Robert Burns

Explore 12 quotes by Robert Burns

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men,
Gang aft a-gley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief and pain,
For promis'd joy.

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Making plans Dashed hopes Fate The unexpected

Author

Robert Burns

Source

To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With the Plough.

Medium

Poem

Language

Scots

Time

1785 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. "To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest With the Plough, November, 1785." Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. Kilmarnock: John Wilson, 1786.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "To a Mouse." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited by Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne?

Robert Burns

Auld Lang Syne

Read Auld Lang Syne at poets.org

More information about this quote

Topic

Remembering the past

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Auld Lang Syne

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1796 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. Quoted in "Auld Lang Syne." Scots Musical Museum. Written by James Johnson. 1796, st. 1.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Auld Lang Syne." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited by Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994.

But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed,
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white - then melts for ever.

Robert Burns

Tam o' Shanter

More information about this quote

Topic

Pleasure The ephemeral

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Tam o' Shanter

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1791 1790s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. "Tam O'Shanter." Edinburgh Herald/Edinburgh Magazine, Mar. 1791.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Tam O'Shanter." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited by Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994.

Man's inhumanity to man,
Makes countless thousands mourn!

Robert Burns

Man Was Made to Mourn

More information about this quote

Topic

Man's cruelty to man

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Man Was Made to Mourn

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1784 1780s 18th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. Man was made to Mourn: A Dirge. 1784, st. 11.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Man Was Made to Mourn. A Dirge." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994, I. 11.

Nae man can tether time or tide.

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

The only constant is change Passage of time Ocean and sea

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Tam O'Shanter

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1791 1790s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. "Tam O'Shanter." Edinburgh Herald/Edinburgh Magazine, Mar. 1791.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Tam O'Shanter." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited by Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994.

Beauty's of a fading nature,
Has a season, and is gone!

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Beauty fades The ephemeral Beauty

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Will Ye Go and Marry Katie?

Medium

Song

Language

English

Time

1764 1760s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Burns, Robert. Will Ye Go and Marry Katie? c. 1764.

O Life! thou art a galling load,
Along a rough, a weary road,
To wretches such as I!

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Challenges of life Life The human condition

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Despondency

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1786 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Citation

Burns, Robert. "Despondency: An Ode." Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. Kilmarnock: John Wilson, 1786, I. 4.

O Life! how pleasant in thy morning,
Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning!
Cold-pausing Caution's lesson scorning,
We frisk away,
Like school-boys at th' expected warning,
To joy and play.

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Youth

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Epistle to James Smith

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1786 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. "Epistle to James Smith." Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. Kilmarnock: John Wilson, 1786, st. 16.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "To James Smith." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994, I. 16.

But to see her, was to love her;
Love but her, and love for ever.

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Being in love Love

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Ae Fond Kiss

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1791 1790s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. "Ae Fond Kiss, and Then We Sever." Scots Musical Museum. 1791, I. 11.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Ae Fond Kiss." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994, I. 11.

O Death! the poor man's dearest friend,
The kindest and the best!

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Death as a blessing Death The poor

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Man Was Made to Mourn

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1784 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. Man was made to Mourn: A Dirge. 1784, st. 11.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Man Was Made to Mourn. A Dirge." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994, I. 11.

The social, friendly, honest man,
Whate'er he be,
'Tis he fulfills great Nature's plan,
An' none but he!

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Man as social animal Friendliness Honesty

Author

Robert Burns

Source

Second Epistle to J. Lapraik

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1785 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 0

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. Second Epistle to J. Lapraik. 21 Apr. 1785, st. 15.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "To the Same. April 21st, 1785." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994, st. 15.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.

Robert Burns

More information about this quote

Topic

Scottish highlands Scotland Countries

Author

Robert Burns

Source

My Heart's in the Highlands

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1789 1780s 18th century

Era

Age of Enlightenment

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Burns, Robert. My Heart's in the Highlands. 1789.

Current Citation

Burns, Robert. "Farewell to the Highlands (My Heart's in the Highlands)." Robert Burns: Selected Poems, edited Carol Mcguirk. Penguin Classics, 1994.