Scotland's national bard and a symbol of Scottish identity, Robert Burns, left a profound legacy through his stirring words, capturing the essence of a nation in verse. His poems, songs, and sentiments — steeped in a distinct nationalistic fervor — have resonated through the ages, earning him the affectionate moniker “The Ploughman Poet”. But did you know Burns was more than just a poet? He was a fierce patriot, with a body of work that stands testament to his love for Scotland. Welcome to our blog post, where we delve into “50 Nationalistic Robert Burns Quotes” that will inspire your patriotic spirit and possibly ignite a newfound appreciation for Burns' eloquent language.
Journey with us as we explore the patriotic fervor that Burns intricately wove into his literary legacy. Get ready to experience Robert Burns quotes that beautifully blend romanticism, realism, and an unmistakable nationalistic pride. Picture this: the year is 1791, Burns is at a dinner party hosted by Lord Daer. Despite being in a room full of British nobles, he toasts to ‘the many' rather than ‘the few', a bold gesture demonstrating his love for his people over power. This single incident encapsulates his ardent nationalism, echoed in his timeless quotes. In this blog post, we not only share these captivating “Robert Burns Quotes”, but we also delve into the stories behind them, amplifying their relevance and impact. So, whether you're a Burns aficionado or a newcomer to his work, strap in for a literary journey into the heart of Scottish patriotism.
Freedom and Liberty
1. “Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.” – Robert Burns, ‘Scots Wha Hae‘
2. “My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here.” – Robert Burns, ‘My Heart's in the Highlands‘
3. “The golden hours on angel wings flew o’er me and my dearie.” – Robert Burns, ‘Ae Fond Kiss‘
4. “For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet for a' that.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man's A Man For A' That'
5. “It's guid to be merry and wise, It's guid to be honest and true.” – Robert Burns
6. “Let us do or die!” – Robert Burns, ‘Scots Wha Hae'
7. “Dare to be honest and fear no labor.” – Robert Burns
8. “But to see her was to love her, love but her, and love forever.” – Robert Burns, ‘Ae Fond Kiss'
9. “O Scotia! my dear, my native soil!” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Mouse'
10. “The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft agley.” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Mouse'
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Pride and Patriotism
- “O my Luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Red, Red Rose'
- “Freedom and whisky gang thegither!” – Robert Burns, ‘The Author’s Earnest Cry And Prayer'
- “No life, if not a brave one, is worth living.” – Robert Burns
- “Nae man can tether time or tide.” – Robert Burns, ‘Tam o' Shanter'
- “The rank is but the guinea’s stamp, The man’s the gowd for a’ that.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That'
- “Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a' the learning I desire.” – Robert Burns, ‘First Epistle to John Lapraik'
- “And I'll ne'er be guid to a haggis mair.” – Robert Burns, ‘Address to a Haggis'
- “While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things, The fate of empires and the fall of kings.” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Mouse'
- “A prince can make a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That'
- “Here’s freedom to him that would read, Here’s freedom to him that would write!” – Robert Burns, ‘The Author’s Earnest Cry And Prayer'
Love for the Land and the People
- “It's nae in titles nor in rank; It's nae in wealth like Lon'on bank.” – Robert Burns, ‘For A' That and A' That'
- “The honest man, though e'er sae poor, Is king o' men for a' that.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That'
- “Is there for honest poverty that hangs his head, and all that?” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That'
- “His locked, lettered, braw brass collar, Showed him the gentleman and scholar.” – Robert Burns, ‘The Twa Dogs'
- “My love is like a red, red rose that’s newly sprung in June.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Red, Red Rose'
- “But pleasures are like poppies spread: You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed.” – Robert Burns, ‘Tam o' Shanter'
- “Their sighs, and groans, and bitter cries.” – Robert Burns, ‘Man Was Made to Mourn'
- “Oh would some power the gift to give us, To see ourselves as others see us.” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Louse'
- “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne.” – Robert Burns, ‘Auld Lang Syne'
- “Scotland! My auld, respected mither!” – Robert Burns, ‘On the Late Captain Grose's Peregrinations Thro' Scotland'
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Resilience and Strength
- “Though they may gang a kennin wrang, To step aside is human.” – Robert Burns, ‘Address to the Unco Guid'
- “Ae spark o' Nature's fire can wauk my Muse.” – Robert Burns, ‘Epistle to James Tennant of Glenconner'
- “My love is like a melody so sweetly played in tune.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Red, Red Rose'
- “I pick my pen to sing my song and contemplate my drink.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Bottle and Friend'
- “Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns, ‘Auld Lang Syne'
- “The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip to haud the wretch in order.” – Robert Burns, ‘Epistle to James Smith'
- “Whate'er the theme, the maiden sang as if her song could have no ending.” – Robert Burns, ‘Highland Mary'
- “The wide world is all before us – but a world without a friend.” – Robert Burns, ‘Auld Lang Syne'
- “Whistle, and I'll come to ye, my lad.” – Robert Burns, ‘Whistle, And I'll Come To You, My Lad'
- “There's a certain something in your look, That sure to taste improves the cook.” – Robert Burns, ‘Epigram on Parting with a Kind Host in the Highlands'
Final Reflections
- “All Nature swears, the lovely dears Her noblest work she classes, O.” – Robert Burns, ‘Green Grow the Rashes'
- “Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn!” – Robert Burns, ‘Man was Made to Mourn'
- “I would not wish any companion in the world but you.” – Robert Burns, ‘The Vision'
- “The best plans of mice and men often go awry.” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Mouse'
- “Fair and lovely is your face, sweet is your smile.” – Robert Burns, ‘Bonnie Lesley'
- “Affliction's sons are brothers in distress.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Man’s A Man For A’ That'
- “But, Mousie, thou art no thy-lane, in proving foresight may be vain.” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Mouse'
- “But to see her was to love her, Love but her, and love forever.” – Robert Burns, ‘Ae Fond Kiss'
- “O wad some Power the giftie gie us, To see oursels as ithers see us!” – Robert Burns, ‘To a Louse'
- “Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi' the sun.” – Robert Burns, ‘A Red, Red Rose'
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