Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.
Robert BurnsRead
There is nothing in the whole frame of man which seems to me so unaccountable as that thing called conscience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Conscience is a complex aspect of human nature that is difficult to understand.
In this quote, Robert Burns reflects on the enigmatic nature of conscience, suggesting that it is a mysterious and unexplainable aspect of humanity. He implies that, despite our understanding of many human traits and behaviors, conscience remains an elusive and profound element, illustrating the complexity of moral judgment and ethical reasoning within individuals.
Themes
ConscienceHuman NatureMoral JudgmentEthicsMystery
In practice
Example use cases
In a conversation about ethical decision-making, one might say, 'As Robert Burns noted, there is nothing in the whole frame of man which seems so unaccountable as that thing called conscience.'
More from Robert Burns
All quotes →I'm truly sorry man's dominion has broken Nature's social union.
Robert BurnsRead
Love's first snow-drop, virgin kiss.
Robert BurnsRead
All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn.
Robert BurnsRead
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to min?
Robert BurnsRead
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.
Robert BurnsRead
Similar quotes
The mere lapse of years is not life. To eat, to drink, and sleep; to be exposed to darkness and the light; to pace around in the mill of habit, and turn thought into an instrument of trade-this is not life. Knowledge, truth, love, beauty, goodness, faith, alone can give vitality to the mechanism of existence.
James MartineauRead
There's no question that O.J. Simpson had been a substitute white man in America. He had gained honorary white status. He was not viewed by many white Americans as black. He was not seen as the African American athlete who was rebellious: Jim Brown, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron... He was accepted in golf clubs that were very tony.
Michael Eric DysonRead
It struck me as I listened to those two men that a truer nomination (name) for our species than Homo sapiens might be Homo narrans, the storytelling person. What differentiates us from animals is the fact that we can listen to other people’s dreams, fears, joys, sorrows, desires and defeats–and they in turn can listen to ours.
Henning MankellRead
Accuracy to a newspaper is what virtue is to a lady; but a newspaper can always print a retraction.
Adlai E. StevensonRead
Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.
Seneca The YoungerRead
What has the church gained if it is popular but there is no conviction, no repentance, no power?
Aiden Wilson TozerRead