Irish Proverbs in Irish: 57 Seanfhocail With Meanings and How to Say Them

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Search for Irish proverbs and you’ll find hundreds. Most are in English only. Plenty were never Irish at all.

This page has the real thing: old Irish proverbs in Irish. Every proverb below exists in the Irish language. Each has the Irish, a rough way to say it in brackets, a word-for-word translation in quotes, then what it actually means.

Unless I say otherwise, each one is in Niall Ó Dónaill’s Irish-English dictionary (1977), free on teanglann.ie. Where I’ve used another source, I name it.

Jump to:

• The most famous Irish proverbs
• How to say them
• Irish proverbs about life and wisdom
• Irish proverbs about friendship and family
• Irish proverbs about work and money
• The weather, the land and the sea
• Irish proverbs about talk and silence
• Health and age
• Funny Irish proverbs
• Where Irish proverbs come from
• “Irish proverbs” you’ll see online
• Irish proverbs FAQ
• More Irish sayings and language

The most famous Irish proverbs

The word for a proverb is seanfhocal (SHAN-uk-al). It means “old word”. The plural is seanfhocail (SHAN-uk-il).

If you only learn one, learn this one.

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. (er skaw a KAY-leh a WAR-un na DEE-neh)
“People live in each other’s shelter.” We all depend on each other. Ó Dónaill prints the Munster form mhaireas and glosses it “man is a social animal”. Scáth means shadow as well as shelter.

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. (mull un OH-ig-eh AW-gus CHUK-ee shee)
“Praise the young and they will come on.” Encourage young people and they’ll flourish. The dictionary prints it with is instead of agus. Both mean “and”.

Two other famous lines are modern mottos, not old proverbs.

Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste (iss far GAYL-gyeh VRISH-teh naw BAYR-la KLISH-teh) means “Broken Irish is better than clever English.” It’s a rhyming slogan used to encourage learners.

Barack Obama quoted it at College Green, Dublin, on 23 May 2011: “Some wise Irish man or woman once said that broken Irish is better than clever English.”

Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam (cheer gon CHANG-a, cheer gon AN-um) means “A country without a language is a country without a soul.” It’s usually linked with Pádraig Pearse and the Gaelic League, though I can’t find the exact source.

How to say them

Irish has three main dialects: Connacht, Munster and Ulster. The same proverb can sound quite different in Kerry and Donegal. My respellings are rough guides, not gospel.

“Kh” is the throaty sound in Scottish “loch”, and “gh” is a softer version. Capitals show the stress.

To hear a word said properly, look it up on focloir.ie. It has audio in all three dialects, and it marks proverbs with the word seanfhocal.

Irish proverbs about life and wisdom

Is ait an mac an saol. (iss ATCH un mock un SAYL)
“Life is a strange son.” Life is strange.

Is maith an scéalaí an aimsir. (iss MAH un SHKAY-lee un AM-shir)
“Time is a good storyteller.” Time will tell.

Is glas na cnoic i bhfad uainn. (iss GLOSS na KNICK ih VOD OO-in)
“Far-off hills are green.” Places you’re not always look better. Every emigrant knows this one from both sides.

Ní bhíonn saoi gan locht. (nee VEEN see gon LUKHT)
“There is no wise man without a fault.” Even the cleverest slip up. O’Rahilly lists it as number 136.

An té nach bhfuil láidir, ní foláir dó a bheith glic. (un TAY nokh will LAW-dir, nee FUL-awr doh a VEH glick)
“Whoever isn’t strong must be clever.” Brains can beat brawn. Most of Irish history, really.

Níl sa saol ach gaoth agus toit. (neel sa SAYL okh GWAY AW-gus TITCH)
“The world is only wind and smoke.” Nothing lasts, so don’t get too attached.

Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach. (beh LAW EL-eh egg un BAY-rukh)
“Power will have another day.” There’ll be another chance. Handy after any lost match.

Níor chaill fear an mhisnigh riamh. (neer KHYLE far un VISH-nee REE-uv)
“The man of courage never lost.” Fortune favours the brave.

As a chéile a dhéantar na caisleáin. (oss a KAY-leh a YAYN-tar na KASH-lawn)
“Castles are built bit by bit.” Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Irish proverbs about friendship and family

Ní neart go cur le chéile. (nee NYART guh kur leh KAY-leh)
“There’s no strength without working together.” Unity is strength.

