The Proverbs of Scotland

by Alexander Hislop

Let never sorrow come sae near your heart.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Let that flee stick to the wa'.

"'Hout tout, man! let that flee stick in the wa',' answered his kinsman; 'when the dirt's dry it will rub out.'"—Rob Roy.

Let the eird bear the dike.

"Eird and dike" are earth and stone wall. The proverb means that heavy or important undertakings should have a solid basis.

Let the horns gang wi' the hide.

The horns bearing but insignificant value in comparison with the hide, they should be thrown into the purchase of the latter free of charge.

Let the kirk stand i' the kirkyaird.

That is, let everything be in its proper place.