A COLLECTION OF Scotch Proverbs.

Collected by Pappity Stampoy.

LONDON, Printed by R. D. in the Y 1663.

[...]

Scotch Proverbs.

A.
  • A Fair Bride is soon buskt, and a short Horse is soon wispt.
  • A friends Dinner is soon dight.
  • All is not in hand that helps.
  • All the Keys of the Countrey hangs not at one Belt.
  • An ill Cook would have a good Cleaver.
  • As good hand, as draw.
  • As the old Cock craws, the young Cock lears.
  • All fails that fools thinks.
  • A blyth heart makes a blomand visage.
  • A gentle Horse would not be [...] [...]
  • [Page 2]A still Sow eats all the Draff.
  • All things hath a beginning, God excepted.
  • A blind man should not judge of colours.
  • A good fellow tint never, but at an ill fellows hand.
  • All the Corn in the Country is not shorn by the Kempers.
  • A good beginning makes a good ending.
  • As many heads as many wits.
  • A black shoe makes a blythe heart.
  • A Vaunter and a Lyar is both one thing.
  • A dum man wan never land.
  • And old hound bytes sair.
  • A sloathfull man is a Beggers brother.
  • As soon comes the Lamb-skin to the market as the old Sheeps.
  • At open doors Dogs come in.
  • An hungry man sees far.
  • All is not tint that is in peril.
  • [Page 3]As the Sow fills the Draff sowres.
  • A good asker should have a good nay-say.
  • A good ruser was never a good rider.
  • A Lyar should have a good me­mory.
  • Ane Begger is wae, another by the gate gae.
  • A wight man never wanted a weapon.
  • A half-penny Cat may look to the King.
  • As fair greits the bairn that is dung after noon, as he that is dung before noon.
  • An oleit Mother makes a sweir Daughter.
  • A borrowed len should come laughing a hme.
  • As long runs the Fox as he hath feet.
  • A proud heart in a poor breast, has meikle dolour to dree.
  • A teem purse makes a bleat mer­chant.
  • [Page 4]Ane year a Nurish, seven years a Daw.
  • Ane ill word begets another, and it were at at the Bridge at London.
  • A Wool-seller kens a Wool-buy­er.
  • Auld men are twice bairns.
  • All fellows, Jock and the Laird.
  • A hasty man never wanted woe.
  • A silly bairn is eith to lear.
  • As good merchant tines as wins.
  • A racklesse hussy makes mony thieves.
  • A hungry lowse bites sair.
  • Anes payit never crave it.
  • A fools bolt is soon shot.
  • Anes wood, never wise, ay the worse.
  • As the Carle riches he wretches.
  • An ill life, an ill end.
  • A Skabbed Horse is good enough for a skald Squire.
  • A given Horse should not be lookt in the teeth.
  • An old seck craves meikle clout­ing.
  • [Page 5]A travelled man hath leave to lye.
  • A fool when he hes spoken, hes all done.
  • A man that is warned, is half-armed.
  • A mirk mirrour is a mans mind.
  • A full heart lied never.
  • A good Cow may have an ill Calf.
  • A dum man holds all.
  • A Cock is crouse upon his own midding.
  • A greedy man God hates.
  • As fair fights Wrans as Cranes.
  • A skade mans head is soon broke.
  • A yeeld Sow was never good to gryses.
  • An unhappy mans Cairt is eith to tumble.
  • As meikle upwith, as meikle downwith.
  • A new Bissom sweeps clean.
  • A skabbed sheep fyles all the flock.
  • [Page 6]A tarrowing bairn was never fat.
  • A tratler is worse then a thief.
  • An ill shearer gat never a good hook.
  • A burnt bairn fire dreads.
  • All the speed is in the spurs.
  • A word before is worth two be­hinde.
  • An ill win penny will cast down a pound.
  • An old seck is ay skailing.
  • A fair fire makes a room flet.
  • An old Knave is na bairn.
  • A good yeoman makes a good woman.
  • A man hath no more good then he hath good of.
  • A fool may give a wise man a counsell.
  • A man may speir the gate to Rome.
  • As long lives the merry-man, as the wretch for all the craft he can.
  • All wald have all, all wald for­give.
  • [Page 7]Ane may lead a Horse to the water, but four and twenty cannot gar him drink.
  • A bleat Cat makes a proud Mouse.
  • An ill-willy Cow should have short horns.
  • A good piece steil is worth a pen­ny.
  • A shored Tree stands long.
  • A gloved Cat was never a good Hunter.
  • A gangan foot is ay getting, and it were but a thorn.
  • All is not gold that glitters.
  • Ane Swallow makes no summer.
  • A man may spit on his hand, and doe full ill.
  • An ill servant will never be a good maister.
  • An hired Horse tired never.
  • All the winning is in the first buying.
  • An unch is a feast, (of Bread and Cheese.)
