The Proverbs of Scotland Part 24

Death comes in and speirs nae questions.

"Death does not blow a trumpet."--_Danish._

Death defies the doctor.

Death pays a' scores.

Death's gude proof.

Deil be in the house that ye're beguiled in.

A compliment, meaning that a person is so shrewd that no less a person than his Satanic majesty can deceive him.

Deil be in the pock that ye cam in.

Deil mend ye if your leg were broken.

The two last sayings are directly opposed to the preceding one, as they wish all manner of evil to the agencies that bring any particular person, whose presence is disagreeable.

Deil speed them that speir, and ken fu' weel.

That is, shame befall those who ask questions upon subjects with which they are perfectly well acquainted; and who, by cross questioning, &c., lead people to commit themselves.

Deil stick pride--my dog died o't.

Deil's in our bairns: they'll no bed when their belly's fu'.

"Spoken with indignation, when people who are already well enough cannot hold themselves so, or be satisfied."--_Kelly._

Delays are dangerous.

Did ye ever fit counts wi' him?

Do not boast of your friend, or consider his friends.h.i.+p too stedfast, until you have had money transactions with him.

Diet cures mair than doctors.

Ding doon Tantallan, and big a road to the Ba.s.s.

Ding down the nest, and the rooks will flee away.

"Destroy the places where villains shelter, and they will disperse.

This proverb was unhappily apply'd at the Reformation to the destroying of many stately cathedrals and collegiate churches."--_Kelly._

Dinna bow to bawtie, lest he bite.

Be careful how you are familiar with your superiors. "Too much familiarity breeds contempt."

Dinna cast awa' the cog when the cow flings.

Do not throw away the milking pail if the cow should kick it over: do not be discouraged if a misfortune should occur.

Dinna dry the burn because it may wat your feet.

Do not remove a public good or convenience because of an individual objection.

Dinna empty your ain mouth to fill other folk's.

Dinna gut your fish till ye get them.

This saying is common to many countries. "Don't cry herrings till they are in the net."--_Dutch._ "Don't sell the bearskin before you have caught the bear."--_Italian._ "Unlaid eggs are uncertain chickens."--_German._

Dinna lee for want o' news.

Dinna lift me before I fa'.

"'Weel, I've keepit a house this mony a year, and I never heard o'

warm plates to a hot dinner before.' 'Then you refuse to give us them?' 'By no manner o' means, Dr Seggie, so ye needna lift folks before they fa'--you're welcome to any plates you please; and a'

that I have to say is, that the langer a body lives they see the mair ferlies.'"--_Laird of Logan._

Dinna meddle wi' the deil and the laird's bairns.

Dinna scaud your mouth wi' other folk's kail.

Be cautious in interfering with the affairs of neighbours or strangers.

Dinna sigh for him, but send for him: if he's unhanged he'll come.

Do not speak about a thing, or wish it done, but do it. "Talking is easier than doing, and promising than performing."--_German._

Dinna speak o' a raip to a chield whase father was hanged.

Dinna straik against the hair.

"Ony way, I wadna hae liked to have offended Mr Treddles; he was a wee toustie when you rubbed him again the hair--but a kind, weel-meaning man."--_The Highland Widow._

Dinna stretch your arm farther than your sleeve 'ill let ye.

"'I'll no let ye rest if ye dinna mak me a bailie's wife or a' be done.' I was not ill pleased to hear Mrs Pawkie so spiritful; but I replied, 'Dinna try to stretch your arm, gudewife, farther than your sleeve will let you; we maun ca' canny mony a day yet before we think of dignities.'"--_The Provost._

Dinna tell your fae when your foot sleeps.

Dinna touch him on the sair heel.

Do not speak to him on a subject on which he is known to be sensitive.

Dirt bodes luck.