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Maireann croí éadrom a bhfad.

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Health, Living and Dying, Proverbs | 0 comments

Maireann croí éadrom a bhfad.

A light heart lives a long time.

Note: Don’t worry. Be happy. You will live longer. The insight in this week’s proverb can be traced back to the Bible, specifically, Leabhar Shíorach (the Book of Sirach 30:14-25):

 

Sláinte agus Aoibhneas
(Health of Soul and Body)

14   Is fearr as an bochtán ina shláinte agus ina neart, ná an duine saibhir atá á chrá ag drochshláinte.
  (Better a poor man strong and robust, than a rich man with a wasted frame.)
15 Is fearr sláinte agus neart ná ór ar bith, agus colainn dhochaite ná maoin gan áireamh.
  (More precious than gold is health and well-being, contentment of spirit than coral.)
16 Is fearr sláinte choirp ná saibhreas ar bith, agus ní sháraíonn aon aoibhneas an croí suairc.
  (No treasure greater than a healthy body; no happiness, than a joyful heart!)
17 Is fearr an bás ná saol dona, agus suaimhneas síoraí ná breoiteacht bhuan.
  (Preferable is death to a bitter life, unending sleep to constant illness.)
18 Is cuma nithe maithe a chaitheamh le béal iata, nó ofrálacha bia a fhágáil ar uaigh.
  (Dainties set before one who cannot eat are like offerings placed before a tomb.)
19 Cén tairbhe d’íol ofráil torthaí? níl cumas ite ná bolaithe aige; is mar sin don té ar a luíonn an Tiarna.
  (What good is an offering to an idol that can neither taste or smell.)
20 Faigheann sé lán a shúl, agus bíonn ag cneadaíl dála an choillteáin a bhíonn ag cneadaíl agus é ag breith barróige ar mhaighdean.
  (So it is with the afflicted man who groans at the good things his eyes behold.)
21 Ná tabhair thú féin suas don bhrón agus ná bí do do chiapadh féin d’aonghnó.
  (Do not give in to sadness, torment not yourself with brooding;)
22 Maireann an duine ar aoibhneas croí, agus is fad saoil dó an t-áthas.
  (Gladness of heart is the very life of man, cheerfulness prolongs his days.)
23 Cuir lúcháir ar d’aigne agus tabhair sólás do do chroí; cuir an ruaig i bhfad uait ar an mbrón, mar is iomaí duine a scrios an brón, agus ní aon tairbhe é d’aon duine.
  (Distract yourself, renew your courage, drive resentment far away from you; For worry has brought death to many, nor is there aught to be gained from resentment.)
24 Ciorraíonn an t-éad agus an fhearg saol duine, agus déanann imní an tseanaois a bhrostú.
  (Envy and anger shorten one’s life, worry brings on premature old age.)
25 Fear croí éadroim agus fear croí mhóir, beidh [rian a choda] air.
  (One who is cheerful and gay while at table benefits from his food.)

Sé leigheas na póite ól arís.

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Health, Living and Dying, Proverbs | 0 comments

Sé leigheas na póite ól arís.

It is the cure of a hangover (to) drink again.

Note: This is a more direct reference to what in Béarla is known as “the hair of the dog that bit you”. To some it may seem incongruous that drink would both cause and cure the condition; but the logic is often more apparent to one who is suffering the effects of “one too many”.

An té a bhíonn breoite, ní bhíonn feoil air.

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Health, Living and Dying, Proverbs | 0 comments

An té a bhíonn breoite, ní bhíonn feoil air.

The person who is ailing, there does not tend to be meat on him.

Note: On the surface, this seems merely to be an acknowledgement that the sick often lose weight due to their illnesses. This seanfhocal has a more droll aspect when one considers that “breoite” which generally means “sick”, also has a secondary menaing of “seared”. Hence, the person who is cooked, there does not tend to be meat on him. Is leor sin.

Ní bhíonn tréan buan.

by | Mar 15, 2021 | Health | 0 comments

Ní bhíonn tréan buan.

Strength is not enduring.

Note: This, of course, is a reference to the ever-changing cycles of life. A helpless child grows to be a powerful man (or woman), but must eventually yield to the effects of advancing age. In English, the comment is often made that youth is fleeting.