy-heeled dochter. A little more breaks a horse's back. |