Quote Originally Posted by Semiomniscient View Post
Yes, well... even as a Calvinist, I don't think John Knox was that friendly of a guy either. I think Robert Burns did an absolutely great thing for Scotland in terms of literature and especially culture. I think Napoleon was one of the most excellent tyrants of history. But I don't think I would have gotten along with him. Robert Burns would at least have been a friendly guy to have a beer with. But I don't see him as a sort of role model upon which I would idealize a "hero". But alas, so what?
If you idolize Burns, then you're missing the whole point -- Burns was an ordinary man with an extraordinary talent. He was by no means perfect, as none of us are, and yet that's what makes him the "greatest Scot" (which isn't necessarily synonymous with "hero", btw) to me -- Instead of a general, a monarch or what-have-you, Scotland chose a farmer who was able to capture universal human emotions into song and story. I think that says a lot for Scotland.

T.