Walt Whitman, born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York, and passing away on March 26, 1892, was one of America’s most influential poets. His work, particularly the monumental poetry collection Leaves of Grass, celebrated the human spirit, nature, and democracy. Renowned for his bold expressions of individuality and universality, 100 quotes of Walt Whitman and his words continue to inspire and provoke thought across generations. His contribution to American literature and the ethos of his country during transformative times mark him as a seminal figure in shaping the cultural and societal narrative of the United States.
Walt Whitman Quotes on Personal Virtues and Growth
Walt Whitman’s poetry and prose overflow with reflections on personal development and the virtues that elevate human character. His beliefs in the goodness of the human spirit and the potential for personal growth shine through his works, making his quotes timeless treasures that encourage readers towards self-betterment and wisdom.
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Character
“I exist as I am, that is enough.”
“Be curious, not judgmental.”
“Re-examine all that you have been told… dismiss that which insults your soul.”
“The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges or churches or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.”
“Simplicity is the glory of expression.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Education
“Wisdom is not finally tested in schools.”
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”
“The whole theory of the universe is directed unerringly to one single individual.”
“There was never any more inception than there is now.”
“I am large, I contain multitudes.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Knowledge
“The known universe has one complete lover and that is the greatest poet.”
“I am the teacher of athletes, He that by me spreads a wider breast than my own proves the width of my own.”
“Have you heard that it was good to gain the day? I also say it is good to fall, battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won.”
“When I give, I give myself.”
“You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Intelligence
“Pointing to another world will never stop vice among us; shedding light over this world can alone help us.”
“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”
“To have great poets, there must be great audiences too.”
“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself.”
“The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Wisdom
“Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.”
“Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune.”
“Be not curious about God, For I who am curious about each am not curious about God.”
“The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.”
“All truths wait in all things, They neither hasten their own delivery nor resist it.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Virtue
“Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others.”
“Resist much, obey little.”
“What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.”
“Whoever degrades another degrades me, And whatever is done or said returns at last to me.”
“I have learned that to be with those I like is enough.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Ethics
“I speak the pass-word primeval, I give the sign of democracy, By God! I will accept nothing which all cannot have their counterpart of on the same terms.”
“I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends.”
“Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling.”
“Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.”
“I accept reality and dare not question it.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Morality
“And your very flesh shall be a great poem.”
“The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.”
“In the faces of men and women, I see God.”
“To die is different from what any one supposed, and luckier.”
“I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four, and each moment then, In the faces of men and women I see God, and in my own face in the glass.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Courage
“Stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, and hate tyrants.”
“All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candor.”
“Have you fear’d the future would be nothing to you? Is today nothing? Is the beginningless past nothing? If the future is nothing, they are just as surely nothing.”
“To be great is to be misunderstood.”
“Dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem.”
Walt Whitman Quotes on Societal Values and Governance
Walt Whitman’s reflections extend beyond the personal to consider the structures and values of society. His poetry often touched on themes of democracy, justice, and the role of the individual in shaping governance.
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Society
“The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges or churches or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.”
“I speak the pass-word primeval, I give the sign of democracy, By God! I will accept nothing which all cannot have their counterpart of on the same terms.”
“Produce great people, the rest follows.”
“A great city is that which has the greatest men and women.”
“Here the free spirit of mankind, at length, Throws its last fetters off; and who shall place A limit to the giant’s unchained strength, Or curb his swiftness in the forward race!”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Justice
“I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul, The pleasures of heaven are with me and the pains of hell are with me, The first I graft and increase upon myself, the latter I translate into a new tongue.”
“The real war will never get in the books.”
“I do not trouble my spirit to vindicate itself or be understood, I see that the elementary laws never apologize.”
“Resist much, obey little.”
“Justice is the soul of the universe.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Democracy
“The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.”
“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear.”
“Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.”
“The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the nation as a whole.”
“Sail, sail thy best, ship of democracy, Of value is thy freight, ’tis not the present only, The past is also stored in thee!”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Constitution
“I am the poet of the woman the same as the man, And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man, And I say there is nothing greater than the mother of men.”
“The sum of all known reverence I add up in you, whoever you are.”
“The past and present wilt—I have fill’d them, emptied them, And proceed to fill my next fold of the future.”
“Have you reckon’d a thousand acres much? have you reckon’d the earth much? Have you practis’d so long to learn to read? Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?”
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Leadership
“The great city is that which has the greatest men and women, If it be a few ragged huts it is still the greatest city in the whole world.”
“The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.”
“Not I nor anyone else can travel that road for you, You must travel it for yourself.”
“That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”
“From this hour, freedom! From this hour I ordain myself loosed of limits and imaginary lines.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Politics
“I am the poet of the common man.”
“He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.”
“The art of art, the glory of expression and the sunshine of the light of letters, is simplicity.”
“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”
“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Government
“The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants.”
“Sail, sail thy best, ship of democracy.”
“He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.”
“Resist much, obey little.”
“I speak the pass-word primeval, I give the sign of democracy.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Law
“I see that the elementary laws never apologize.”
“What is commonest, cheapest, nearest, easiest, is Me, Me going in for my chances, spending for vast returns, Adorning myself to bestow myself on the first that will take me, Not asking the sky to come down to my good will, Scattering it freely forever.”
“The real war will never get in the books.”
“The dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.”
“If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Power
“The power of the imagination makes us infinite.”
“What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.”
“If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.”
“The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.”
“Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Community
“I dream’d in a dream I saw a city invincible to the attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth.”
“I am large, I contain multitudes.”
“The past and present wilt—I have fill’d them, emptied them.”
“The great city is that which has the greatest men and women.”
“Behold, I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.”
5 Best Walt Whitman Quotes on Cultural Awareness
“Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.”
“The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.”
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”
“I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear.”
“He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.”
Conclusion on Walt Whitman Quotes
Walt Whitman’s quotes offer a profound insight into the soul of American poetry and democracy, celebrating individuality and communal values alike. His words resonate with timeless wisdom, urging us to embrace our own identities and the diverse tapestry of society. Whitman’s reflections on life, love, and governance remind us of the enduring power of poetry to inspire and provoke thought, bridging the personal with the political. Through 100 best quotes of Walt Whitman and lyrical prowess, he not only captured the essence of 19th-century America but also laid down principles that continue to influence our understanding of democratic values and personal freedom today. His vision of a united yet diverse America remains a guiding light for generations seeking to comprehend and enhance the human condition.
