Gaelic Proverbs: Self-Interest (1906)

Collected by the Gaelic Revival Association of Ottawa, Ontario

This collection of Irish proverbs was meticulously compiled by Edmund P. Stanton, the Gaelic Revival Association’s language instructor and vice-president, as well as chief clerk of Canada’s Postal Service. Found in one of the only surviving society papers, this treasury gives a glimpse into the language that was being taught and spoken in Ottawa at the time. Stanton believed these proverbs revealed the true character of the Irish mind, introducing his collection by writing:

“For the bulk of Irish or Gaelic proverbs it may safely be said that in felicity of expression, in terseness of phrase, in epigrammatic quality, in compactness of thought, and quick shrewd seizing of a situation with a corresponding readiness to express it, it is hard to beat them… [these proverbs] it is the duty of those imbued with the spirit of the Gaelic movement not only to cherish but to use.”

Self-Interest

Tá gach uile fear go lách go dtéadh bó ‘na gharraí - Everyone is nice till the strange cow gets into his garden

Is mar mhaithe leis féin a dheineas an cat crónán - ‘Tis for his own sake the cat purrs

An té bhí ag roinnt na hÉireann, níor fhág sé é féin chun deiridh - He who is dividing Ireland did not leave himself last

Bíonn cluas bodhar ar an bhfear bhfothalach go deo - A worrying man is always deaf

Aimsíonn an dall a bhéal - Even a blind man finds his mouth

Adapted from prose into list format based on: Gaelic Revival Association of Ottawa. 1906. Ottawa University Review. Vol 8 no 9 (June).

For citation, please use: Gaelic Revival Association of Ottawa. 1906. “Gaelic Proverbs: Self -Interest.” Ó Dubhghaill, Dónall. 2024. Na Gaeil san Áit Ró-Fhuar. Gaeltacht an Oileáin Úir: www.gaeilge.ca