Fredome mays man to haiff liking

Thought
Written By Frances Lawrence

“Fredome mays man to haiff liking.”

- John Barbour

Written by Scottish poet John Barbour, in the 14th century, it’s part of his epic poem The Brus, which tells the story of Robert the Bruce and Scotland's fight for independence.

In modern English, it means: "Freedom allows a person to have happiness (or contentment)."

  • Fredome = Freedom

  • Mays = Makes / Allows

  • Man = A person

  • To haiff liking = To have pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness

Barbour was celebrating the idea that liberty is essential to human joy and fulfillment.

Frances Lawrence
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