John Barleycorn got up again, And sore surprised them all.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- John Barleycorn, representing barley or alcohol, survived to surprise his enemies.
- In plain terms
- The subject recovered unexpectedly and shocked everyone.
- What can you take from it?
- Resilience can catch opponents off guard.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What has surprised you by coming back?
- How do you handle unexpected recoveries?
Another view
The metaphor is specific to agricultural or drinking contexts.
More from Robert Burns
I was na fou, but just had plenty.
Permalink to quote #26 The heart benevolent and kind The most resembles God.
Permalink to quote #28 Some books are lies frae end to end.
Permalink to quote #25
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