Book Quote by Robert Burns
“Good Lord, what is man! for as simple he looks, Do but try to develop his books and his crooks, With his depths and his shallows, his good and his evil, All in all, he's a problem must puzzle the devil.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Man" (attributed), 1791
Human nature is complex, containing both good and evil, making each person a puzzling mystery.
In simple terms: People are a mix of good and bad, a mystery.
Key Takeaway
Embrace complexity, seek understanding.
Themes
human nature
duality
complexity
morality
Mood
thoughtful
curious
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- self‑analysis
- teaching ethics
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
literature
Questions to Reflect On
- What contradictions exist within yourself?
- How can we balance judgment with empathy?
A Different Perspective
Simplifying people to "puzzles" can ignore agency and growth.
![“All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn." [ Brigs of Ayr ]” quote by Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f5b/robert-burns-1511_autumn_all-cheering-plenty-with-her-flowing-hor_208127.jpg)
