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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker rejects global beauty for a specific local symbol of Scotland. The local rose is sharp, sweet, and emotionally powerful.
In plain terms
I prefer the specific rose of Scotland over all others.
What can you take from it?
Local symbols can hold deeper value than global ones.

Where it applies

  • homesickness
  • artistic choice
  • national pride

Putting it to work

  • cherish local roots
  • value specificity

Questions to consider

  • What symbol represents your home?
  • Why do specifics matter?

Another view

Exclusive focus on local may ignore broader beauty.

More from Hugh MacDiarmid

  1. If there's a sword-like sang That can cut Scotland clear O a' the warld beside Rax me the hilt o't here. For there's nae jewal till Frae the rest o earth it's …

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  2. It is time we in Scotland put England in its proper place and instead of our leaning on England and taking inspiration from her, we should lean and turn to Eur…

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. The number of people who can copulate properly may be few; the number who can write well are infinitely fewer.

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