  • [Page 8]An Horse may snapper on four feer.
  • All things wytes that well not fares.
  • All things thrive but thrice.
  • Absence is a shro.
  • Auld sin, new shame.
  • A man cannot thrive except his wife let him.
  • A bairn must creep ere he gang.
  • As long as ye bear the tod, ye man bear up his tail.
  • All overs are ill but over the wa­ter.
  • A man may wooe where he will, but wed where is his weard.
  • A mean pot plaid never even.
  • Among twenty four fools not ane wise man.
  • Ane mans meat is another mans poyson.
  • A fool will not give his Bauble for the Tower of London.
  • A foul foot makes a fon wemb.
  • A man is a Lyon in his own cause.
  • [Page 9]A hearty hand to give a hungry meltith.
  • A cumbersome Cur in company is hated for his miscarriage.
  • A poor man is fain of little.
  • An answer in a word.
  • A bettlesse brain cannot lye.
  • A yule feast may be quit at Pasch.
  • A good dog never barkt but a bene.
  • A full seck will take a clout on the side.
  • An ill hound comes halting home.
  • All things helps quoth the Wran, when she pisht in the Sea.
  • All cracks, all beares.
  • All Houndlesse man comes to the best Hunting.
  • All things hes an end, a Pudding hes twa.
  • All is well that ends well.
  • As good hads the stirep as he that loups on.
  • [Page 10]A begun work is half ended.
  • A Scots man is ay wise behind hand.
  • A new tout in all old horn.
  • A broken a Ship hes come to land.
  • As the fool thinks ay the bell clinks.
  • A man may see his friend need, but will not see him bleed.
  • A friend is not known but in need.
  • A friend in Court is worth a penny in purse.
  • All things are good unseyed.
  • A good Goose indeed, but she hes an ill gansell.
  • All are not maidens that wears bare hair.
  • A Mach and a Horshoe are both alike.
  • Airly crooks the Tree that good Lammock should be.
  • An ounce of mother-wit, is worth a pound of clergie.
  • [Page 11]An inch of a nag is worth a span of an aver.
  • A good word is as soon said as an ill.
  • A spoon full of skytter spills a pot full of skins.
B.
  • BEtter give nor take.
  • Better lang little, then soon right nought.
  • Better hand loose, nor bound to an ill baikine.
  • Better late thrive then never.
  • Buy when I bid you.
  • Better sit idle then work for nought.
  • Better learn by your neighbors skaith nor by your own.
  • Better half an egge, nor teem doup.
  • Better apple given nor eaten.
  • Better a Dog faun nor bark on you.
  • [Page 12]Boden gear stinks.
  • Bourd neither with me, nor with my Honour.
  • Betwixt twae stools the arse falls down.
  • Better bide the Cooks nor the Mediciners.
  • Better bairns greit, nor bearded men.
  • Better saucht with little aucht, nor care with many cow.
  • Better two skaiths, nor ane sorrow.
  • Bring a Cow to the Hall, and she will run to the byre again.
  • Better bow nor break.
  • Bear wealth, poverty will bear it self.
  • Better a wit coft, nor two for nought.
  • Better good sale, nor good Ale.
  • Better wooe over midding, nor over mosse.
  • Better happy to court, nor good service.
  • Blaw the wind nere so fast, it will lowen at the last.
  • [Page 13]Better be happy nor wise.
  • Binde fast, finde fast.
  • Better plays a full wemb nor a new coat.
  • Better say, Here it is, nor, Here it was.
  • Better auld debts nor auld sairs.
  • Bourd not with Bawty, fear lest he bite ye.
  • Better a fowl in hand nor twa flying.
  • Better rew sit, nor rew flit.
  • Better spare at the breird nor at the bottome.
  • Better finger off, nor ay wark­ing.
  • Bind the seck ere it be full.
  • Better be well loved, nor ill won geir.
  • Better a clout nor a hole out.
  • Better no ring, nor the ring of a rash.
  • Butter and burn-trouts gar mai­dens f—the wind.
  • Better held out nor put out.
  • [Page 14]Better have a Mouse in the pot as no flesh.
  • Better sit stil, nor rise and get a fall.
  • Better leave nor want.
  • Better buy as borrow.
  • Better be dead as out of the fa­shion.
  • Better unborn nor untaught.
  • Better be envied nor pittied.
  • Better a little fire that warms, nor a meikle that burns.
  • Be the same thing that thou wald be cald.
  • Better a laying Hen nor a lyin Crown.
  • Bannaks is better nor na kind of bread.
  • Black will be no other Hue.
  • Beauty but bounty avails nought.
  • Bairns mother burst never.
  • Breads House skiald never.
  • Biting and scarting is Scots folks wooing.
  • Beware of Had I wist.
  • [Page 15]Better be alone nor in ill com­pany.
  • Better a chigging mother, nor a riding father.
  • Better never begun nor never endit.
