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Quote by Walt Whitman

Work

Leaves of Grass and Other Writings

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Author

Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman

American poet, considered one of the pioneers of American poetry. His work, 'Leaves of Grass,' has had a profound impact on American poetry. more

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“I have never ceased to be fascinated by feminine beauty. In a man, beauty, if it exists, is usually simple; a complete harmony of physical qualities and behaviour all acting together as a whole. The slightest flaw causes it to disappear. In women, beauty is more complex. Often, in my experience, the impression of beauty is created by a single aspect of a woman and from that aspect beauty appears to spread outward through every part of them, rendering them beautiful in their entirety. Sometimes such beauty comes from a smile. Sometimes from a lovely pair of eyes. Sometimes from an attitude, or a form of movement, or a sentiment of goodness or happiness which reveals itself in a single expression. Sometimes it is the curve of a body from which beauty spreads, sometimes a tone of skin, or a river of glossy hair that catches the light and seems to shine like silk. Yet were that aspect removed and not replaced by something else, so too would the beauty it had brought to light disappear. Less often, beauty comes from several sources in the same person, all working together to increase the impression of overall beauty. If one of these aspects were to disappear, unlike a man, the woman would remain beautiful, though changed.”

“In the darkness, every ray that broke through was not only noticeable but absolutely brilliant. Although this cavern surely did nothing to make the sun’s rays more brilliant than they already were, it did serve to elucidate their existing beauty. In the same way, my chronic brokenness and failures didn’t hinder the beauty of what God had done for me. Instead, my mistakes reminded me of the extent He went to in order to forgive me, heal me, and free me.”