He's like the smith's dog--so weel used to the sparks that he'll no
burn.
Spoken of people who are so much accustomed to tipple, that they
never seem any the worse of it.
He's like the wife's bawty--kens naething about it.
He slippet awa like a knotless thread.
He's loose in the heft.
He's mair buirdly i' the back than i' the brain.
He's mair fleyed than hurt.
He's mair worth hanging than hauding.
He's nae gude weaver that leaves lang thrums.
No good workman who wastes material, or leaves work in a slovenly
state.
He's nae sma' drink.
He's ne'er at ease that's angry.
He snites his nose in his neighbour's dish to get the brose himsel.
This rude but expressive saying is used when a person has done
another an injury in order to benefit himself.
He's no a man to ride the water wi'.
"A phrase applied to one who, it is believed, cannot be depended
on."--_Jamieson._
He's no a stirk o' the right stock.
"I was a friendless lad, and ye took me by the hand,--and could I
sit still and see scathe befa' my benefactor, I wouldna be a stirk
o' the right stock, that's bred on the land o' Scotland."--_Sir
Andrew Wylie._
He's no gude to creel eggs wi'.
"Not safe or easy to deal with."--_Jamieson._
He's no nice but needfu'.
He's no sae daft as he lets on.
He's no steel to the bane.
He's no the best wright that casts maist spails.
He's no the fool that the fool is, but he that wi' the fool deals.
He's no the happiest wha has maist gear.
He's no worth kissing caps wi'.
To "kiss caps wi'," is to keep company with, to associate together
in drinking.
He's out and in, like a dog at a fair.
He's ower auld a cat to draw a strae before.
"The rents and the lands are but a sair fash to me," re-echoed
Ailie; "and I'm ower failed to tak a helpmate, though Wylie
Mactrickit, the writer, was very pressing, and spak very civilly;
but I'm ower auld a cat to draw that strae before me--he canna
whilliwhaw me as he's done mony a ane."--_Old Mortality._
He's ower-shot wi' his ain bow.
Overreached with his own weapons.
He's ower soon up that's hanged ere noon.
He's soger bred but major minded.
He's ta'en a start and an owerloup.
"The usual expression for a slight encroachment on a neighbour's
property."--_Sir Walter Scott._
He speaks like a prent book.
He speaks in his drink what he thinks in his drouth.
He spoke as if every word would lift a dish.
In allusion to a person who has addressed another in a very pompous
or affected manner.
He's poor enough that's ill faur'd.
He's poor that canna promise.
He's rich that has nae debt.
He's sairest dung that's paid wi' his ain wand.
That is, he suffers most who injures himself by his own folly, or by
means which may have been intended to injure another.
He's silly that spares for ilka speech.
He's sometimes i' the air, but ye're aye on the grund.
He's the bee that maks the honey.
He's the best spoke o' your wheel.
He's the slave o' a slaves wha ser's nane but himsel.
He's twice fain that sits on a stane.
"That is, glad to sit down, because he is weary, and glad to rise,
because the stone is hard."--_Kelly._
He starts at straes, and lets windlins gae.
This saying is, we think, exclusively Scotch. It very briefly but
pithily applies to those who, while anxiously correcting trifling
errors, allow greater ones to pass unheeded: who strain at gnats,
and swallow camels.
He streaks reem in my teeth.
"Spoken when we think one only flattering us, and not earnest or
sincere in what they pretend."--_Kelly._
He struts like a craw in the gutter.
He stumbles at a strae and loups ower a linn.
He's unco fond o' farming that wad harrow wi' the cat.
He's unco fu' in his ain house that canna pick a bane in his
neighbour's.
Satirically applied to those who are unwilling to partake of a meal
in a friend's house.
He's waur to water than to corn.
Fonder of his meat than his drink.
He's weel boden there ben that will neither borrow nor lend.
Meaning that a person must be very well off indeed who can afford to
dispense with all assistance.
