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This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people.
Walt Whitman
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Love and care for the world and its inhabitants, while rejecting materialism and advocating for kindness and support for others.

Walt Whitman's quote encourages individuals to embrace a life centered around love and compassion for nature, humanity, and the less fortunate. He suggests that material wealth should be despised in favor of generosity and support for those in need, advocating for a life of purpose driven by altruism and understanding rather than judgment and greed.

Themes

LoveEarthCompassionGenerosityMaterialismPatience

In practice

Example use cases

During Earth Day celebrations, this quote can inspire people to focus on environmental stewardship.

More from Walt Whitman

All music is is what awakes from you when you are reminded by the instruments.
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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.
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In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.
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A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
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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.
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And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud.
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