In Lanarkshire, there lived a sma' laird named Hamilton, who was noted
for his eccentricity. On one occasion, a neighbor waited on him, and
requested his name as an accommodation to a bill for twenty pounds at
three months date, which led to the following characteristic and truly
Scottish colloquy:
"Na, na, I canna do that."
"What for no', laird? Ye hae dune the same thing for ithers."
"Ay, ay, Tammas, but there's wheels within wheels ye ken naething aboot;
I canna do 't."
"It's a sma' affair to refuse me, laird."
"Weel, ye see, Tammas, if I was to pit my name till't, ye wad get the
siller frae the bank, and when the time came round, ye wadna be ready,
and I wad hae to pay't; sae then you and me wad quarrel; sae we mae just
as weel quarrel the noo, as lang's the siller's in ma pouch."
1617
In all thy quarrels leave open the door of reconciliation.
1618
To quarrel with one person to please another, is to meet what we
merit,--the displeasure of both.
--_Crete._
1619
He that blows the coals in quarrels he has nothing to do with, has no
right to complain if the sparks fly in his face.
1620
If you wish a wise answer you must put a rational question.
R
1621