Shetland Folk-Lore
hunger, for “the mair he tarrows the less he gets.”
The following seem to have reference to the other end of life:
“Aald folk are twice bairns, an' hinmost warst ava.”
“Better late to learn than never to dö weel.”
“Better late to mend than never to dö grace.”
Here are a few old expressions that teach the importance of perseverance and industry:
“He that lives on hoop (hope) 'ill die fastin'.”
“Wissin' an' waddin' are pör hoose haddin'.”
“Glowerin' i' the lum never filled the pot.”
These all teach the well-known truth that perseverance is the mother of good luck, and that the man who endeavours has the best chance to succeed. Hence—
“The gaengin' fit aye gets somethin', if it wis bit a broken tae.”
The following proverb shows that our ancestors did not always rise above the self-interest so common to human nature :
“Everyene bigs the coal best aboot his ain brönie.”
216