Aithnítear cara i gcruatan. (AH-neet-er KOR-a ih GROO-a-tan)
“A friend is known in hardship.” A friend in need is a friend indeed. Source: focloir.ie.

Is fearr beagán den ghaol ná mórán den charthanas. (iss far BYUG-awn den GHAYL naw MOR-awn den KHAR-ha-nus)
“A little kinship is better than a lot of charity.” Blood is thicker than water.

Níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin. (neel ayn TCHIN-tchawn mor duh HIN-tchawn fayn)
“There’s no hearth like your own hearth.” There’s no place like home.

Ní heolas go haontíos. (nee HOH-lus guh HAYN-tee-us)
“There’s no knowing until living together.” You don’t really know someone until you share a house. Ask anyone who’s shared a flat.

Is fearr uaigneas maith ná droch-chuideachta. (iss far OOG-nyas MAH naw drukh-KHID-ukh-ta)
“Good loneliness is better than bad company.” Better alone than in bad company.

Cuairt ghearr is a déanamh go hannamh. (KOO-artch YAR iss a DAY-nuv guh HAN-uv)
“A short visit, and do it rarely.” Don’t wear out your welcome. Useful when the in-laws are coming.

Cad é a dhéanfadh mac an chait ach luch a mharú? (kod AY a YAYN-hukh mock un KHATCH okh LUKH a WAR-oo)
“What would the cat’s son do but kill a mouse?” Like father, like son.

Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. (AH-neen KEER-ohg KEER-ohg EL-eh)
“One beetle knows another.” Birds of a feather flock together.

Irish proverbs about work and money

Tús maith leath na hoibre. (toos MAH lah na HIB-reh)
“A good start is half the work.” Well begun is half done. A teacher’s favourite.

Den cheird an cleachtadh. (den HYAIRD un KLAKH-tu)
“Practice is part of the craft.” Practice makes perfect.

Is fearr lán doirn de cheird ná lán mála d’ór. (iss far lawn DUR-in deh KHAIRD naw lawn MAW-la dore)
“A fistful of skill is better than a bagful of gold.” A trade will last longer than money.

Múineann gá seift. (MOON-un GAW SHEFT)
“Need teaches a plan.” Necessity is the mother of invention.

Is olc an chearc nach scríobann di féin. (iss ULK un KHARK nokh SHKREE-bun dih FAYN)
“It’s a poor hen that won’t scratch for herself.” Look after your own interests.

Ní dhíolann dearmad fiacha. (nee YEE-lun DAR-mud FEE-a-kha)
“Forgetting doesn’t pay debts.” A debt you forget is still a debt. Source: O’Rahilly, number 168.

Is maith an cairde go dtaga an cuntas. (iss MAH un KAR-jeh guh DOG-a un KOON-tus)
“Credit is good until the bill comes.” Buying now and paying later feels great, until later.

Ní thuigeann an sách an seang. (nee HIG-un un SAWKH un SHANG)
“The well-fed doesn’t understand the lean.” The comfortable can’t imagine hardship.

Ní dhéanann breá brachán. (nee YAY-nun BRAW BRA-khawn)
“Fine looks don’t make porridge.” Beauty won’t boil the pot.

The weather, the land and the sea

A country of farmers and fishermen was always going to have plenty of these.

Ní hé lá na gaoithe lá na scolb. (nee HAY law na GWEE-heh law na SKUL-ub)
“The windy day isn’t the day for the thatching rods.” Fix the roof before the storm. Scollops are the bent rods that pin down thatch.

Is olc an ghaoth nach séideann do dhuine éigin. (iss ULK un GHWAY nokh SHAY-dun duh GHIN-eh AY-gin)
“It’s a bad wind that doesn’t blow for somebody.” It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good.

Is maith an comharthaí an cat. (iss MAH un KOH-ar-hee un KOT)
“The cat is a good forecaster.” Watch the cat and you’ll know the weather. Cheaper than Met Éireann, anyway.

Is minic a bádh long láimh le cuan. (iss MIN-ick a BAW LUNG lawv leh KOO-un)
“Many a ship sank beside the harbour.” There’s many a slip between cup and lip. Don’t celebrate too early.

