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What's the story with that weird 'Irish proverb' Donald Trump just read out? An investigation

“Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue.” What?

Tweet by @TheJournal Politics TheJournal Politics / Twitter TheJournal Politics / Twitter / Twitter

IRELAND HAS MANY great proverbs. “May the road rise to meet you.” That’s the most famous one. “Maireann na daoine ar scáil a chéile.” That’s one you probably learned for your Leaving Cert.

But the one that Trump recited today after his meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the White House? It’s not one many people had heard before.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

As we stand together with our Irish friends, I’m reminded of an Irish proverb – and this is a good one, this is one I like, I’ve heard it for many, many years and I love it.
Always remember to forget the friends that proved untrue, but never forget to remember those that have stuck by you.

Well. Who knew Ireland had such a Trumpian proverb? Unless, as lots of people suspect… this isn’t an Irish proverb.

Tweet by @The Irish For 🏌🐕 The Irish For 🏌🐕 / Twitter The Irish For 🏌🐕 / Twitter / Twitter

So where does this “Always remember to forget” line come from?

It’s listed as a ‘self-esteem poem’ on this website:

an ocean ellenbailey.com ellenbailey.com

It also appears on this page of ‘St Patrick’s Day blessings’, along such classically Irish phrases as “Dance as if no one were watching”:

st patricks day english-zone.com english-zone.com
FitnessAndFreebies.com also has it as an Irish blessing:

always remember

While according to Poemhunter, it’s a line from the poem Always Remember, by a Nigerian poet called Albashir Adam Alhassan.

poemhunter Poemhunter Poemhunter

A few royalties wouldn’t go amiss for poor old Albashir, we’d wager.

Dear Team Trump: Might we suggest you consult the Leaving Cert syllabus for a more suitable proverb next time? All the best, Ireland.

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