Part 131

That is, many marry only for the sake of money and possessions.

Mony ane kens the gude fellow that disna ken the gude fellow's wife.

The reason being that he is a "gude fellow" only when abroad or in the taproom, and not when he is at home.

Mony ane kisses the bairn for love o' the nurse.

"That is, show their kindness to the companions, friends, or relations of those upon whom they have a design, which they hope by their influence to effect."--Kelly.

Mony ane lacks what they would fain hae in their pack.

Mony ane maks an errand to the ha' to bid my leddy good day.

Or, many occupy themselves with trifles.

Mony ane opens his pack and sells nae wares.

Mony ane's coat saves their doublet.

"Spoken when clergymen use you saucily, whom, in deference to their profession, you will not beat."--Kelly.

Mony ane ser's a thankless maister.

Mony ane's gear is mony ane's death.

Mony ane speaks o' Robin Hood that ne'er shot wi' his bow.

"Doctor Luther's shoes do not fit every parish priest."--German.

Mony ane tines the half-merk whinger for the ha'-penny whang.

This nearly obsolete saying means, literally, loses a sixpenny dagger for the sake of a halfpenny thong. "Spoken," says Kelly, "when people lose a considerable thing for not being at an inconsiderable expense."

Mony ane wad blush to hear what he wadna blush to dae.

Mony ane wad hae been waur had their estates been better.

Mony an honest man needs help that hasna the face to seek it.

"Mony a thing's made for the penny," as the wifie said when she saw the black man.

Mony a true tale's tauld in jest.

Mony aunts, mony emes, mony kin, but few friends.

The word "eme" signifies uncle, and the saying--its claims as a proverb are small enough--means that a person may have many relations but very few friends among them.

Mony care for meal that hae baked bread enough.

"Spoken against whining, complaining people, who have enough, and yet are always making a moan."--Kelly.

Mony cooks ne'er made gude kail.

Mony fair promises at the marriage-making, but few at the tocher-paying.