Shetland Folk-Lore
applicable to one who shows off his bravery when the danger is past.
The following proverbs I have not been able to classify:
“There's aye watter whaar the staig smorcs.”
“Cleanliness is nae pride, an' dirt is nae mournin'.”
“Decency is a debt, but Gudeliness a duty.”
“It's ill for the rake to come after the besom.”
“It's pör times when the dog licks the cat's nose for breakfast.”
“It's guid swimmin' when others hold up the head.”
“It's a silly hog that canna carry his ain fleece.”
“It's little wirt that's no wirt the askin' o'.”
“Tanks is pör pay, but it's better than naethin'.”
“An ill race is soon run.”
“They that meanly sit richly warm.”
“The pinched haand haes a caald heart.”
“It's a dirty fool (bird) that files its ain nest.”
“Better ta keep weel than mak' weel.”
“He lauchs in his sleeve that haes the inplay.”
“He'll feel whaar his liver lies that andows wi' leeward tide.”
“Por flaichs (fleas) bite sair.”
“A fat Yule mak's pör Fastern E'en.”
“They that gae wi' the ska 'ill get wi' the scabbart.”
“They like ill the face that picks aff the nose.”
“A guid paet year wis never a ill maet year.”
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