Nothing got without pains but an ill name and long nails.

This is a traditional Scottish proverb from the Scots/English proverbial tradition, contrasting the rewards of effort with the “natural” accumulation of undesirable things. It reflects a common moral economy in early modern and later Scottish culture: reputation and material well-being were understood to require diligence, thrift, and self-discipline, while neglect and idleness tended to produce visible signs of disorder. The pairing of “ill name” (a bad reputation) and “long nails” (a bodily sign of poor grooming or inactivity) gives the saying a homely, memorable concreteness typical of Scottish proverbial speech, often used as a rebuke or admonition to work and take care.

The proverb argues that worthwhile gains demand effort: nothing valuable comes “without pains.” By contrast, two things come easily—an “ill name” and “long nails.” A bad reputation can be acquired quickly through carelessness, and long nails grow on their own when one neglects grooming or productive labor. The humor lies in treating these as the only “free” acquisitions. The saying thus links moral character, social standing, and everyday habits: diligence is required to earn respect and achievement, while idleness and neglect naturally advertise themselves. It functions as both practical advice and social warning about how quickly esteem can be lost.