A common Scottish proverb, _Let that flee stick to the wa'_, has an obvious meaning,--"Say nothing more on that subject." But the derivation is not obvious[146]. In like manner, the meaning of _He that will to Cupar maun to Cupar_, is clearly that if a man is obstinate, and bent upon his own dangerous course, he must take it. But why Cupar? and whether is it the Cupar of Angus or the Cupar of Fife? _Kindness creeps where it canna gang_ prettily expresses that where love can do little, it will do that little, though it cannot do more. In my part of the country a ridiculous addition used to be made to the common Scottish saying. _Mony a thing's made for the pennie_, i.e. Many contrivances are thought of to get money. The addition is, "As the old woman said when she saw a black man," taking it for granted that he was an ingenious and curious piece of mechanism made for profit. _Bluid is thicker than water_ is a proverb which has a marked Scottish aspect, as meant to vindicate those family predilections to which, as a nation, we are supposed to be rather strongly inclined. _There's aye water where the stirkie[147] drouns._ Where certain effects are produced, there must be some causes at work--a proverb used to show that a universal popular suspicion as to an obvious effect must be laid in truth. _Better a finger aff than aye waggin_'. This proverb I remember as a great favourite with many Scotch people. Better experience the worst, than have an evil always pending. _Cadgers are aye cracking o' crook saddles_[148] has a very Scottish aspect, and signifies that professional men are very apt to talk too much of their profession. The following is purely Scotch, for in no country but Scotland are singed sheep heads to be met with: _He's like a sheep head in a pair o' tangs._ _As sure's deeth_. A common Scottish proverbial expression to signify either the truth or certainty of a fact, or to pledge the speaker to a performance of his promise. In the latter sense an amusing illustration of faith in the superior obligation of this asseveration to any other, is recorded in the _Eglinton Papers_[149]. The Earl one day found a boy climbing up a tree, and called him to come down. The boy declined, because, he said, the Earl would thrash him. His Lordship pledged his honour that he would not do so. The boy replied, "I dinna ken onything about your honour, but if you say as sure's deeth I'll come doun." Proverbs are sometimes local in their application. _The men o' the Mearns canna do mair than they may._ Even the men of Kincardineshire can only do their utmost--a proverb intended to be highly complimentary to the powers of the men of that county.