--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best-laid plans of mice and men often…" description: "\"The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.\" — Robert Burns" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png" --- # The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry. ![“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” quote by Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png) > “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Plans often fail despite careful preparation, highlighting life's unpredictability. **In simple terms:** Plans can go wrong. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and adapt. Themes uncertainty adaptability humility Mood reflective resigned Type cautionary philosophical When to use this quote - project planning - personal goals - relationships - travel - financial investing Key Concepts Chaos theory human fallibility Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when plans collapse? - What can you learn from unexpected outcomes? A Different Perspective Even the best plans can be derailed by unforeseen events. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best laid plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-laid-plans/) [Laid Plans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laid-plans/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mice And Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mice-and-men/) [Planning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planning/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [“Is it dangerous to plan too much? Yes, we all need to plan, to have a plan, but life goes on regardless of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-w-p-garland/is-it-dangerous-to-plan-too-much-yes-we-all-need-to-plan-to-have-a/) [Leslie W.P. Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-w-p-garland/) > [You know, the best-laid plans of mice and men... I like playing bad guys, and I don't have a problem doing that. They're interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobin-bell/you-know-the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-i-like-playing-bad-guys/) [Tobin Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobin-bell/) > [The best-laid plans of mice and comedians usually wind up on the cutting-room floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-comedians-usually-wind-up-on-the/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [But little Mouse, you are not alone, In proving foresight may be vain: The best laid schemes of mice and men Go often askew,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/but-little-mouse-you-are-not-alone-in-proving-foresight-may-be-vain/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The best laid plans take 40 years to complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-take-40-years-to-complete/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Machines were mice and men were lions once upon a time. But now that it's the opposite it's twice upon a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moondog/machines-were-mice-and-men-were-lions-once-upon-a-time-but-now-that/) [Moondog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moondog/) > [Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, "It might have been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/of-all-the-words-of-mice-and-men-the-saddest-are-it-might-have-been/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [I've often wondered, when they've done Of Mice And Men on stage, and I've seen it, how they did that gun thing. I've watched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-walston/i-ve-often-wondered-when-they-ve-done-of-mice-and-men-on-stage-and-i/) [Ray Walston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-walston/) > [Of mice and men shirt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/of-mice-and-men-shirt/) Patience > [In 'Of Mice And Men' I play a straight dramatic role and I'm the only female in the play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-heatherton/in-of-mice-and-men-i-play-a-straight-dramatic-role-and-i-m-the-only/) [Joey Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-heatherton/) > [I loved working on Of Mice and Men. It was a wonderful group of people. John Malkovich is to me one of the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherilyn-fenn/i-loved-working-on-of-mice-and-men-it-was-a-wonderful-group-of-people/) [Sherilyn Fenn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherilyn-fenn/) > [OF MICE AND MEN! They r so hot!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn/of-mice-and-men-they-r-so-hot/) [Kaitlyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlyn/) > [“We all have the best laid plans for our children, and they go and ruin it all by growing up any way they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-riggle/we-all-have-the-best-laid-plans-for-our-children-and-they-go-and-ruin/) Kristina Riggle > [“They say the best laid plans often go a lie, Because no matter how detailed the preparation, A plan will always have a weak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thorne/they-say-the-best-laid-plans-often-go-a-lie-because-no-matter-how/) [Emily Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thorne/) > [“These what-if equations have kept her life static since adolescence. And if life proves one thing, it’s that the best laid plans don’t necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-alexander/these-what-if-equations-have-kept-her-life-static-since-adolescence/) [Nick Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-alexander/) ## More by Robert Burns > [Some wee short hour ayont the twal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-wee-short-hour-ayont-the-twal/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-snowdrop-and-primrose-our-woodlands-adorn-and-violets-bathe-in/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Oh my luve's like a red, red rose, That's newly sprung in June; Oh my luve's like the melodie That's sweetly played in tune.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/oh-my-luve-s-like-a-red-red-rose-that-s-newly-sprung-in-june-oh-my/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep'd in the morning dews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/again-rejoicing-nature-sees-her-robe-assume-its-vernal-hues-her-leafy/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Gin a body meet a body Coming thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body— Need a body cry?