Irish Proverbs About Patience
Irish patience is not meek. The proverbs here wait with a purpose: the tide that must turn, Níl tuile dá mhéad nach dtránn, no flood however great that does not ebb. And the time that will tell the truth eventually, because Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir.
Some of it is patience with other people: the wise are allowed their faults, the young their young heads. And some is patience worn thin and said anyway. Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhaidh tú féar is what you mutter about help that keeps being promised.
For a hard season, a long project, or a card that wants to say “this will pass” without pretending it is easy, these are the lines.
7 sayings each with its source
- Is maith an scéalaí an aimsirTime will tell.
- Is minic a rinne bromach gioblach capall cumasachMany a ragged colt made a fine horse.
- Mair, a chapaill, agus gheobhaidh tú féarLive, horse, and you will get grass. Promised help that comes too slowly.
- Ná caith an t-uisce salach amach go mbeadh an t-uisce glan istighKeep what you have until the replacement is real.
- Ní bhíonn saoi gan lochtEven Homer nods; nobody is perfect.
- Níl maith a bheith ag caint faoi bhainne doirteThere is no use crying over spilt milk.
- Níl tuile dá mhéad nach dtránnNothing lasts forever; things will settle.