He's weel eased that has o' his ain.
He's weel worthy o' sorrow that buys it wi' his ain siller.
He's wise that kens when he's weel enough.
"This is a pitch of wisdom to which few attain."--_Kelly._
He's wise that's timely wary.
He's worth gowd that can win it.
He's worth nae weel that can bide nae wae.
He that ance gets his fingers i' the dirt can hardly get them out again.
He that bides weel betides weel.
He that bids me to meat wishes me to live.
He that blaws best bears awa the horn.
He that blaws in the stoor fills his ain een.
He that borrows and bigs, maks feasts and thigs, drinks an's no
dry,--nane o' these three are thrifty.
He that buys a house that's wrought has mony a pin and nail for nought.
He that buys land buys stanes; he that buys beef buys banes; he that
buys nuts buys shells; he that buys gude ale buys naething else.
He that can hear Dumbuck may hear Dumbarton.
Dumbuck Hill, in Argyleshire, is farther from Glasgow (the _locale_
of this saying) than Dumbarton: proverbially applied to those who
are better acquainted with circumstances than they pretend to be,
but who, in their anxiety to gain more information, betray
themselves.
He that canna do as he would maun do as he may.
He that canna gie favours should seek nane.
He that canna mak sport should mar nane.
He that cheats in daffin winna be honest in earnest.
He that cheats me ance, shame fa' him; he that cheats me twice, shame
fa' me.
He that comes first to the ha' may sit where he will.
He that comes o' hens maun scrape.
He that counts a' costs will ne'er put plough i' the grund.
"He that forecasts all difficulties that he may meet with in his
business will never set about it."--_Kelly._
He that counts without his host may have to count twice.
He that deals in dirt has aye foul fingers.
He that does as he's bidden deserves nae bannin'.
He that does his turn in time sits half idle.
He that doesna mind corn pickles never comes to forpits.
"Get a large sheet of paper, man, and make a new pen, with a sharp
neb, and a fine hair-stroke. Do not slit the quill up too high, it's
a wastrife course in your trade, Andrew. They that do not mind corn
pickles never come to forpits. I have known a learned man write a
thousand pages with one quill."--_Fortunes of Nigel._
He that does you an ill turn will ne'er forgie you.
He that drinks when he's no dry will be dry when he has nae drink.
He that eats a boll o' meal in bannocks eats a peck o' dirt.
He that eats but ae dish seldom needs the doctor.
He that fa's in a gutter, the langer he lies the dirtier he is.
He that fishes before the net, fishes lang or he fish get.
He that gapes till he be fed may gape till he be dead.
He that gets forgets, but he that wants thinks on.
He that gets gear before he gets wit is but a short time maister o't.
He that gies a' his gear to his bairns, tak up a beetle and ding out his
harns.
"Taken from the history of one John Bell, who, having given his
substance to his children, was by them neglected. After he died
there was found in his chest a mallet with this inscription,--
"'I, John Bell, leave here a mell, the man to fell,
Who gives all to his bairns, and keeps nothing to himsel.'"
--_Kelly._
He that grapes in the dark may fyle his fingers.
He that hains his dinner will hae the mair to his supper.
He that has a bonnie wife needs mair than twa een.
He that has a dog at hame may gang to the kirk wi' a clean breast.
He that has ae sheep in a flock will like a' the lave the better for't.
"Spoken when we have a son at such a school, university, army, or
society, we will wish the prosperity of these respective bodies upon
his account."--_Kelly._
He that has a goose will get a goose.
Or, he that is rich already has legacies left him; as, "The fat
sow's tail's aye creash'd."
He that has a gude crap may thole some thistles.
He that has been very fortunate can easily put up with slight
drawbacks.
He that has a muckle nose thinks ilka ane speaks o't.
"People who are sensible of their guilt are always full of
suspicion."--_Kelly._
He that has a wide wame ne'er had a lang arm.
