Ní gnáth orgain cen scéola.

(not * usual * massacre * without * survivor)

However harsh the battle, someone usually survives to tell the tale.

In “Scél Tuain meic Cairill” in LU, Tuan says “ar ní gnáth orgain cen scéola do ernam esi do innisin scél dara n-esi; is mesi dano in fer sin” (for it is not usual for there to be battle-slaughter without a survivor to escape to tell the tale afterwards, and I am indeed that man). The word “scéola”, which can be translated as “news-bearer” or “survivor”, is derived from “scél” (tale, news). The ninth entry for the year 1582 in the Annals of the Four Masters says “gé nách gnáth ár gan élóidhtheach” (although a battle without a fugitive is not usual). Modern formulations given in “A Miscellany” are “Níl cath dá mhéid nach dtigeann duine as,” and “Is cruaidh an cath ó nach dtig fear innsidh an sgéil.”

Topics: Proverbial Sayings War