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Proverbs and sayings: The Irish have a way with words

By
PATRICK O'BRIEN,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 8:23 AM
Updated Wednesday, January 6, 2010, 11:43 AM

 

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The Irish have a way with words, must have something to do with the inspirational scenery!

The Irish have a way with words as we all know. The following is a sample of sayings and proverbs that have lasted for generations. They are taken from a book called Timeless Wisdom available at www.ucdpress.ie

The Demon Drink
 
If Holy Water was beer he'd be at mass every morning

Whiskey when you're sick makes you well, whiskey when you're well makes you sick

Wine drowns more men than water

You've never seen a collection for a needy publican

The drunk will soon have daylight in through the rafters

A man in need of a drink thinks of great schemes to get it

Drink is a curse-- it makes you shoot at your landlord --and miss him
 
Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road

Love

A widow and her money are soon courted

A young man is bothered till he's married after that he's bothered all the time

If a man is in love he is no judge of beauty but when love wears off he'll tell a woman about her warts

Marriage changes a man and makes the woman who changed him complain about him not being the same man she married

Sweet is the voice for a woman of a man who has wealth

If you love her in rags your love will last

A silent mouth is the sweetest sound
Empty and cold is a house without a woman
 
Health to the men but may the women live forever

Wisdom

There is hope from the sea but none from the graveyard

A poor man's tale is rarely heard

Better to go to bed supperless than to rise in debt

Contentment is greater than a kingdom

The three strongest forces, fire, water and hatred

Three sharpest eyes, a blacksmith on a nail, a priest on his parish, a young girl on a boy

Hope is the cure for all misery

Everyone is an expert until they speak

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Most recent of 18 comments - See all comments

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Posted by LindaParks on Feb 17, 2010, 10:04 PM EST
Some very good sayings, some I'd write down to use later.
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Posted by HelenHogan on Jan 10, 2010, 12:50 PM EST
Love the ironic touch to Irish humor.
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Posted by CMMcShane on Jan 08, 2010, 06:29 PM EST
Grandpa Barney McShane said this about a drink; "One is enough, Two is too many and Three isn't half enough!"
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Posted by jimmy12003 on Jan 08, 2010, 05:26 PM EST
tare away! ive another pair in me pocket!
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Posted by lynchsteele on Jan 08, 2010, 04:48 PM EST
It rings loud and just like me grandmither
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Posted by pmckeogh on Jan 08, 2010, 04:32 PM EST
A fool and his money are soon parted.
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Posted by Chrysler300C on Jan 08, 2010, 02:06 PM EST
It's interesting to become knowledgeable about the Irish way with words. We used the New Year's sayings during the Christmas season.
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Posted by genenieve on Jan 08, 2010, 11:06 AM EST
Reality is only for those who lack imagination.
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Posted by Niall O'Dowd on Jan 07, 2010, 01:11 AM EST
source is mentioned in first paragraph Phil Kennedy
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Posted by Niall O'Dowd on Jan 07, 2010, 01:10 AM EST
e-fah knee arig is the pronounciation alica rose
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Posted by JBRAFTREE on Jan 06, 2010, 06:36 PM EST
How 'bout work is the curse of the drinking class????
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Posted by Aliciarose on Jan 06, 2010, 05:42 PM EST
There is a lot of saying there that I have not heard of before, but they are very good. Would like to know how to pronounce a singers name if someone can help. The name is: Aoife Ni Fhearraigh.
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Posted by philkennedy on Jan 06, 2010, 01:25 PM EST
I've never heard of any of these 'sayings' before! Source?
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Posted by lyndacookson on Jan 06, 2010, 12:35 PM EST
It's even more fun when it's the dyslexic and eccentric artists to boot! I had great craic (and still do) interviewing Irish artists for my book "Tea 'n Turps". And it's a real treat when the sayings are sung! Lynda Cookson
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Posted by killowen on Jan 06, 2010, 10:59 AM EST
pog mo thoin - was it with his mouth he bit her
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Posted by MotherIrish on Jan 06, 2010, 10:17 AM EST
AHHHH it is words like this that keep Irish eyes smiling and hearts filled with laughter.
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Posted by plasticpaddy on Jan 06, 2010, 09:24 AM EST
lets have the real Irish sayings, in Irish
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Posted by bronxjames on Jan 06, 2010, 09:11 AM EST
Huh?
 


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