Part 135

Or plan his own destiny.

Nae man can seek his marrow i' the kirn sae weel as him that has been in't himsel.

"Spoken to those who suspect us guilty of a thing in which they take measure of us by their practices and inclinations."--Kelly.

Nae man can thrive unless his wife will let him.

Nae man has a tack o' his life.

Nae man is wise at a' times, nor on a' things.

Nae mills, nae meal.

Nae penny, nae paternoster.

Nae plea is the best plea.

Nae rule sae gude as rule o' thoom--if it hit.

Nae service, nae siller.

Nae sooner up than her head's in the aumrie.

Applied to lazy or greedy servants; implying that the first thing they do in the morning is to go to the "aumrie" or cupboard for something to eat.

Nae swat, nae sweet.

Naething but fill and fetch mair.

A philosophic way of meeting troubles. If a thing be wrong done, do it over again; or if it be lost, procure another.

Naething comes fairer to light than what has been lang hidden.

Naething comes out o' a close hand.

Naething freer than a gift.

Naething is got without pains but an ill name and lang nails.

Naething is ill said if it's no ill ta'en.

Naething is ill to be done when will's at hame.

Naething like being stark dead.

Meaning there is nothing like doing a thing thoroughly. "A vile, malicious proverb," says Kelly, "first used by Captain James Stewart against the noble Earl of Morton, and afterwards applied to the Earl of Strafford and Archbishop Laud."

Naething's a bare man.

"A jocose answer to children when they say they have gotten nothing."--Kelly.

Naething's a man's truly but what he comes by duly.

Naething sae bauld as a blind mear.