It's no for nought that the gled whistles.
"'I think,' said John Gudyill, while he busied himself in re-charging his guns, 'they hae fund the falcon's neb a bit ower hard for them—it's no for nought that the hawk whistles.'"—Old Mortality.
It's no lost what a friend gets.
It's no safe wading in unco waters.
It's no the burden, but the owerburden, that kills the beast.
It's no the cowl that maks the friar.
It's no the gear to traike.
"'Wha kens what would be the upshot o' a second marriage?'
"'That's looking far ben,' replied the laird; 'my wife, to be sure, is a frail woman, but she's no the gear that 'ill traike.'"—The Entail.
It's no the rumblin' cart that fa's first ower the brae.