I know of nothing grander, better exercise, better digestion, more positive proof of the past, the triumphant result of faith in human kind, than a well-contested American national election.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
“Democratic Vistas” (1871)
We try often, though we fall back often. A brave delight, fit for freedom’s athletes, fills these arenas, and fully satisfies, out of the action in them irrespective of success. Whatever we do not attain, we at any rate attain the experiences of the fight, the hardening of the strong campaign, and throb with currents of attempt at least. Time is ample. Let the victors come after us.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
“Democratic Vistas” (1871)
Full text.
My enemy is dead, a man divine as myself is dead.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
“Reconciliation” (1865), Leaves of Grass (1855-1892)
Damn all expurgated books; the dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
(Attributed)
Do I contradict myself?
Walt Whitman (1819-1892) American poet
Very well then I contradict myself
(I am large, I contain multitudes).
Leaves of Grass, “Song of Myself”, Part 51 (1855)
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