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Total Quotations: 426

Cuilén caitt...

Cuilén caitt
nod·n-aile hé comba haitt;
ó ro·gaib míadugad
téit úait fri fíadugad.

(cub * of cat /
that you raise it * him * that it might be * pleasant /
after * it has gotten * honoring /
it goes * from you * to * acting wild)

A kitten
that you raise to be companionable;
after getting the royal treatment,
it leaves you to go off prowling!

Bid co h-eistechtach cailli...

Bid co h-eistechtach cailli,
bid co féchsanach muigi,
oir ní fedrais, mór in mod,
nach biad t’ escara it fharrad.

(be * hearingful * of forest /
be * watchful * of plain /
for * not * you know - great * the * deed /
that not * would be * your * enemy * in your * presence)

Keep your ears open in the forest
and your eyes open on the plain,
for you don’t know – this is important –
whether your enemy is near.

Dá trian do mhíne re mnáibh...

Dá trian do mhíne re mnáibh
is re h-echlachuib urláir,
re h-aes dána dénta duan;
nárbhat dian re daescar-shlúagh.

(two * third * of * gentleness * to * women /
and * to * attendants * of floor /
to * folk * of poetry * of making * songs /
be not * severe * to * lowly people)

Two thirds of your gentleness to women,
and to domestic servants,
and to the poets who make songs;
don’t be hard on common folk.

Is dorn imm ceó.

(is * fist * around * fog)

It is like a fistful of fog.

Maircc chuindges ní for carait...

Maircc chuindges ní for carait
minab lainn leis a tabairt;
is é déde nostá de,
miscais ocus oirbire.

(woeful * who requests * thing * upon * friend /
if not is * desire * with him * its * giving /
is * it * two things * which he has * of it /
hatred * and * reproach)

Woe to him who asks a friend
for something he doesn’t wish to give;
the two things he gets for it
are ill feeling and rebuke.

Láech cach fer co forragar.

(warrior * every * man * until * is overcome)

Every man is a hero until he meets defeat.

Is búaine blad iná seóid.

(is * more lasting * fame * than * wealth)

Fame is more lasting than wealth.

Bes ildánach bid ildírech.

(who [will be / is] multi-skilled [will be / is always] multi-honour-priced)

Whoever is highly skilled is always highly valued.

Nítat tabarthai baí duit ar dartaib.

(are not * to be given * cows * for you * in exchange for * yearling heifers)

You shouldn’t trade in your cows for calves.

méitithir muldorn míled

(as big * (as) rounded-fist * of soldier)

as big as the balled-up fist of a fighter