Ní fhanann muir le fear sotail. (nee AN-un MWIR leh far SUT-il)
“The sea won’t wait for an arrogant man.” Time and tide wait for no man.

Bíonn súil le muir ach ní bhíonn súil le huaigh. (been SOOL leh MWIR okh nee veen SOOL leh HOO-ee)
“There’s hope from the sea, but no hope from the grave.” Those lost at sea might yet come home, but the dead won’t. A hard one for coastal families.

Mol gort is ná mol geamhar. (mull GURT iss naw mull GYOW-er)
“Praise the crop and not the young corn.” Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Ní thagann caonach ar chloch reatha. (nee HOG-un KWAY-nokh er KHLUKH RA-ha)
“Moss doesn’t grow on a running stone.” A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Irish proverbs about talk and silence

For a nation famous for talking, we have a lot of proverbs telling us to stop.

Is binn béal ina thost. (iss BEEN BAYL IN-a HUST)
“A silent mouth is sweet.” Silence is golden.

Is minic a bhí ciúin ciontach. (iss MIN-ick a vee KYOON KYUN-tokh)
“The quiet one was often guilty.” Watch the quiet ones.

Bíonn cluasa ar na claíocha. (been KLOO-us-a er na KLEE-a-kha)
“The ditches have ears.” Walls have ears. In rural Ireland, so do the hedges.

Sceitheann fíon fírinne. (SHKEH-hun FEE-un FEER-in-eh)
“Wine spills the truth.” Drink loosens tongues.

Is maith an coisí an bhréag. (iss MAH un KUSH-ee un VRAYG)
“A lie is a good walker.” A lie travels far, and fast.

Is túisce deoch ná scéal. (iss TOOSH-keh JUKH naw SHKAYL)
“A drink comes before a story.” Offer a visitor a drink before asking for the news.

Níor bhris focal maith fiacail riamh. (neer VRISH FUK-al MAH FEE-a-kil REE-uv)
“A good word never broke a tooth.” A kind word costs nothing.

Health and age

Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte. (iss far un TLAWN-tcheh naw na TAWN-tcheh)
“Health is better than herds of cattle.” Health is better than wealth.

Is maith an t-anlann an t-ocras. (iss MAH un TAN-lun un TUK-rus)
“Hunger is a good sauce.” Everything tastes good when you’re starving.

Tosach sláinte codladh. (TUS-okh SLAWN-tcheh KUL-a)
“Sleep is the start of health.” Sleep is the first sign of recovery.

Ní thagann ciall roimh aois. (nee HOG-un KEE-ul riv EESH)
“Sense doesn’t come before age.” Don’t expect wisdom from the young.

Is cuma leis an óige cá gcroithfidh sí a cos. (iss KUM-a lesh un OH-ig-eh kaw GRUH-hee shee a KUSS)
“Youth doesn’t care where it shakes its foot.” The young will kick up their heels wherever they like. Youth must have its fling.

Is minic a mhaolaigh béile maith brón. (iss MIN-ick a WAY-lee BAY-leh MAH BROHN)
“A good meal often eased sorrow.” Grief is lighter on a full stomach. That’s why every Irish wake has sandwiches.

Níl luibh ná leigheas in aghaidh an bháis. (neel LIV naw LYE-us in EYE un VAWSH)
“There’s no herb or cure against death.” Some things can’t be fixed.

Funny Irish proverbs

Our ancestors had a dry sense of humour. These prove it.

Níl neart ar an mbás (ach pósadh arís). (neel NYART er un MAWSS, okh POH-sa a-REESH)
“There’s no help for death (except to marry again).” Life goes on. The brackets are optional, depending on the company.

Ní bhíonn cóisir ar bith gan amadán. (nee veen KOH-shir er BIH gon OM-a-dawn)
“There’s no party without a fool.” If you can’t spot him, it might be you.

Más maith leat do mholadh, faigh bás. (maws MAH lat duh WUL-a, FY BAWSS)
“If you want to be praised, die.” Nobody gets a good word until the funeral.

