Robert Burns Quotes

Scottish poet and lyricist (1759–1796)

Add quote

Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796) was a poet and pioneer of the Romantic movement and after his death became an important source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.

From: Wikiquote (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Also Known As: Bard of Ayrshire

Alternative Names: Robbie Burns • Rabbie Burns • Scotland's favorite son • Ploughman Poet • The Bard • National poet of Scotland • Robden of Solway Firth

From Wikidata (CC0)

Showing quotes in randomized order to avoid selection bias. Click Popular for most popular quotes.

But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, it's bloom is shed;
Or, like the snow-fall in the river,
A moment white, then melts forever.

We will drain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free.

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, nae cheerfu' twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy;
Naething could resist my Nancy;
For to see her was to love her,
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never loved sae kindly,
Had we never loved sae blindly,
Never met — or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare thee weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!

But to see her was to love her; Love but her, and love for ever. Had we never lov'd sae kindly, Had we never lov'd sae blindly, Never met—or never parted, We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Even thou who mournst the daisies fate, that fate is thine.

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since days of long ago.

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

The fear o’ hell’s a hangman’s whip to haud the wretch in order; But where ye feel your honor grip, let that aye be your border.

"All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn,
Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn."

[Brigs of Ayr]

My love is like the red red rose
That's newly sprung in June
O my love's like the melody
That's newly played in tune

A fig for those by law protected!
Liberty's a glorious feast!
Courts for cowards were erected,
Churches built to please the priest!

An honest man here lies at rest,
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd;
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.

The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip,
To haud the wretch in order;

Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.

She is a winsome wee thing, She is a handsome wee thing, She is a lo'esome wee thing, This sweet wee wife o' mine.