  • Bonie silver is soon spendit.
  • Before I wein, and now I wat.
C.
  • CUrtesie is cumbersom to them that kens it not.
  • Come it aire, come it late, in May comes the Cow-quake.
  • Court to the Town, and whore to the window.
  • Calk is na sheares.
  • Clap a carle on the culs, and he will shit in your louf.
  • Cadgers speaks of lead saddles.
  • Changing of works is lighting of hearts.
  • Charge your friend ere you need.
  • [Page 16]Cats eats that Hussies spares.
  • Cast not forth the old water while the new come in.
  • Cease your snow balls casting.
  • Crabbit was, and cause had.
  • Comparisons are odious.
  • Cold cools the love that kindles over hot.
  • Cut duels in every Town.
  • Condition makes, and condi­tion breakes.
  • Come not to the councell uncal­led.
D.
  • DEad and marriage makes Term­day.
  • Do weiland have weil.
  • Do as ye wald be done to.
  • Do in Hill, as ye wald do in Hall.
  • Dame dein warily.
  • Dummie cannot lie.
  • Draff is good enough for Swine.
  • Dead at the one door, and heir­ship at the other.
  • [Page 17]Do well, and doubt no man; and do weil, and doubt all men.
  • Do the likeliest, and God will do the best.
  • Drunken wife gat ay the drun­ken penny.
  • Drink and drouth comes sindle together.
  • Dead men bites not.
  • Dassing dow nothing.
  • Dogs will red swine.
  • Drive out the inch as thou hast done the span.
  • Dirt parts company.
E.
  • EVery man can rule an ill wife, but he that hes Her.
  • Eaten meat is good to pay.
  • Eild wald have Honour.
  • Evening Orts is good morning­fother.
  • Every man wisheth the water to his own milne.
  • [Page 18]Early maister, lang knave.
  • Every land hes his lauch, and e­very co [...]e hes the caff.
  • Eat and drink measurely, and de­fie the mediciners.
  • Every man for Himself, quoth the mertine.
  • Efter delay comes a Let.
  • Efter long mint, never dint.
  • Every man flams the fat sows Arse.
  • Experience may teach a fool.
  • Every man wats best where his own shoe binds him.
  • Efter word comes weard.
F
  • FOul water slokens fire.
  • Fools are fain of flitting.
  • Falshood made never a fair Hin­der-end.
  • Far fowls have fair feathers.
  • Follie is a bonny Dog.
  • Fair heights makes fools fain.
  • [Page 19]Freedome is a fair thing.
  • For a tint thing care not.
  • Fool hast is no speed.
  • For fault of wisemen fools sits on binks.
  • Forbid a fool a thing, and that he will do.
  • Fools set far trystes.
  • For love of the Nuris, many kis­ses the Bairn.
  • Fair words brake never bane, foul words man, ane.
  • Fools make feasts, and wise men cat them.
  • Fools are fain of right nought.
  • Far sought, and dear bought, is good for Ladies.
  • Follow love, and it will flee from thee; leave it, and it will follow thee.
  • Fill fow, and had fow, makes a starke man.
  • Fools should have no chappin sticks.
  • Fidlers dogs and flies, come to the feast uncalled.
  • [Page 20]Fire is good for the farcy.
  • Few words sufficeth to a wise man.
  • Friendship stands not in One side.
G.
  • GIve never the Wolf the Wed­der to keep.
  • Gods help is nearer nor the fair evin.
  • Good wine needs not a wisp.
  • Grace is best for the marr.
  • Goe shoe the Geese.
  • Giff, gaff, makes good friends.
  • Good chear, and good cheap, garres many haunt the House.
  • God sends men cold, as they have clothes to.
  • Good-will should be tane in part of payment.
  • God sends never the mouth, but the meat with it.
  • Girne when you knit, and laugh when ye loose.
  • [Page 21]Go to the Devil for Gods-sake.
  • God sends meat, and the Devil sends Cooks.
H.
  • HAd-I-fish, was never good with Garlick.
  • He that is welcome fares well.
  • He that spends his geir on a whore, hes both shame and skaith.
  • Hunger is good Kitchin-meat.
  • He mon have leave to speak that cannot had his tongue.
  • He that is far from his geir, is near his skaith.
  • He that lippens to bon plows, his land will ly ley.
  • He rides sicker that fell never.
  • Help thy self, and God will help thee.
  • He that will not hear mother­head, shall hear stepmotherhead.
  • He that crabs without cause, should mease without mends.
  • [Page 22]He that spares to speak, spares to speed.
  • He that may not do as he would, mon do as he may.
  • He is well e [...]t that hes ought of his [...] when others go to meat.
  • He [...] does ill hates the light.
  • He th [...] speaks the things he should [...] the things he would not.
  • He that is evil deem'd is half hang'd.
  • He that tholes, overcomes.
  • He rises over early that is hangit ere noon.
