Keeayl chionnit yn cheeayl share, mannagh vel ee kionnit ro gheyr.
“Bought wit is the best wit, if it is not bought too dear.”
Lessons learned through hard experience are the most valuable kind, provided they did not cost too much to learn.
— Traditional Isle of Man Wisdom, Isle of Man
Source: Traditional Isle of Man proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Isle of Man
Time enough.
The best-known Manx expression, capturing an unhurried, relaxed attitude toward time and work — sometimes used self-mockingly about the Manx tendency to postpone tasks.
A country without its own language is a country without its own identity.
Language is treated as inseparable from a people's sense of who they are; losing the Manx tongue was felt as losing part of the nation itself.
A silent tongue is better than speaking evil.
Restraint in speech is wiser than using words to harm others.
A wise man thinks all he says, but a fool says all he thinks.
Wisdom lies in weighing words before speaking, while foolishness blurts out every unfiltered thought.
A gossip's mouth is the devil's postbag.
Gossip carries and spreads harm the way a postbag carries letters — the tale-bearer is a vessel for mischief.
It will be wet — the gulls are heading for the mountain.
Traditional island weather-lore: seabirds moving inland toward high ground was read as a sign that rain was coming.