That is, a corpulent person is never very active.
He that has a wife has a maister.
"He that's not sensible of the truth of this proverb may blot it out
or pass it over."--_Kelly._
He that has but ae ee maun tent it weel.
He that has gall in his mouth canna spit honey.
He that has his hand in the lion's mouth maun tak it out the best way he
can.
Meaning that he who has willingly jeopardized himself must extricate
himself without assistance.
He that has horns in his bosom needna put them on his head.
He that has just enough can soundly sleep; the owercome only fashes folk
to keep.
He that has muckle wad aye hae mair.
He that hasna purse to fine may hae flesh to pine.
"'It will be nonsense fining me,' said Andrew, doughtily, 'that
hasna a grey groat to pay a fine wi'--it's ill taking the breeks aff
a Hielandman.' 'If ye hae nae purse to fine, ye hae flesh to pine,'
replied the bailie, 'and I will look weel to ye getting your deserts
the tae way or the tither.'"--_Rob Roy._
He that hasna siller in his purse should hae silk on his tongue.
He that has routh o' butter may butter his bread on baith sides.
He that has siller in his purse may want a head on his shouthers.
He that has twa hoards can get a third.
He that hath and winna keep it, he that wants and winna seek it, he that
drinks and is not dry, siller shall want as well as I.
He that hews abune his head may get a spail in his ee.
He who aims at things beyond his power may be injured by his
projects.
He that hides kens whaur to seek.
He that ill does never gude weens.
He who is in the habit of ill-doing himself always has a bad opinion
of others.
He that invented the maiden first handselled her.
James, Earl of Morton, who invented the "maiden" or guillotine, was
the first who suffered by it.
He that isna handsome at twenty, strong at thirty, wise at forty, rich
at fifty, will never be handsome, strong, wise, or rich.
He that keeks through a keyhole may see what will vex him.
"He who looks through a hole will discover his dole."--_Spanish._
He that keeps the cat's dish keeps her aye crying.
He that kens what will be cheap or dear, needs be a merchant but for
half-a-year.
As the exercise of his foresight will enable him to acquire a
competency in that time.
He that kisses his wife at the market cross will hae mony to teach him.
He that lacks my mare may buy my mare.
Used when a person disparages an article that he may secure it to
himself.
He that laughs alane will mak sport in company.
He that lends his pot may seethe his kail in his loof.
He that lends money to a friend has a double loss.
Because he loses both his money and his friend.
He that lends you hinders you to buy.
He that lippens to chance lippens his back to a slap.
He that lippens to lent ploughs may hae his land lang lea.
He that relies on favours being granted is liable to disappointment.
He that lives on hope has a slim diet.
He that lo'es law will soon get his fill o't.
He that looks not ere he loup will fa' ere he wat.
He that looks to freets, freets will follow him.
"He that notices superstitious observances (such as spilling of
salt, Childermass day, or the like) it will fall to him
accordingly."--_Kelly._
He that maks friends fear'd o' his wit should be fear'd o' their
memories.
He that marries a beggar gets a louse for a tocher.
He that marries a daw eats muckle dirt.
He who is connected with a "daw," or drab, has many troubles to put
up with.
He that marries a widow and twa dochters has three back doors to his
house.
Or, as Kelly quotes, "three stark thieves; because his wife will put
away things to them, or for them."
He that marries a widow will hae a dead man's head often thrown in his
dish.
He that marries before he's wise will dee ere he thrive.
He that middles wi' tulzies may come in for the redding stroke.
To "middle with tulzies" is to interfere with quarrelsome people;
the chances are that a person who does so will come off at a loss.
He that never eats flesh thinks harigals a feast.
Parallel to the English proverb, "He who never eats flesh thinks
pudding a dainty."
He that never rade never fell.
He that never thinks will ne'er be wise.
He that oppresses honesty ne'er had ony.
