A man's a man for a' that. . . . . A prince can mak a…
“A man's a man for a' that. . . . . A prince can mak a belted knight, A marquis, duke, and a' that; But an honest man's aboon his might, Guid faith he mauna fa' that! . . . Then let us pray that come it may, As come it will for a' that, That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, May bear the gree and a' that. For a' that, and a' that, It's comin' yet, for a' that, When man to man, the world o'er, Shall brithers be for a' that.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem asserts that true worth comes from character and integrity, not social rank or wealth.
In simple terms: Character matters more than status.
Key Takeaway
Value integrity over titles.
Themes
e
equality
humility
social critique
human dignity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- leadership
- community building
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
social hierarchy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you demonstrate integrity in daily life?
- What societal structures challenge equality?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook systemic barriers that prevent equality.