  • He that forsakes missour, missour forsake him.
  • Half a tale is enough to a wise man.
  • He that hews over hie, the spail will fall into his eye.
  • He that eats while he lasts, will be the war while he die.
  • He is a weak Horse that may not bear the Saddle.
  • [Page 23]He that borrows and bigs; makes feasts and thigs; drinks and is not dry; these three are not thrifty.
  • He is a proud Tod that will not scrape his own Hole.
  • He is wise, when he is well can had him sa.
  • He is poor that God Hates.
  • He is wise, that is ware in time.
  • He is wise who can make a friend of a foe.
  • Hair, and hair, makes the Carles head bare.
  • Hear all parties.
  • He that is red for windlestraws, should not sleep in lees.
  • He that is fraid of a far— should never hear thunder.
  • He is not the fool that the fool is, but he that with the fool deals.
  • He loves me for little that hates me for nought.
  • He that hes twa huirds, is able to get the third.
  • He is a sairy beggar that may [Page 24]not goe by ane mans door.
  • Hall-binks are sliddery.
  • He is not the best Wright that hews the maniest speals.
  • He that evill does, never good weins.
  • Hoordom and grace, can never bide in one place.
  • He that counts all costs, will ne­ver put plow in the yeard.
  • He that slayes, shall be slain.
  • He that is ill of his harbery, is good of his way kenning.
  • He that will not when he may, shall not when he wald.
  • Hanging gangs by hap.
  • He that comes un-call'd sits un­serv'd.
  • He was scant of news, that told his Father was hang'd.
  • He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he will.
  • He that was born to be hang'd will never be drown'd.
  • He gangs early to steal, that cannot say Na.
  • [Page 25]He that shames, shall be shent.
  • He should wear iron shone, that bides his neighbours deed.
  • Half a nuch is half fill.
  • Hunger is hard in a heal man.
  • He is a sairy Cook, that may not lick his own fingers.
  • He is good that fail'd never.
  • He plaints early that plaints on his kail.
  • He that does his turn in time, sits half idle.
  • He is twise fain, that sits on a flane.
  • Hald in geir, helps well.
  • Hunting, hawking, and para­mours, for one joy an hundred dis­pleasures.
  • He that marries e're he be wise, will die e're he thrive.
  • He that marries a Daw, eats mei­kle dirt.
  • Huly and fair men rides far jour­neys.
  • Hast makes wast.
  • [Page 26]He that looks not e're he loup, will fall e're he wit of himself.
  • He that counts but his Host, counts twise.
  • He that hes gold may buy land.
  • He should have a heal pow, that cals his neighbour nikkynow.
  • He is worth no weil that may bide no wae.
  • He that owes the Cow goes nea­rest her tail.
  • He should have a long shafted spoon that sups kail with the Devil.
  • Happy man, happy cavil.
  • He sits above that deals alkers.
  • Hame is hamely, though never so seemly.
  • He hes wit at will, that with an­gry heart can hold him still.
  • He that is hated of his subjects cannot be counted a King.
  • Hap and an halfpennie is world geir enough.
  • He is sairest dung when his own wand dings him.
  • [Page 27]He calls me scabbed, because I will not call him skade.
  • He is blind that eats his marrow, but far blinder that lets him.
  • Have God and have All.
  • Honesty is na pride.
  • He that fishes afore the net, long e're he fish get.
  • He tint never a Cow, that grat for a needle.
  • He that hes no geir to tine, hes shins to pine.
  • Hea, will gar a deaf man hear.
  • He that takes all his geir fra himself, and gives it to his bairns, it were weil ward to take a mell and knock out his hairns.
  • He sits full still that hes a riven briek.
  • He that does bidding, deserves na dinging.
  • He that blaws best bears away the Horn.
  • He is well staikit thereben, that will neither borrow, nor len.
I.
  • ILl weeds waxes weil.
  • It is ill to bring out of the flesh that is bred in the bene.
  • It is a fairy brewing that is not good in the newing.
  • It's tint that is done to old men and bairns.
  • It is a silly flock where the yow bears the bell.
  • Ill win, ill warit.
  • In some mens aught mon the old horse die.
  • It is a sooth board that men sees wakin.
  • In space, comes Grace.
  • It is a sin to lye on the Devil.
  • It is cith till, that the awn self will.
  • It is good mows that fills the wemb.
  • It is na time to stoup when the head is off.
  • [Page 29]It is fair in the hall, when beards wag all.
  • It will come in an hour, that will not come in a year.
  • If thou do no ill, do no ill like.
  • If he steal not my kail, break not my dike.
  • If he may spend meikle, put the more to the fire.
  • If I can get his cart at a Waltar, I shall lend it a put.
  • If I may not keep geese, I shall keep gesline.
  • It is kindly that the poke sair of the Herring.
  • It is eith to cry yule on another man's cost.
  • Ilk a man as he loves, let him send to the Cooks.
