Explore Quotes by Walt Whitman

The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.

And there is no trade or employment but the young man following it may become a hero.

Why are there trees I never walk under but large and melodious thoughts descend upon me?

The great city is that which has the greatest man or woman: if it be a few ragged huts, it is still the greatest city in the whole world.

Other lands have their vitality in a few, a class, but we have it in the bulk of our people.

Whoever degrades another degrades me, And whatever is done or said returns at last to me.

I heard what was said of the universe, heard it and heard it of several thousand years; it is middling well as far as it goes - but is that all?

The beautiful uncut hair of graves.

The dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.

To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.

The real war will never get in the books.

The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.

The whole theory of the universe is directed unerringly to one single individual.

I find no sweeter fat than sticks to my own bones.

Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the free and compacted composition of all.

And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud.

To have great poets, there must be great audiences.

The beauty of independence, departure, actions that rely on themselves.

Produce great men, the rest follows.

He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.

All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candor.