Wha daur bell the cat?
In addition to the fabulous illustration of the mice and the cat, this proverb has also an historical fact attached to it, which is well known in Scotland. The Scottish nobles of the time of James the Third proposed to meet at Stirling in a body, and take Spence, the king's favourite, and hang him. At a preliminary consultation, Lord Gray remarked, "It is well said, but wha will bell the cat?" The Earl of Angus undertook the task—accomplished it—and till his dying day was called Archibald Bell-the-cat.
Wha never climbs never fa's.
What a'body says maun be true.
For "There's never much talk of a thing but there's some truth in it."—Italian.
What better is the house where the daw rises soon?
"Spoken often by mistresses to their maids when they have been early up, and done little work."—Kelly.
"Early up, and never the nearer."—English.
What carlins hain, cats eat.