  • It is eith to swim where the head is hild up.
  • It is weil warit they have sor­row, that buyes it with their silver.
  • If ane will not, another will.
  • It is ill to take a breik off a bare.
  • [Page 30]It is dear bought honey that is lickt off a thorn.
  • If God be with us, who will be against us.
  • It is weil warit that wasters want geir.
  • It is ill to bring but the thing that is not thereben.
  • It that lies not in your gate, breaks not your shins.
  • It is na play where ane greits, and another laughs.
  • If a man knew what would be dear, he would be but Merchant for a year.
  • It is true that all men sayes.
  • I have a good bow, but it is in the Castle.
  • It is hard to fling at the brod, or kick at the prick.
  • Ilk man mend ane, and all will be mendit.
  • It is a sairy collop that is tane off a Capon.
  • Ill bairns are best heard at home.
  • [Page 31]It is ill to waken sleeping dogs.
  • Ill herds makes fat wolfes.
  • It is hard to wive and thrive in a year.
  • It is good sleeping in a heal skin.
  • It is not tint that is done to friends.
  • It is ill to draw a strea before an old Cat.
  • It is a pain both to pay and pray.
  • It is good fishing in drumbling waters.
  • It is little of God's might, to make a poor man a Knight.
  • It is good baking besides meal.
  • It is a good Goose that drops ay.
  • It is not the habit that makes the Monck.
  • It is not good to want, and to have.
  • It hes neither—, nor elbow.
  • I shall sit on his skirt.
  • It is a bare Moor that he goes o­ver, and gets not a Cow.
  • I shall hold his Nose to the Grindstone.
  • [Page 32]It goes as meikle in his heart, as in his heel.
  • It goes in at one ear, and out at the other.
  • It is na mair pitty to see a Wo­man greit, nor to see a Goose go barefoot.
  • It is well said, but who will bell the Cat?
  • It is short while seen the louse boore the langelt.
  • I have a sliddery Eel by the tail.
  • It is as meet as a Sow to bear a Saddle.
  • It is as meet as a thief for the widdie.
  • I would I had as meikle pepper as he counts himself worthy Mice dirt.
  • It will be an ill web to bleitch.
  • I cannot find you both tails and ears.
  • It is ill to make a bowing horn of a tods tail.
  • If ever ye make a lucky pudding, I shall eat the prick.
  • [Page 33]It that God will give, the Devil cannot reave.
  • In a good time I speak it, in a better I leave it.
  • It's a silly pack that may not pay the custom.
  • I have seen as light a green.
  • It's a cold coal to blow at.
  • It is a sair feild where all are dung down.
  • It's a sair dung bairn that dare not greit.
  • I wat where my own shoe binds me.
  • If ye wanted me, and your meat, you would want ane good friend.
K.
  • KIndnesse lies not ay in ane side of the house.
  • Kings caff is worth other mens corn.
  • Kame single, kame sair.
  • Kings have a long ears.
  • [Page 34]Kindnesse comes of will.
  • Kindnesse will creep where it may not gang.
  • Kail spares bread.
  • Kindnesse cannot be bought for geir.
  • Kamesters are ay creeshie.
  • Knowledge is eith born about.
  • Kings are out of play.
  • Kings and Bears oft worries their Keepers.
L
  • LAith to bed, laith out of it.
  • Like draws to like, a skabbed Horse to an old dyke.
  • Lear young, lear fair.
  • Little intermitting makes good friends.
  • Little sayd is soon mended, and a little geir is soon spended.
  • Long tarrowing takes all the thank away.
  • Long lean makes hameald cattell.
  • [Page 35]Little wit makes meikle travel.
  • Let them that are cold blow at the coal.
  • Little may an old Horse do, if he may not neigh.
  • Love hes no lack.
  • Long standing, and little ofter­ing, makes a poor price.
  • Leave the Court, ere the Court leave thee.
  • Long ere you cut Falkland-wood with a Pen-knife.
  • Light supper makes long life.
  • Liked geir is half bought.
  • Lucke and bone voyage.
  • Like to die mends not the Kirk­yard.
  • Lordships changes manners.
  • Let him drink as he hes browen.
  • Light winning makes a heavy purse.
  • Likely lies in the mire, and un­likely goes by it.
  • Live, and let live.
  • Love me, love my dog.
  • [Page 36]Laugh, and lay down again.
  • Livelesse, faultlesse.
  • Laith to the drink, laith fra it.
  • Last in bed, best heard.
  • Lightly comes, lightly goes.
  • Lads will be men.
  • Lata is long and dreigh.
  • Little wats an ill hussie what a dinner holds in.
  • Lips go, lapsago, he that eats, let him pay.
  • Let alone makes many lurden.
  • Little kens the wife that fits by the fire, how the wind blows cold in hurle-burle swyre.
  • Little troubles the eye, but far lesse the soul.
  • Love me little, and love me long.
