—Burns.
It's a gude warld, but they're ill that are in't.
It's a gude wood that hath ne'er a withered branch in it.
It's a lamb at the up-takin', but an auld sheep or ye get it aff.
In allusion to the unconscious contraction of bad habits.
It's an ill bargain where nane wins.
It's an ill bird that files its ain nest.
"Where's the use o' vilifying ane's country, and bringing a discredit on ane's kin, before Southrens and strangers? It's an ill bird that files its ain nest."—Rob Roy.
It's an ill cause that the lawyer thinks shame o'.