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/gin-a-body-meet-a-body-coming-thro-the-rye-gin-a-body-kiss-a-body/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [“O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/o-wad-some-power-the-giftie-gie-us-to-see-oursels-as-ithers-see-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Liberty's in every blow! Let us do or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/liberty-s-in-every-blow-let-us-do-or-die/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Dare to be honest and fear no labor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/dare-to-be-honest-and-fear-no-labor/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Look abroad through Nature's range, Nature's mighty law is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/look-abroad-through-nature-s-range-nature-s-mighty-law-is-change/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [ “All-cheering Plenty, with her flowing horn, Led yellow Autumn, wreath'd with nodding corn." \[ Brigs of Ayr \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/all-cheering-plenty-with-her-flowing-horn-led-yellow-autumn-wreath-d/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [To make three guineas do the work of five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/to-make-three-guineas-do-the-work-of-five/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Some books are lies frae end to end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/some-books-are-lies-frae-end-to-end/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Who made the heart, 'tis He alone Decidedly can try us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/who-made-the-heart-tis-he-alone-decidedly-can-try-us/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.--Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/nursing-her-wrath-to-keep-it-warm-robert-burns/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [It is cruelty to be humane to rebels, and humanity is cruelty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/it-is-cruelty-to-be-humane-to-rebels-and-humanity-is-cruelty/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) [Explore all 233 Robert Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) ## More Best laid plans quotes > [I was planning on writing a detailed review of several books on web security tonight, but the Obama collapse has superseded my best-laid plans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-foster-johnson/i-was-planning-on-writing-a-detailed-review-of-several-books-on-web/) [Charles Foster Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-foster-johnson/) > [“These what-if equations have kept her life static since adolescence. And if life proves one thing, it’s that the best laid plans don’t necessarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-alexander/these-what-if-equations-have-kept-her-life-static-since-adolescence/) [Nick Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-alexander/) > [“Is it dangerous to plan too much? Yes, we all need to plan, to have a plan, but life goes on regardless of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-w-p-garland/is-it-dangerous-to-plan-too-much-yes-we-all-need-to-plan-to-have-a/) [Leslie W.P. Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-w-p-garland/) > [Carry with you maps and string, flashlights, friends who make you sing, and stars to help you find your place, music, hope, and amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/carry-with-you-maps-and-string-flashlights-friends-who-make-you-sing/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [“They say the best laid plans often go a lie, Because no matter how detailed the preparation, A plan will always have a weak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thorne/they-say-the-best-laid-plans-often-go-a-lie-because-no-matter-how/) [Emily Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thorne/) > [“We all have the best laid plans for our children, and they go and ruin it all by growing up any way they want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-riggle/we-all-have-the-best-laid-plans-for-our-children-and-they-go-and-ruin/) Kristina Riggle > [“The best=laid plans, one's most fastidious contingency strategies have revealed themselves in the cold light of day to be laughably inadequate, no match for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rakoff/the-best-laid-plans-one-s-most-fastidious-contingency-strategies-have/) [David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/) > [The best laid plans take 40 years to complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-take-40-years-to-complete/) [Robert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/) > [The best-laid plans of mice and comedians usually wind up on the cutting-room floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-comedians-usually-wind-up-on-the/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Gather up your telegrams Your faded pictures, best laid plans Books and postcards, 45's Every sunset in the sky Carry with you maps and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-chapin-carpenter/gather-up-your-telegrams-your-faded-pictures-best-laid-plans-books/) [Mary Chapin Carpenter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-chapin-carpenter/) > [Not to be born is undoubtedly the best plan of all. Unfortunately, it is within no one's reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/not-to-be-born-is-undoubtedly-the-best-plan-of-all-unfortunately-it/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [“You can take care of everything except chance. Chance can kill you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-williams/you-can-take-care-of-everything-except-chance-chance-can-kill-you/) [Charles Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-williams/) > [Chaos is roving through the system and able to undo, at any point, the best laid plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/chaos-is-roving-through-the-system-and-able-to-undo-at-any-point-the/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [I have been careless, and so have been thwarted by luck and chance, those wreckers of all but the best laid plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-been-careless-and-so-have-been-thwarted-by-luck-and-chance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Riches do not come by crossing your fingers and walking through the day hoping. Riches and wealth comes from well-laid plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/riches-do-not-come-by-crossing-your-fingers-and-walking-through-the/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) [Browse all 23 Best laid plans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-laid-plans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Burns" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-often-go-awry/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Best laid plans" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-often-go-awry/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/296/robert-burns-1511_best-laid-plans_the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-ofte_699149.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” — Robert Burns", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Robert Burns", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-burns/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The best-laid plans of mice and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-often-go-awry/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-burns/the-best-laid-plans-of-mice-and-men-often-go-awry/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```