M.
  • MAny do lack, that yet would fain have in their pack.
  • Many smalls makes a great.
  • [Page 37]Measure, is Treasure.
  • Mint, ere ye strike.
  • Many irons in the fire, part must cool.
  • Men may buy Gold over dear.
  • Many speaks of Robin Hood, that never shot in his Bow.
  • Maidens should be meek while they be married.
  • Many purses holds friends toge­ther.
  • Misterfull folk must not be mensfull.
  • Meat makes, and clothes shapes, but manners makes a man.
  • Many hands makes light work.
  • Meat is good, but Mense is bet­ter.
  • Make not twa mewes of ane daughter.
  • Many maisters, quoth the Pod­dock to the Harrow, when every tind took her a knock.
  • Meat and Masse, never hindred man.
  • [Page 38]Maistery mowes the Meadows down.
  • March Whisquer was never a good Fisher.
  • Mister makes men of craft.
  • Make no balks of good beer­land.
  • Mickle water runs, where the Miller sleeps.
  • Many brings the rake, but few the shovel.
  • Meikle must a good heart thole.
  • Many man makes an errand to the hall to bid the Lady good-day.
  • Many cares for meal that has baken bread enough.
  • Make not meikle of little.
  • Meikle spoken, part must spill.
  • Many tines the half-mark whin­ger for the half-penny whang.
  • Messengers should neither be headed nor hanged.
  • Meikle hes, would ay have more.
  • Men are blind in their own cause.
  • [Page 39]Musle not the Oxens mouth.
  • Many words would have meikle drink.
  • Many man speirs the gate he kens full well.
  • Man propones, but God dis­pones.
  • Millers take ay the best Multar with their own Hand.
  • Many man serves a thanklesse master.
  • Mustard after meat.
  • Many words fills not the furlot.
  • Meikle Head, little Wit.
  • Many Aunts many Eames, ma­ny kin, and few friends.
  • Mends is worth misdeeds.
  • Men goes over the dike at the laichest.
  • Might oftentimes overcomes right.
N.
  • NEirest the King, neirest the Widdie.
  • [Page 40]No man can play the fool so weil as the wise man.
  • No plea is best.
  • Nature passes Nurture.
  • New Lords, new Laws.
  • Neirest the heart, neirest the mouth.
  • Na man can both sup and blow together.
  • Nothing comes sooner to light, than that which is long hid.
  • Nothing enters in a close Hand.
  • Neir is the Kirtle, but neirer is the Sark.
  • Need hes no law.
  • No man may puind for unkind­nesse.
  • Neirest to the Kirk, farthest fra God.
  • Need makes Virtue.
  • Never rade, never fell.
  • Nothing is difficile to a weill willed man.
  • Need gars naked men run, and sorrow gars Websters spin.
  • [Page 41]No man can seek his marrow in the Kirn, so weil as he that hes bin in it himself.
  • No man makes his own hap.
  • No penny, no pardon.
O.
  • OF the Earth mon the dike be biggit.
  • Of other mens leather, men takes large whangs.
  • Over hot, over cold.
  • Of two ills choose the least.
  • Over meikle of any thing is good for nothing.
  • Of ane ill comes many.
  • Of enough, men leave.
  • Over high, over laigh.
  • Of need make Virtue.
  • Over fast, over loose.
  • Of all War, Peace is the final end.
  • Over great familiarity genders despight.
  • [Page 42]Of ill Debtors men takes Oattes.
  • Over jolly dow not.
  • Oft counting makes good friends.
  • Of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
  • Over narrow counting culzies no kindnesse.
  • Out of sight, out of langer.
P.
  • PUt twa half-pennies in a purse, and they will draw together.
  • Put not your hand betwixt the rind and the Tree.
  • Pith is good in all Playes.
  • Penny wise, pound fool.
  • Puddings and Paramours would be hotly handled.
  • Poverty parts good company, and is an enemy to vertue.
  • Put a begger on horseback, and he will ride fast, or else break his neck.
  • Preists and Doves, make foul houses.
  • [Page 43]Painters and Poets may have leave to lie.
  • Put your hand no farther nor your sleeve may reek.
  • Plenty, is na Dainty.
  • Pride and sweirnesse would have meikle upholding.
  • Patience perforce.
  • Poor men are fain of little thing.
  • Poor men (they say) have no souls.
  • Possession is worth an ill char­tour.
  • Play with your peers.
  • Pride will have a fall.
  • Provision in season makes a rich meason.
  • Peter in, and Paul out.
  • Put that in the next few.
  • Put your hand into the creel, and you will get either an adder, or an Eele.
Q.
  • Quhat better is the house that the Daw rises in the morning.
  • [Page 44]Quha may wooe, but Cost?
  • Quhen the well is full, it will run over.
  • Quhair the Deer is slain, some bloud will lie.
  • Quhom God will help, no man can hinder.
