All music is is what awakes from you when you are reminded by the instruments.
Walt WhitmanRead
The shallow consider liberty a release from all law, from every constraint. The wise man sees in it, on the contrary, the potent Law of Laws.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes that true liberty is not about being free from laws but understanding and embracing a deeper moral framework.
In this quote, Walt Whitman contrasts two perspectives on liberty: the shallow view, which perceives freedom as an absence of constraints, and the wise perspective, which recognizes that true freedom involves adherence to a higher set of moral laws. The wise individual appreciates that genuine liberty requires responsibility and a framework of ethical principles that guide human behavior, rather than mere chaos devoid of regulation.
Themes
LibertyLawsWisdomFreedomConstraints
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civil rights, one might quote this to emphasize that true freedom comes with responsibilities.
More from Walt Whitman
All quotes βDid 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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