Page:Scots proverbs, ancient and modern.pdf/18



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Mealy-mou'd maids stand lang at the mill. Muckle may fa' between the cup and the lip. Mills and wives are ay wanting--Mony hands mak light wark. Mistress afore fo'k, gude wife behind backs, where lies the dish- clout? Money is welcome in a dirten clout. Mony a ane kisses the bairn for love o' the nurse. Mony fair promises at marriage mak few at tocher-paying, Mony say weel when it was ne'er waur. Mony a ane serves a thankless master. Mony ways to kill a dog tho' ye dinna hang him. Mony cooks ne'er made gude kail. Mony irons i' the fire part maun cool. Mony a ane opens their pack and sells nae wares. Mony a ane speers the gate they ken fu' weel. My sow's my son ay till he get a wife, my daughter's my daughter a' the days o her life.

N

Nae fool like an auld fool.--Nae friend like a friend in need. Nae man can thrive unless his wife lets him. Nae sooner up than her head's in the am'ry. Nae safe wading in unco water.--Necessity hae nae law. Nae wonder ye be auld like, ilka thing fashes ye. Naething sae crouse as a new washen louse. Naething's ill to be done when will's at hame. Naething's to be done in haste but gripping of fines. Naething to do but draw in your stool and sit down. Naething venture naething win.--New lords hae new laws. Nane but fools and knaves lay wagers. Nane can mak a bore but ye'll find a pin till't.     Nane can play the fool sae weel as a wise man. Near's my sark but nearer's my skin.--Ne'er ower auld to learn. Nearest the heart nearer the mou. --Ne'er rax aboon your reach. Nearest the kirk the farthest frae gude. Neck or naething the king loes nac cripples.