  • Quhen the eye sees not, the heart rewes not.
  • Quhen friends meets, hearts warms.
  • Quhen I am dead, make me a caddel.
  • Quhair the Pig breaks, let the shels lie.
  • Quhiles the hawk hes, and whiles he hunger hes.
  • Quha may hold that will away?
  • Quhen wine is in, wits out.
  • Quhair stands your great horse?
  • Quhen a man is full of lust, his wemb is full of leasing.
  • Quhen the good-wife is fra hame, the keys are tint.
  • Quhen the Steed is stoon, steik the stable-door.
  • [Page 45]Quhen Taylours are true, there is little good to shew.
  • Quhiles thou, whiles I, soe goes the Bailleri.
  • Quhen the craw flees, her tail follows.
  • Quhen thy neighbours house is on fire, take tent to thy own.
  • Quhen the good-man is fra hame, the board-cloth is tint.
  • Quhen the fron is hot, it is time to strike.
  • Quhen the Play is best, it is best to lear.
  • Quhen all men speaks, no man hears.
  • Quhen the Tod preaches, beware of the hens.
  • Quhen the belly is full the bones would be at rest.
  • Quhen the cup is fullest, bear it evenest.
  • Qhuen thieves reckons, leal men comes to their geir.
R.
  • [Page 46]RYme spares no man.
  • Ruse the fair day at even.
  • Rhue and time, grows both in ane garden.
  • Reason band the man.
  • Rome was not bigged on the first Day.
  • Racklesse youth makes a goustie Age.
  • Reavers should not be rewers.
  • Rule youth well, and eild will rule it sell.
  • Ruse the Ford, as ye find it.
S.
  • SCots-men reckon ay fra an ill hour.
  • Send, and fetch.
  • Sairy be your meil-poke, and ay your nieve in the nook on't.
  • Sike Priest, sike Offering.
  • [Page 47]Swear by your brunt shins.
  • Seying goes good cheap.
  • She that takes gifts her self, she sels; and she that gives, does nought else.
  • She is a sairy mouse, that hes but one Hole.
  • Shod in the cradle, bair-foot in the Stubble.
  • Spit on the Stane, and it will be wet at the last.
  • Sike lippes, sike Latace.
  • Soon gotten, soon spended.
  • Saw thin, and maw thin.
  • Speir at Jock-thief my marrow, if I be a leal man.
  • Seldom rides, tynes the spurres.
  • She's a foul bird that fyles her own nest.
  • Sike man, sike master.
  • Seil comes not while sorrow be gone.
  • Sooth bourd is na bourd.
  • Sike a man as thou would be, draw thee to sike company.
  • [Page 48]Seldom lies the Devil dead by the dike side.
  • Sike father, sike son.
  • Soft fire makes sweet malt.
  • Sturt payes na Debt.
  • Self do, self ha.
  • Surfeit slayes mae nor the sword,
  • Shame shall fall them that shame thinks, to do themselves a good turn.
  • Shew me the man, and I will shew you the Law.
  • Seek your sauce where you get your Ale.
  • Shro the ghuest the house is the war of.
  • Sokeing sale is best.
  • Send him to the sea and he will not get water.
  • Shame is past the shad of your haire.
  • She hath past the discipline of a Tavern.
  • Sain you will fra the Devil, and the Lairds bairns.
  • [Page 49]Small winning makes a heavy purse.
  • Sike answer as a man gives, sike will he get.
  • Soon ripe, soon rotten.
T.
  • TWo Wolves may worry ane Sheep.
  • There is remead for all things but starke dead.
  • There is little to the rake to get after the beisome.
  • There came never ill of good Advisement.
  • There was never a Cake, but it had a make.
  • There is no friend, to a friend in mister.
  • Take time while time is, for time will away.
  • Tide and time, bides na man.
  • Time tries the truth.
  • The mair haste, the war speed.
  • [Page 50]The tree falls not at the first strake.
  • Thou wilt get no more of the cat, but the skin.
  • There are many sooth words spo­ken in bourding.
  • There is na thief without a Re­setter.
  • There is many a fair thing full false.
  • There is na man so deaf as he that will not hear.
  • There was never a fair word in flyting.
  • The mouth that lyes, slayes the soul.
  • Trot mother, trot father, how should the foal amble?
  • They were never fain that fidgit.
  • Two fools in ane house, is over many.
  • The day hes eyne, the night hes ears.
  • The more ye tramp in a— it grows the broader.
  • [Page 51]That which hussies spares, Cats eat.
  • The weakest goes to the walls.
  • There is no medicine for fear.
  • Touch a gall'd Horse on the back and he will fling.
  • There is no fool to an old fool.
  • There is none without a fault.
  • The longer we live, the more farlies we see.
  • They are welcome that brings.
  • Twa Daughters, and a back­door, are three stark thieves.
  • The Piper wants meikle, that wants the nether chafts.
