s in our bairns: they'll no bed when their belly's fu'.

"Spoken with indignation, when people who are already well enough
cannot hold themselves so, or be satisfied."--_Kelly._

Delays are dangerous.

Did ye ever fit counts wi' him?

Do not boast of your friend, or consider his friendship too
stedfast, until you have had money transactions with him.

Diet cures mair than doctors.

Ding doon Tantallan, and big a road to the Bass.

Ding down the nest, and the rooks will flee away.

"Destroy the places where villains shelter, and they will disperse.
This proverb was unhappily apply'd at the Reformation to the
destroying of many stately cathedrals and collegiate
churches."--_Kelly._

Dinna bow to bawtie, lest he bite.

Be careful how you are familiar with your superiors. "Too much
familiarity breeds contempt."

Dinna cast awa' the cog when the cow flings.

Do not throw away the milking pail if the cow should kick it over:
do not be discouraged if a misfortune should occur.

Dinna dry the burn because it may wat your feet.

Do not remove a public good or convenience because of an individual
objection.

Dinna empty your ain mouth to fill other folk's.

Dinna gut your fish till ye get them.

This saying is common to many countries. "Don't cry herrings till
they are in the net."--_Dutch._ "Don't sell the bearskin before you
have caught the bear."--_Italian._ "Unlaid eggs are uncertain
chickens."--_German._

Dinna lee for want o' news.

Dinna lift me before I fa'.

"'Weel, I've keepit a house this mony a year, and I never heard o'
warm plates to a hot dinner before.' 'Then you refuse to give us
them?' 'By no manner o' means, Dr Seggie, so ye needna lift folks
before they fa'--you're welcome to any plates you please; and a'
that I have to say is, that the langer a body lives they see the
mair ferlies.'"--_Laird of Logan._

Dinna meddle wi' the deil and the laird's bairns.

Dinna scaud your mouth wi' other folk's kail.

Be cautious in interfering with the affairs of neighbours or
strangers.

Dinna sigh for him, but send for him: if he's unhanged he'll come.

Do not speak about a thing, or wish it done, but do it. "Talking is
easier than doing, and promising than performing."--_German._

Dinna speak o' a raip to a chield whase father was hanged.

Dinna straik against the hair.

"O