He that pays his debt begins to mak a stock.
He that pays last ne'er pays twice.
He that pities another minds himsel.
He that plants trees lo'es ithers beside himsel.
He that plays wi' fools and bairns maun e'en play at the chucks.
When a man mixes with children, or fools or rogues, he must adapt
himself to them.
"What signifies what I desired, man? when a wise man is with fules
and bairns, he maun e'en play at the chucks. But you should have had
mair sense and consideration than to gie Babie Charles and Steenie
their ain gate; they wad hae floored the very rooms wi' silver, and
I wonder they didna."--_Fortunes of Nigel._
He that pleads his ain cause has a fool for his client.
He that puts the cat in the pock kens best how to tak her out.
He that puts on the public gown maun aff the private person.
A maxim of proverbial philosophy which many persons in petty
authority might practise with advantage--to the public.
He that rides ahint anither doesna saddle when he pleases.
That is, he who is dependent on another must submit to his
superior's authority.
He that rides or he be ready wants aye some o' his graith.
He that's angry opens his mouth and steeks his een.
That is, vents himself in abuse without looking into the details of
the case.
He that's aught the cow gangs nearest the tail.
He that has most interest in an undertaking or property is willing
to run a greater risk than he that has none.
He that says what he likes will hear what he doesna like.
He that's born to a plack 'll ne'er get a pound.
He that's born to be hanged will never be drowned.
He that's crabbit without cause should mease without amends.
He that seeks alms for Godsake begs for twa.
He that seeks motes gets motes.
He that seeks trouble 'twere a pity he should miss it.
He that sells his wares for words maun live by the loss.
He that's far frae his gear is near his skaith.
A man who is away from his property, or not sufficiently careful of
it, is liable to be wronged in his absence.
He that's first up's no aye first ser'd.
He that shames, let him be shent.
"An old Scottish proverb not now used, scarcely understood: a wish
that he who exposes his neighbour may come to shame
himself."--_Kelly._
He that shows his purse tempts the thief.
He that's ill o' his harboury is gude at the way-kenning.
He that is unwilling that a visitor or friend should remain in his
house, is very ready to give information as to the way home, and the
advantages of following it.
He that's ill to himsel will be gude to naebody.
He that sleeps wi' dogs maun rise wi' flaes.
Or, he who keeps bad company will be contaminated by it.
He that's mann'd wi' boys and hors'd wi' colts will hae his meat eaten
and his wark ill done.
In sarcastic allusion to those who entrust matters of importance to
youthful or inexperienced persons. "Because," as Kelly says, "the
boy will neglect his business, and the colt will throw him."
He that's no my friend at a pinch is no my friend at a'.
He that spares to speak spares to speed.
That is, he who is afraid to speak for his own advancement when an
opportunity occurs, does injury to himself.
He that speaks the thing he shouldna will hear the thing he wouldna.
He that speaks to himsel speaks to a fool.
He that speaks wi' a draunt an' sells wi' a cant, is right like a snake
in the skin o' a saunt.
This humorous but withal libellous expression of opinion literally
means, that they who speak in drawling, canting terms are wolves in
sheep's clothing.
He that speers a' gets wit but o' pairt.
He that speers a' opinions comes ill speed.
He that spends before he thrives will beg before he thinks.
He that spends his gear before he gets 't will hae but little gude o't.
He that spits against the wind spits in his ain face.
He that's poor when he's married shall be rich when he's buried.
He that's rede for windlestraes should never sleep on leas.
Equivalent to the English saying, "He that's afraid of the wagging
of feathers must keep from among wild fowl;" and the Dutch one, "He
who is afraid of leaves must not go to the wood."
He that's scant o' wind shouldna meddle wi' the chanter.
A "chanter" is the drone of a bagpipe, and a good supply of wind is
required to fill it. Proverbially applied to those who undertake
more than they are able to accomplish.
He that steals a preen may steal a better thing.
