Part 47

The French say, "God helps three kinds of people: fools, children, and drunkards;" and another of our own states that "God's aye kind to fu' folk and bairns."

Dry bargains bode ill.

A bargain in times gone by was not "lucky," unless ratified by a drink.

Dummie canna lee.

Dunse dings a'.

"It may be mentioned that this is only the opinion which the people of Dunse entertain of the town, as their neighbours, in general, scout the idea with great indignation."--Robert Chambers. There are several local additions to this saying, such as "Dunse dings a' for braw lads and drucken wives;" "for gude yill and bonnie lasses," &c.

Eagles catch nae fleas.

Spoken of conceited people who affect disdain for petty details.

Eagles flee alane, but sheep herd thegither.

Early birds catch the worms.

Early crooks the tree, that good cammock should be.

Early maister, lang servant.

Early sow, early mow.

East or west, hame is best.

East and wast, the sign o' a blast; north and south, the sign o' a drouth.

Easy learning the cat the road to the kirn.

When the natural inclination tends towards any particular subject, it assists the learner greatly.

Eat and welcome--fast and twice as welcome.

Eaten meat is ill to pay.

"Eaten bread is soon forgotten."--Italian.

Eating, drinking, and cleaning need but a beginning.

Eat in measure and defy the doctor.

Eat peas wi' the prince and cherries wi' the chapman.

Eats meat, an's never fed; wear claes, an's never cled.

Of some people it may be said, that "they put their meat in an ill skin;" for, notwithstanding that they live well, they appear always thin and hungry, and not at all, to use a Scotticism, "like their meat." Some people are equally unfortunate with regard to their clothing; always amply dressed, they seem the very reverse.

Eat till ye sweat and work till ye freeze.

Eat-weel's Drink-weel's brither.

Signifying that good drinking must necessarily go hand in hand with good eating.