Cuir síoda ar ghabhar agus is gabhar i gcónaí é. (kir SHEE-da er GHOW-er AW-gus iss GOW-er ih GOH-nee ay)
“Put silk on a goat and it’s still a goat.” You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

Is teann gach madra ag a dhoras féin. (iss TYOWN gokh MOD-ra egg a GHUR-us FAYN)
“Every dog is bold at its own door.” Everyone’s brave on home ground. See any county final.

Is fearr greim de choinín ná dhá ghreim de chat. (iss far GREM deh KHUN-een naw GHAW GHREM deh KHOT)
“One bite of a rabbit is better than two bites of a cat.” Quality beats quantity. I won’t ask how anyone found out.

Where Irish proverbs come from

Nobody wrote most of these. They were passed down by word of mouth, in Irish, for centuries. We have them because a few people wrote them down.

Mícheál Óg Ó Longáin noted a large set around 1800. That is the core of Thomas F. O’Rahilly’s A Miscellany of Irish Proverbs (Talbot Press, Dublin, 1922). He added more from a thousand years of earlier writing, giving 418 numbered proverbs and sayings, each translated.

The book is free on archive.org. O’Rahilly says native speakers used proverbs to “clench an argument or drive home an opinion”. He quotes Ní sáraítear an seanfhocal: “Nothing can beat a proverb.”

He also says native proverbs shared by Ireland and Scotland are at least 300 years old. That’s why “Irish proverbs” and “Gaelic proverbs” overlap so much.

Tomás S. Ó Máille compiled Seanfhocla Chonnacht, in two volumes in 1948 and 1952. The S. matters, because an earlier Galway scholar had the same name.

Cois Life reissued the book in one volume in 2010, edited by Donla uí Bhraonáin.

The National Folklore Collection grew from the Irish Folklore Commission, set up in 1935 and now at University College Dublin. In 2017 UNESCO added the Commission’s collection to its Memory of the World Register.

Its Schools’ Collection ran from 1937 to 1939. According to dúchas.ie, more than 50,000 children in 5,000 schools across the 26 counties wrote down local lore, proverbs included. It is free to search on dúchas.ie. A grandparent’s handwriting might be in there.

“Irish proverbs” you’ll see online

An older version of this page mixed proverbs with blessings, toasts and sayings in English. I’ve kept the pictures. I couldn’t find an Irish-language original for any of these, so treat them as sayings, not seanfhocail. For more like them, see my Irish sayings and blessings.

May you live to be a hundred years

A blessing, not a proverb. There are more in my Irish toasts.

Don’t become broke trying to look rich

Good advice. The real seanfhocal is Is fearr clú ná conách, “a good name is better than riches”.

Four more popular sayings

All four are sound advice. None of them is a seanfhocal.

It’s a lonely washing that has no man’s shirt in it

One of the most shared “Irish proverbs” online. Lovely, but it’s a saying.

Irish proverbs FAQ

What is the Irish word for proverb?

Seanfhocal, pronounced SHAN-uk-al. It means “old word”, from sean (old) and focal (word). The plural is seanfhocail.

What is the most famous Irish proverb?

Probably Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine, “people live in each other’s shelter”. Close behind are Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte and Tús maith leath na hoibre.

What is the Irish proverb for “health is wealth”?

Is fearr an tsláinte ná na táinte, said “iss far un TLAWN-tcheh naw na TAWN-tcheh”. It means health is better than wealth. Táinte literally means herds of cattle.

Is “broken Irish is better than clever English” an old proverb?

No. Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste is a modern rhyming motto used to encourage learners. Barack Obama made it famous abroad when he quoted it in Dublin in 2011.

Are Irish proverbs and Gaelic proverbs the same?

Mostly. “Gaelic” can mean Irish or Scottish Gaelic, and the two languages share many proverbs. O’Rahilly’s 1922 collection gives Scottish versions for many Irish ones.

Is “May the road rise up to meet you” an Irish proverb?

No, it’s a blessing. Blessings wish someone well, while proverbs give advice. Here’s my guide to what “May the road rise up to meet you” means.

More Irish sayings and language

• Irish Sayings and Blessings
• Irish Greetings and How to Say Them
• English Words From Irish
• Top 10 Irish Toasts
• May the Road Rise Up to Meet You: Meaning
• Irish New Year Blessings and Toasts
• Irish Christmas Blessings
• Famous Irish quotes, and who really said them

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