He that steals can hide.
He that strikes my dog wad strike mysel if he daur'd.
He that stumbles twice at ae stane deserves to break his shin bane.
For not removing the stumbling-block at first.
He that's welcome fares weel.
He that thinks in his bed has a day without a night.
He that tholes owercomes.
To "thole" is to suffer or endure.
He that tigs wi' a stranger pays the smart.
He that tigs wi' the tailor gets a button in his sleeve.
He that tines his siller is thought to hae tint his wit.
Meaning that he who willingly loses or risks money is readily
supposed to be a fool.
He that wants content canna sit easy in his chair.
He that wants to strike a dog ne'er wants stick.
He that wears black maun wear a brush on his back.
He that will be angry for onything will be angry for naething.
He that will to Cupar maun to Cupar.
Applied to foolish or reckless persons who persist in carrying on
projects in the face of certain failure, of which they have been
duly advised. Why Cupar, the capital of the kingdom of Fife, should
have been selected as typical of such "pig-headedness," we are
unable to say.
He that winna be counselled canna be helped.
He that winna hear Mother Hood shall hear Stepmother Hood.
"That is, they who will not be prevailed upon by fair means, shall
meet with harsher treatment."--_Kelly._
He that winna lout and lift a preen will ne'er be worth a groat.
That is, he who despises trifles will never be rich.
He that winna thole maun flit mony a hole.
He who will not bear the crosses of the world patiently only
increases his sorrows in trying to evade them.
He that winna use the means maun dree the moans.
He that winna when he may, shanna when he wad.
"Spoken of him who has refused a good offer, and then would have it
again."--_Kelly._
He that woos a maiden maun come seldom in her sight: he that woos a
widow maun ply her day and night.
He that would climb the tree maun tak care o' his grip.
He that would eat the kernal maun crack the nut.
He that would pu' the rose maun sometimes be scarted wi' the thorns.
He thinks himsel nae sheepshank.
Spoken of conceited persons who think themselves of great
consequence.
He tines bottles gathering straes.
A variation of "He starts at straes, and lets windlins gae." "Ye hae
found it to your cost, that she is a most unreasonable, narrow,
contracted woman, and wi' a' her 'conomical througality--her
direction-books to mak grozart wine for deil-be-licket, and her Katy
Fisher's cookery, whereby she would gar us trow she can mak fat kail
o' chucky-stanes and an auld horse-shoe--we a' ken, and ye ken,
laird, warst o' a', that she flings away the pease, and maks her
hotch-potch wi' the shawps, or, as the auld byeword says, tynes
bottles gathering straes."--_The Entail._
Het kail cauld, nine days auld, spell ye _that_ in four letters.
The key to this childish puzzle is to be found in the word _that_:
it has no deeper meaning.
Het love, hasty vengeance.
Het sup, het swallow.
He wad gang a mile to flit a sow.
"Spoken of sauntering persons, who would take any pretence to go
from their proper business."--_Kelly._
He was miss'd by the water, but caught by the widdie.
He has escaped drowning only to be hanged, as "He that is to be
hanged will never be drowned--unless the water goes over the
gallows."--_Dutch._
He wasna the inventor o' gunpowder.
Meaning that a person is very timid or cowardly.
He was ne'er a gude aiver that flung at the brod.
"Spoken of them who spurn at reproof or correction, whom Solomon
calls brutish."--_Kelly._
He was scant o' grey cloth that soled his hose wi' dockens.
"The return of a haughty maid to them that tell her of an unworthy
suitor."--_Kelly._
He was scant o' news that tauld his faither was hang'd.
"They're scarce of news who speak ill of their mother."--_Irish._
He was the bee that made the honey.
He watsna whilk end o' him's upmost.
He does not know whether he stands on his head or his heels.
He wears Langton's coat o' mail.
