War

Immgaib ág ocus not·imgéba.

(avoid * battle * and * it will avoid you)

Avoid a fight and it will avoid you.

Gal chon for otrach sin.

(battle fury * of dogs * on * dunghill * that)

That’s the sound and fury of dogs on a dung heap.

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.

Láech cach fer co forragar.

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

Every man is a hero until he meets defeat.

Mallacht a gaiscid fair!

(curse * of his * weaponry * on him)

A curse on his weapons!

Íbait fíaich lúgbairt lacht!

(will drink * ravens * of (battle) garden * milk)

Ravens will drink the milk of battle!

Mór de chóemaib do·rochratar ann i mbúaile báis.

(great * of * fair ones * have fallen * there * in * cattle fold * of death)

Many fair men fell there in the fold of death.

Ní ar lín óc brister cath.

(not * according to * number * of warriors * is broken * a battle)

Numbers alone don’t win a battle.

Ferr síd sochocad.

(better * peace * (than) a successful war)

Peace is better than a successful war.