Quotes from Walt Whitman

All music is what awakes within us when we are reminded by the instruments; It is not the violins or the clarinets - It is not the beating of the drums - Nor the score of the baritone singing his sweet romanza; not that of the men's chorus, Nor that of the women's chorus - It is nearer and farther than they

I wear my hat as I please, indoors or out.

Stand up for the Crazy and Stupid

When I give, I give myself

Of Equality--as if it harm'd me, giving others the same chances and rights as myself--as if it were not indispensable to my own rights that others possess the same.

Oh while I live, to be the ruler of life, not a slave, to meet life as a powerful conqueror, and nothing exterior to me will ever take command of me

Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune.

Are you the new person drawn toward me?

My spirit has pass'd in compassion and determination around the whole earth. I have look'd for equals and lovers an found them ready for me in all lands, I think some divine rapport has equalized me with them

Press close, bare-bosomed Night! Press close, magnetic, nourishing Night! Night of south winds! Night of the large, few stars! Still, nodding Night! Mad, naked, Summer Night! from Strophe 21, Song of Myself

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. To me, every hour of the light and dark is a miracle.

In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.