Irish Proverbs About Wisdom
This is the largest group on the site, and the most quotable. Irish wisdom proverbs are short, concrete and usually about work. Learning comes from doing, a good start is half the job, there is no victory without effort.
They are also unsparing about self-interest. Ar mhaithe leis féin a bhíonn an cat ag crónán points out that the cat purrs for its own benefit, which is as close as the tradition gets to a theory of motivation.
A word about the ones that mention God. Irish proverb and Irish prayer are not cleanly separable, and several of the best-known wisdom sayings are religious in form. They are included as they are printed, without being tidied into secular versions.
If you are looking for a line for a graduation, a speech or a print, this is the page to start on: Tús maith leath na hoibre has been doing that job for a very long time.
36 sayings each with its source
- Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eileIt takes one to know one.
- An áit a mbíonn deatach bíonn tineThere is no smoke without fire.
- An ní nach bhfeiceann súil ní bhrónann croíWhat the eye sees not, the heart rues not.
- An té nach bhfuil láidir ní foláir dó bheith glicWhoever is not strong had better be clever.
- Ar mhaithe leis féin a bhíonn an cat ag crónánThe cat purrs for its own benefit.
- As an obair a thagann an fhoghlaimLearning comes out of the doing.
- Bíonn siúlach scéalachThe traveller has the tales to tell.
- Is binn béal ina thostSilence is golden.
- Is deacair ceann críonna a chur ar cholainn ógYou cannot put an old head on young shoulders.
- Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinteHealth is better than wealth.
- Is fearr focal sa chúirt ná bonn sa sparánA friend in court is better than a penny in the purse.
- Is fearr lán doirn de cheird ná lán mála d'órA handful of skill is better than a bagful of gold.
- Is fearr uaigneas maith ná droch-chuideachtaBetter good solitude than bad company.
- Is maith an scéalaí an aimsirTime will tell.
- Is maith scéal gan drochscéalNo news is good news.
- Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éiginIt is an ill wind that blows nobody good.
- Is teann gach madra ag a dhoras féinEvery dog is bold at his own door.
- Is túisce deoch ná scéalOffer a drink before you ask for news.
- Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh síPraise the young and they will flourish.
- Mol an óige is tiocfaidh síYouth responds to praise.
- Molann an obair an saorThe work praises the workman.
- Ná caith an t-uisce salach amach go mbeadh an t-uisce glan istighKeep what you have until the replacement is real.
- Ná déan nós agus ná bris nósNeither make nor break a custom.
- Ní bhíonn an sonas gan an donas ina orlaí trídThere is no happiness without some misfortune woven through it.
- Ní bhíonn cóisir ar bith gan amadánThere is a fool at every party.
- Ní bhíonn cuimhne ar an arán a itearPast favours are soon forgotten.
- Ní bhíonn saoi gan lochtEven Homer nods; nobody is perfect.
- Ní dhéanfadh an saol capall rása d'asalYou cannot make a racehorse out of a donkey.
- Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scolbThe windy day is not the day for thatching.
- Ní lúide an trócaire a roinntMercy is not diminished by being shared.
- Ní minic a bhíos bocht greannmharThe poor man’s jokes are seldom appreciated.
- Níl maith a bheith ag caint faoi bhainne doirteThere is no use crying over spilt milk.
- Níl sa saol ach gaoth agus toitThe world is only wind and smoke.
- Troidfidh cailleach i gcruachásEven a worm will turn.
- Tús maith leath na hoibreWell begun is half done.
- Tús na heagna eagla an TiarnaWisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.