Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.
Robert BurnsRead
Here's to us, who's like us Damn few, and they're all dead.
Interpretation
This quote celebrates the rarity and value of true companionship.
Robert Burns' quote highlights a sense of camaraderie and loyalty among those who share deep bonds, suggesting that such connections are rare and precious. The phrase 'Damn few, and they're all dead' emphasizes that genuine friends are few and often lost, making the ones that remain extremely valuable.
In practice
In a toast at a reunion, one might say this quote to honor lifelong friends.
Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.
I'm truly sorry man's dominion has broken Nature's social union.
Love's first snow-drop, virgin kiss.
All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min?
Apropos, is not the Scotch phrase 'Auld Lang Syne' exceedingly expressive? I shall give you the verses on the other sheet. The words of 'Auld Lang Syne' are good, but the music is an old air, the rudiments of the modern tune of that name. ... Dare to be honest and fear no labor. ... Opera is where a man gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings. ... Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure thrill the deepest notes of woe. ... Critics! Those cut-throat bandits in the paths of fame.
To see a friend who has suffered the loss of all things begin again with trust and love, gives us strength to continue on.
There is nothing worth the wear of winning, but laughter and the love of friends.
... the friendship of worthless people has a bad effect (because they take part, unstable as they are, in worthless pursuits, and actually become bad through each other's influence). But the friendship of the good is good, and increases in goodness because of their association. They seem even to become better men by exercising their friendship and improving each other; for the traits that they admire in each other get transferred to themselves.
Be sure to put the knocker fairly low on your door in case a very small friend drops by.
I think that women definitely have a special bond as friends that is hard to describe to men, and we don't often see that portrayed narratively.
Without a doubt, my richest relationships are my long-term friendships with musical partners, because we make music together. That's what we love to do with our lives.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.