Two good things:—A young man courting, an old man smoking: Two bad things:—An old man courting, a young man smoking. (MacCall: Wexford.)
What is the world to a man when his wife is a widow.
Giving help where it is needed is 'helping the lame dog over the stile.'
'Leave him to God': meaning don't you attempt to punish him for the injury he has done you: let God deal with him. Often carried too far among us.
A hard man at driving a bargain:—'He always wants an egg in the penn'orth.' (Kildare.)
A satirical expression regarding a close-fisted ungenerous man:—'If he had only an egg he'd give you the shell.' (Kildare.)
A man wishes to say to another that they are both of about the same age; and this is how he expresses it:—'When I die of old age you may quake with fear.' (Kildare.)
Speaking of a man with more resources than one:—'It wasn't on one leg St. Patrick came to Ireland.'
When there is a prospect of a good harvest, or any mark of prosperity:—'That's no sign of small potatoes.' (Kildare.)