[IRISH PROVERBS.]
The proverbs and moral sayings of a nation have always been considered to possess a remarkable interest, not only on account of the practical wisdom embodied in them, but for the insight which to a great extent they afford into the peculiar character and habits of thought of the people to whom they belong. Wisdom, it is true, is essentially the same in all countries, but the expression of it must vary according to the temperament and modes of thinking which are found to characterise the people of different nations; and hence the proverbs of every people have been deemed worthy of preservation, as well for purposes of comparison as for their own intrinsic value. If, however, there be any nation the proverbs of which remain almost wholly unknown to the people of the British islands generally, it is the Irish, of whose popular sayings no specimens have ever been given in an English dress, except a collection of about eighty, which were contributed to the first volume of the Dublin Penny Journal by our able and estimable friend Mr O'Donovan, who well observes, that "a perfect list of the proverbs of any people is, as it were, an index to the national character, or the elements of the moral notions, customs, and manners of a people." A vast body of such characteristic popular wisdom still remains hidden in the obscurity of its original vernacular form, and we trust that we shall render our readers an acceptable service in presenting them from time to time with translated portions, accompanied by the original Irish, which we are equally anxious to preserve.
1.
fearr mine na buirbe ṁor
fearr coir na dul ċum dliġe
fearr teaċ beag is teann loin
na teaċ mor is beagan biḋ
Gentleness is better than violent anger.
Compromising is better than going to law.
A small house and a plentiful store
Are better than a large house and little food.
2.
Iomad gloir ag neaċ
to ḃeir sin neiṁċion ara ċeill
deineann duine le hiomad gloir
spaidean don ċoir fein
Too much talkativeness in a man
Brings his good sense into disrepute;
Because a man by a superfluity of words
Only detracts from the force of truth.
3.
ni troimede an loċ an eala
ni troimede an t'eaċ a srian
ni troimede an ċaora a holann
'sni troimede an ċolann ciall