What does the phrase 'the best laid plans Of Mice and Men often go awry' mean?

Meaning of 'the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry'.

 

Answer 1:

The most carefully prepared plans may go wrong. Everybody makes plans for the future, but often to those plans do not work out.

No matter how carefully a project is planned, even though we plan to the best of our ability, something may still go wrong with it.


The saying is adapted from a line in "To a Mouse, " by Robert Burns: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men/ Gang aft a-gley."

Answer 2:


1) The phrase is adapted from a poem 'To a Mouse', " by Robert Burns about him running over a mouse home.

Burns used this illustration to show that despite the best laid plans by the lady, she could not have forseen the vermin in her wig.

It implies that "No matter how well you plan something, "stuff" happens. So relax and get over it, it isn't the end of the world.

Answer 3:

This phrase is a variant of a line found in a poem by Robert Burns.

But it is about his plowing a field and accidentally turning over and ruining the nest of a small field mouse at a time of year when it's impossible for the mouse to rebuild.

In the poem Burns tries to reassure the frightened mouse that he meant no harm and likens the plight of the mouse to his own life of struggle. It is a sad but hauntingly beautiful poem.


The quote is not quite right. The poem actually says, "The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley.", having been written in Scots rather than English.


Answer 4:

The phrase means that whether you are a man or a mouse your plans are subject to outside forces and will be subject to change and disruption.


When the final stanza is considered, the sentiment expressed is in fact the opposite, thus;

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me
The present only toucheth thee:
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

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