  • There came never a large Fart forth of a Wrans—
  • Teem bags rattles.
  • The thing that is fristed, is not forgiven.
  • Take part of the pelf when the pack is a dealing.
  • Tread on a Worm and she will stir her tail.
  • They are lightly herrite, that hes all their awn.
  • [Page 52]The Craw thinks her awn Bird fairest.
  • They buy good cheap that brings nothing hame.
  • Thraw the wand while it is green.
  • The Sowter's wife is worst shod.
  • They will know by an half-pen­ny if a Preist will take offering.
  • The worst world that ever was, some man wan.
  • The Tailours wife is worst clad.
  • Take him up there with his five Egges, and four of them rotten.
  • Thy tongue is no slander.
  • This bolt came never out of your bag.
  • There is little sap in dry peis hools.
  • Tarrowing bairns were never fat.
  • The mother of mischief is na mair nor a midgewing.
  • The higher up, the greater fall.
  • There are many fair words in the marriage making, but few in the tochergood paying.
  • [Page 53]True love kythes in time of need.
  • There is nothing mair precious nor time.
  • The mair cost, the mair honour.
  • The lesse play the better.
  • They that speirs meikle will get wot of part.
  • There is meikle between word and deed.
  • There are mae wayes to the wood nor ane.
  • The blind Horse is hardiest.
  • The mae the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.
  • They are good willy of their Horse that hes none.
  • Three may keep counsel if twa be away.
  • They put at the Cairt, that is ay gangan.
  • Twa wits is better nor ane.
  • They laugh ay that wins.
  • There are mae maidens, nor maukin.
  • They mense little the mouth, that bites off the nose.
  • [Page 54]There is nothing so crouse, as a new washen louse.
  • They are as wise, as speir not.
  • This world will not last ay.
  • Twa hungry meltithes makes the third a glutton.
  • The grace of God is geir enough.
  • Thou shouldst not tell thy foe when thy foot sleeps.
  • The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men.
  • There belongs mair to a bed nor four bare leggs.
  • They had never an ill day, that had a good evening.
  • There is meikle hid meat in a Goose eye.
  • Take a man by his word, and a Cow by her horn.
  • The shots overgoes the old swine.
  • Touch me not on the sair heel.
  • The Malt is above the Meal.
  • There is a dog in the well.
  • Thy Thumb is under my Belt.
  • [Page 55]The goose-pan is above the roast.
  • The next time ye dance, wit whom ye take by the hand.
U.
  • USe your friend as ye would have him.
  • Unskilfull mediciners, and horse­marshels slayes, both man and beast.
  • Use makes perfectnesse.
W.
  • WEll done, soon done.
  • Wonder lasts but nine nights in a Town.
  • We have a craw to pluck.
  • Whatrax my Jo, I ken your coptan.
  • Wrang hes no warrand.
  • Wont beguil'd the Lady.
  • Wit in a poor mans head, and mosse in a mountain, avails nothing.
  • Weil is that weil does.
  • [Page 56]Well good-mother-daughter.
  • Whatrax of the feed, where the frendship dow not.
  • Wood in wildernesse, & strength in a fool.
  • Weapons bodes peace.
  • Wiles help weak folk.
  • Waken not sleeping dogs.
  • Women and bairns keep counsell of that they ken not.
  • We hounds slew the Hare, quoth the messoun.
  • Wishers and woulders are poor householders.
  • Weil worth aw, that gars the plough draw.
  • Words are but winde, but dunts are the Devill.
  • With empty hand no man should hawks allure.
  • Wark bears witnesse who weil does.
  • Wrang hearing makes wrang re­hearsing.
  • Wealth gars wit waver.
  • [Page 57]Weil bides, weil betides.
  • Wrong count is no payment.
Y.
  • YE should be a King [...]f your word.
  • Your winning is no my tinsel.
  • Ye may puind for debt, but not for unkindnesse.
  • Ye learn your Father to get bairns.
  • Ye will break your crag as soon as your fast in his house.
  • Ye ride a bootlesse errand.
  • Ye may not sit in Rome, and strive with the Pope.
  • Ye seek grace at a gracelesse face.
  • Ye strive against the stream.
  • Ye drive a Snail to Rome.
  • Youth never casts for peril.
  • Ye seek hot water under cold ice.
  • Ye breed of the cat, ye would fain have fish, but ye have na will to wet your feet.
  • [Page 58]Youth and age will never agree.
  • Ye will get war bodes ere Beltan.
  • Ye breed of the gouk, ye have not a rime but ane.
  • Ye may drink of the burn, but not bite of the brae.
  • Ye cannot make a silk purse of a sows lug.
  • Ye have a face to God, and an­other to the Devil.
  • Ye breed of the Millers dog, ye lick your lips ere the poke be open.
  • Ye would doe little for God, and the Devil were dead.
  • Ye have a ready mouth for a ripe cherry.

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