"Once, in a skirmish with the English, the Laird of Langton, being
unarmed, turned his coat inside out, to make his opponents believe
he had on a coat of mail, and so rushed on to the fray. By
'Langton's coat of mail,' is meant a presumptuous but brave
man."--_G. Henderson._
He wears twa faces aneath ae cowl.
He wha mair than his worth doth spend, aiblins a rape his life will end.
He wha marries a maiden marries a pockfu' o' pleasure; he wha marries a
widow marries a pockfu' o' _pleas_-sure.
"These two are always joined together, and are a dissuasive from
marrying a widow, because she is often involved in law
suits."--_Kelly._
He wha marries for love without money, hath merry nights and sorry days.
He wha tells his wife a' is but newly married.
He winna send you away wi' a fair heart.
Or, he will not grant you the favour you are going to seek.
He woos for cake and pudding.
He would fain be forward if he wist how.
He would fain rip up auld sairs.
That is, gladly rake up old grievances, to enable him to pick a
quarrel.
He would gar you trow that the mune's made o' green cheese.
Applied to simple, credulous people, who readily believe the most
absurd statements.
He wouldna lend his gully,--no! to the deil to stick himsel.
In sarcastic allusion to those who decline to oblige borrowers, and
who carry their principles so far that they "would not lend the
devil a knife to cut his throat."--_Italian._
He would need to be twice sheeled and ance grund that deals wi' you.
He would rake hell for a bodle.
He would skin a louse for the tallow o't.
In allusion to greedy, parsimonious people, who would rather be put
to a great deal of trouble than incur a trifling expense.
He would tine his lugs if they were not tacked to him.
He is so careless and forgetful, that he would lose his ears were
they not attached to his head.
He's horn deaf on that side o' his head.
That is, he is wilfully deaf on that subject.
Highest in the court, nearest the widdie.
Highlanders--shoulder to shoulder.
High trees show mair leaves than fruit.
In disparaging allusion to tall persons.
His absence is gude company.
His auld brass will buy her a new pan.
Spoken of young maidens who marry wealthy old men, meaning that when
the husband dies his money will help her to a younger one.
"Though auld Rob Morris be an elderly man,
Yet his auld brass it will buy you a new pan;
Then, doughter, you shouldna be so ill to shoo,
For auld Rob Morris is the man ye maun loo."
--_Tea-Table Miscellany._
His bark's waur nor his bite.
"'Hout, mother,' said Hobbie, 'Elshie's no that bad a chield; he's a
grewsome spectacle for a crooked disciple, to be sure, and a rough
talker; but his bark is waur than his bite.'"--_The Black Dwarf._
His corn's a' caff.
"I'll lay my lugs that's the true reason, and brawly does he ken his
corn's a' caff, or he wadna keep the sack mouth tied, and try to put
us aff wi' bletheration."
His e'ening sang and his morning sang are no baith alike.
His eggs hae a' twa yolks.
His geese are a' swans.
Or, his stories are all of a Munchausen order, told more for the
sake of effect than of truth.
His head will never fill his faither's bonnet.
His head's in a creel.
"My senses wad be in a creel,
Should I but dare a hope to speel
Wi' Allan, or wi' Gilbertfield,
The braes o' fame;
Or Ferguson, the writer chiel,
A deathless name."--_Burns._
His heart's in his hose.
His meal's a' daigh.
His purse and his palate are ill met.
As the first is light, while the second is heavy.
His room's better than his company.
His tongue's nae slander.
For his bad character or motives are so well known that none would
believe him were he to speak ill of a person.
His wame thinks his wizen's cut.
This humorous saying is expressive of the most extreme hunger, when
the belly has come to the conclusion that the throat has been cut,
and all further supply of food stopped.
His wit gat wings and would hae flown, but pinchin' poortith pu'd him
down.
Honest men marry soon, wise men never.
Honesty hauds lang the gate.
To "haud the gate" is to "maintain the even tenor of your way."