The Proverbs of Scotland Part 3

A fey man and a cursour fearna the deil.

Meaning literally, that a predestined man and a war-horse (or stallion, as the word "cursour" more immediately implies) fear not the devil.

Affront your friend in daffin', and tine him in earnest.

Affront him not in jest, lest you lose him in earnest.

A fidging mare should be weel girded.

"A thief does not always steal, but always be on your guard against him."--_Russian._

A findsilly bairn gars his faither be hang'd.

A fisherman's walk--twa steps and overboard.

A fleyer wad aye hae a follower.

This proverb ill.u.s.trates a song of Allan Ramsay's, after an ode by Horace, referring to a girl running out of the room, in the hope that her lover would follow her.

A fool and his money are sune parted.

A fool at forty will ne'er be wise.

A fool is happier thinking weel o' himself, than a wise man is o' others thinking weel o' him.

A fool may earn money, but it taks a wise man to keep it.

A fool may gie a wise man a counsel.

"'Fair and softly gangs far,' said Meiklehose; 'and if a fule may gie a wise man a counsel, I wad hae him think twice or he mells with Knockdunder.'"--_Heart of Midlothian._

A fool may speer mair questions than a wise man can answer.

A fool's bolt is sune shot.

A fool winna gie his toy for the Tower o' London.

A foul foot maks a fu' wame.

"Industry will be sure of a maintenance. A man that carefully goes about his business will have foul feet."--_Kelly._

A foul hand maks a clean hearthstane.

A friend at court is worth a penny in the purse.

Kelly's note on this proverb is not favourable to the court usances of his time (1721). "A purse seems to be the only friend at court, for, without that, there is nothing there but neglect and empty promises."

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

A friend to a' is a friend to nane.

"Everybody's friend is n.o.body's friend."--_Spanish._

A friend's dinner's sune dished.

That is, a true friend is easily served, and will not readily take offence.

A friend's ne'er ken't till he's needed.

Aft counting keeps friends lang thegither.

"Short accounts make long friends."--_English._

After a sort, as Costlet served the king.

"One Captain Costlet, boasting much of his loyalty, was asked how he served the king when he was a captain in Cromwell's army, answered, 'After a sort.' Spoken when a thing is done slightly."--_Kelly._

After a storm comes a calm.

After cheese, naething.

After clouds comes fair weather.

After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.

This advice is unfitted for the dining practices of the present day; but when our ancestors breakfasted at six, dined at eleven, and supped at four or five, the counsel may have been good enough.

After joy comes annoy.

After Lammas, corn ripens by day and night.

After that comes a cow to be shod.

After words come weird: fair fa' them that ca' me "Madam."

After libel comes proof: let those who speak ill of me look to themselves.

After you is gude manners.

"Spoken when our betters offer to serve us first."--_Kelly._

Aft ettle, whiles. .h.i.t.

Often try, occasionally succeed.

Aft times the cautioner pays the debt.

A fu' cup is ill to carry.