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It is only the novice in political economy who thinks it is the duty of government to make its citizens happy - government has no such office.

Walt Whitman

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Walt Whitman
Age: 72 †
Born: 1819
Born: May 31
Died: 1892
Died: March 26
Editor
Essayist
Journalist
Novelist
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Poet
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West Hills
New York
Walter Whitman
Economy
Happy
Political
Novice
Government
Novices
Make
Thinks
Thinking
Citizens
Office
Duty

More quotes by Walt Whitman

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Here is not merely a nation but a teeming nation of nations.
Walt Whitman
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I see that I am to wait for what will be exhibited by death.
Walt Whitman
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O captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done. The ship has weather'd every wrack The prize we sought is won The port is near, the bells I hear The people all exulting While follow eyes, the steady keel The vessel grim and daring But Heart! Heart! Heart! O the bleeding drops of red Where on the deck my captain lies Fallen cold and dead.
Walt Whitman
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Liberty is to be subserved, whatever occurs.
Walt Whitman
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The Past -- the dark unfathomed retrospect! The teeming gulf --the sleepers and the shadows! The past! the infinite greatness of the past! For what is the present after all but a growth out of the past?
Walt Whitman
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Ah little recks the laborer, How near his work is holding him to God, The loving Laborer through space and time
Walt Whitman
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For we cannot tarry here, We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger, We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!
Walt Whitman
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Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me. The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose. Henceforth, I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune. Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.
Walt Whitman
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I say to mankind, Be not curious about God. For I, who am curious about each, am not curious about God - I hear and behold God in every object, yet understand God not in the least.
Walt Whitman
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I say no body of men are fit to make Presidents, judges and generals, unless they themselves supply the best specimens of the same and that supplying one or two such specimens illuminates the whole body for a thousand years.
Walt Whitman
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The question, O me! so sad, recurring - What good amid these, O me, O life? That you are here - that life exists and identity, that the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Walt Whitman
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Either define the moment or the moment will define you.
Walt Whitman
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Every hour of every day is an unspeakably perfect miracle.
Walt Whitman
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Sail Forth- Steer for the deep waters only. Reckless O soul, exploring. I with thee and thou with me. For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared go. And we will risk the ship, ourselves, and all.
Walt Whitman
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The truth is simple. If it was complicated, everyone would understand it.
Walt Whitman
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O the joy of my spirit--it is uncaged--it darts like lightning! It is not enough to have this globe or a certain time, I will have thousands of globes and all time.
Walt Whitman
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O amazement of things-even the least particle!
Walt Whitman
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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
Walt Whitman
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I am too not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.
Walt Whitman
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Touch me, touch the palm of your hand to my body as I pass, Be not afraid of my body.
Walt Whitman