Maxims & Wise Counsel

Ól cen íttu cen mescai...

Ól cen íttu cen mescai.
Proind shéim cen sáith cen gortai.

(Drinking * without * thirst * without * drunkenness
Meal * light * without * fullness * without * hunger)

In drinking, neither thirsty nor drunk.
In eating, neither sated nor hungry.

Is é tadall ségainne...

Is é tadall ségainne
áit i fera céilide,
dotháet i tech, snaidid crann,
gaibid rann co éimige.

(is * it * visit * of * skill
place * in [which] * pours forth * social visiting
he comes * into * house * carves * wood
sings * quatrain * with * opportuneness)

It’s a skilfull visit
to a social gathering:
he comes inside, whittles a stick,
and sings an appropriate rhyme.

Ná h-abair-se bréithir móir...

Ná h-abair-se bréithir móir
ná h-abair nach tibre chóir,
ór is nár a rádh co tenn
muna fedtar a comall.

(not * say [emphatic] * words * great
not * say * which-not * you might give * rightly
for * is * shame * its * saying * with * force
if not * is possible* its * fulfillment)

Don’t make grand statements
and don’t promise what you can’t rightly give,
for it is shameful to boast of things
that you cannot deliver.

Ferr cach maín mainbthig mifhocal már marta.

(Better * (than) * every * treasure * rich * evil word * of death)

A great killing curse is better than any opulent treasure.

Narop dál co n-attáil.

(let it not be * agreement * with * re-agreement)

Don’t deal and then redeal.

Ní bhiann gort gan diasach fiadh...

Ní bhiann gort gan diasach fiadh…

(not * is habitually * field * without * ears of grain * wild)

There’s never a field of grain without some wild oats.

Ferr sobarthan iná imbed.

(better * prosperity * than * excess)

Better plenty than too much.

Ardibdaba dochell blátha.

(will cut off * inhospitality * flowers)

Inhospitality will destroy flowers.

Is beó nech tar éis a anma...

Is beó nech tar éis a anma, ocus ní beó d’éis a einigh.

(is * living * one * after * his * soul * and * is not * alive * after * his * honor)

A man lives after losing his life, but he does not live after losing his honor.

Is uilliu a somailse isind aimsir imbi fáilid nech.

(is * greater * their * sweetness * in the * time * in which is * cheerful * one)

Food and drink taste sweeter whenever one is happy.