All music is is what awakes from you when you are reminded by the instruments.
Walt WhitmanRead
I say no body of men are fit to make Presidents, judges and generals, unless they themselves supply the best specimens of the same; and that supplying one or two such specimens illuminates the whole body for a thousand years.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Leadership should come from those who embody the qualities of the positions they hold, as their excellence can influence and inspire others.
Walt Whitman's quote emphasizes the importance of exemplary leadership and how individuals in positions of power, such as presidents, judges, and generals, should themselves be the best representations of those roles. The idea is that having just a few outstanding leaders can have a profound and lasting impact on the larger community, illuminating and inspiring others for generations.
Themes
LeadershipExcellenceInfluenceInspirationCommunity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the importance of role models in leadership.
More from Walt Whitman
All quotes →Did you, too, O friend, suppose democracy was only for elections, for politics, and for a party name? I say democracy is only of use there that it may pass on and come to its flower and fruit in manners, in the highest forms of interaction between people, and their beliefs - in religion, literature, colleges and schools- democracy in all public and private life.
Walt WhitmanRead
In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.
Walt WhitmanRead
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
Walt WhitmanRead
Now, dearest comrade, lift me to your face,_x000D_ _x000D_ We must separate awhileHere! take from my lips this kiss._x000D_ _x000D_ Whoever you are, I give it especially to you;_x000D_ _x000D_ So long!And I hope we shall meet again.
Walt WhitmanRead
And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud.
Walt WhitmanRead
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