Part 16 (1/2)
Begin wi' needles and preens, and end wi' horn'd nowte
That is, beginnings apparently trifling ainst dishonesty
Be it better, be it worse, be ruled by hi
Used in yielding a point in dispute because you are either unwilling or unable to argue further; but also indicating that you do not ad sick, that ye may be soon hale
Believe a' ye hear, an' ye may eat a' ye see
Belyve is twa hours and a half
A jocular allusion to the fact that if a person says he will be back, or done with anything ”belyve,” that is, ier than expected
Be ready wi' your bonnet, but sloi' your purse
Be slow in choosing a friend, but slower in changing him
Best to be off wi' the auld love before we be on wi' the new
Be thou weel, or be thou wae, yet thou wilt not aye be sae
Better a bit in thethan a fast a' day
Better a clout in than a hole out
That is, a patched gar fawn on you than bark at you
Better ae e'e than a' blind
Better ae wit bought than twa for nought
Better a finger aff as aye wagging
”The first night is aye the warst o't I hae never heard o' ane that sleepit the night afore the trial, but of ht before their necks were straughted And it's nae wonder--the warst ing”--_Heart of Midlothian_
Better a freer for your friend than a friend turned stranger
Better a gude fame than a fine face
Better alane than in ill co crown
Better a lean horse than a toom halter