Quotessence
Home / Authors / Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman Quotes

Poet

Filter quotes by topic

AllLeaves Of GrassMenSoulLifePoetryEarthKnowsIfsWellsInspirationalNightBeautifulWorldDeathGivingLoveThinkingBodyMayMiracle

Famous Walt Whitman Quotes

“He is a type of our best — our rarest. Electrical, I was going to say, beyond anyone, perhaps, ever was: charged, surcharged. Not a founder of new philosophies — not of that build. But a towering magnetic presence, filling the air about with light, warmth, inspiration. A great intellect, penetrating, in ways (on his field) the best of our time — to be long kept, cherished, passed on... It should not be surprising that I am drawn to Ingersoll, for he is 'Leaves of Grass.' He lives, embodies, the individuality I preach. 'Leaves of Grass' utters individuality, the most extreme, uncompromising. I see in Bob the noblest specimen —American-flavored—pure out of the soil, spreading, giving, demanding light. {Whitman's thought on his good friend, the great Robert Ingersoll}”

LovePhilosophyPoetryFriendshipGreatnessHonorRespectPraiseIndividualityWarmIntellectAdmirationBrotherhoodLeaves Of GrassComplimentsIngersollRobert G IngersollRobert IngersollRobert Green IngersollBob Ingersoll
Author:Walt Whitman
Create image

“Paine was a grand fellow — high—with the most splendid sense of justice. But he was a reasoner — not warm — not letting out the natural palpitating passion... which perhaps he didn't have. But I see all that and more in Ingersoll. His imagination flames and plays up, up, up. It is a grand height! And he has so sharp a blade, too; is many-sided, gifted for great effects in different spheres. I don't suppose we ever had a man here so well adapted to that work. {Whitman's thought on Thomas Paine and his good friend, Robert Ingersoll}”

LoveReasonFriendshipJusticeGreatnessHonorRespectPraiseAdmirationComplimentsPaineIngersollRobert G IngersollRobert IngersollRobert Green IngersollThomas PaineFounding FatherBob Ingersoll
Book:Walt Whitman's Camden conversations
Create image

“I will leave all and come and make the hymns of you, None has understood you, but I understand you, None has done justice to you, you have not done justice to yourself, None but has found you imperfect, I only find no imperfection in you, None but would subordinate you, I only am he who will never consent to subordinate you, I only am he who places over you no master, owner, better, God, beyond what waits intrinsically in yourself.”

LoveAcceptancePerfection
Author:Walt Whitman
Create image

“Trippers and askers surround me, People I meet, the effect upon me of my early life or the ward and city I live in, or the nation, The latest dates, discoveries, inventions, societies, authors old and new, My dinner, dress, associates, looks, compliments, dues, The real or fancied indifference of some man or woman I love, The sickness of one of my folks or of myself, or ill-doing or loss or lack of money, or depressions or exaltations, Battles, the horrors of fratricidal war, the fever of doubtful news, the fitful events; These come to me days and nights and go from me again, But they are not the Me myself. Apart from the pulling and hauling stands what I am, Stands amused, complacent, compassionating, idle, unitary, Looks down, is erect, or bends an arm on an impalpable certain rest, Looking with side-curved head curious what will come next, Both in and out of the game and watching and wondering at it. Backward I see in my own days where I sweated through fog with linguists and contenders, I have no mockings or arguments, I witness and wait.”

LoveLifeInspirationalThoughts
Book:Song of Myself
Create image

“Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth, And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own, And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own, And that all the men ever born are also my brothers, and the women my sisters and lovers, And that a kelson of the creation is love.”

KnowsMenLoveHandsEarthSpiritPeaceBornMy OwnCreationHe ManBrotherLoversPromiseArgumentSpreadMy BrotherMy SisterSpirit Of GodHands Of God
Book:Annotated LEAVES OF GRASS with English Grammar Exercises: by Walt Whitman (Author), Robert Powell (Editor)
Create image

“Sometimes with one I love, I fill myself with rage, for fear I effuse unreturn'd love; But now I think there is no unreturn'd love—the pay is certain, one way or another; (I loved a certain person ardently, and my love was not return'd; Yet out of that, I have written these songs.)”

ThinkingWayLovePersonsSometimesAgeCertainSongPayWrittenReturnRageOne Way
Book:Delphi Complete Works of Walt Whitman (Illustrated)
Create image

“O YOU whom I often and silently come where you are, that I may be with you; As I walk by your side, or sit near, or remain in the same room with you, Little you know the subtle electric fire that for your sake is playing within me.”

KnowsLoveMayLittlesDreamSidesWalksRoomsFireSakeSubtleWhere You AreElectricYour Side
Book:Leaves of Grass: A Textual Variorum of the Printed Poems, 1860-1867
Create image

“Love-buds, put before you and within you, whoever you are, Buds to be unfolded on the old terms; If you bring the warmth of the sun to them, they will open, and bring form, color, perfume, to you; If you become the aliment and the wet, they will become flowers, fruits, tall blanches and trees.”

IfsLoveFormTermSunTreeColorFlowerFruitTallWarmthWetWithin YouPerfumeBudBlancheWarmth Of The Sun
Book:Walt Whitman: Selected Poems 1855-1892
Create image