(West Hills (New York), 31 May 1819 – Camden (New Jersey), 26 March 1892).
American poet, journalist and essayist whose poetry collection Leaves of Grass marked a milestone in the history of American literature. He is what Americans call a ‘self-made’ man: he started out as an errand boy in a law firm, then worked in a print shop, then became a village schoolteacher, founded several magazines, built houses, and planned and wrote further on his magnum opus, Leaves of Grass, meanwhile. Whitman never married, never left America, never pursued property and wealth, belonged to no society and preferred to associate with ordinary people rather than the rich, and he was always optimistic and cheerful. He was a distinct, imposing figure, tall in stature, slow-moving, tolerant, democratic, receptive, and towards everyone generous and of good will.
Walt Whitman (1887). Photo wikipedia.org
Nothing endures but personal qualities.
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Some people are so much sunshine to the square inch.
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I like the scientific spirit—the holding off, the being sure but not too sure, the willingness to surrender ideas when the evidence is against them: this is ultimately fine—it always keeps the way beyond open—always gives life, thought, affection, the whole man, a chance to try over again after a mistake—after a wrong guess.
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Resist much, obey little.
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Happiness, not in another place but this place. Not for another hour but this hour.
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From this hour, freedom! Going where I like, my own master.
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Do anything, but let it produce joy.
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Not I, or anyone else can travel that road for you. You must travel it by yourself. It’s not far. It is within reach. Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know. Perhaps it is everywhere-on water and land.
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I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable.
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If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred.
Photo by unsplash. Meaning:Sanctity of the Human Body: The statement emphasises that the human body, and therefore human beings themselves, deserve intrinsic value and respect. This may refer to the beauty and complexity of life and the need to value ourselves and others. Human Dignity: The idea that every individual is entitled to respect and reverence, which ties in with broader themes of human rights and humanity. Origin: Walt Whitman, who is known for his celebration of humanity, nature, and individualism in his work. His poems, especially in ‘Leaves of Grass,’ reflect a deep respect for the human body and the human experience. Cultural and Philosophical Context: The statement can be seen in the context of 19th-century Romantic and humanist traditions, which emphasised individuality and the value of human existence.
And as to me, I know nothing else but miracles.
Photo: m.apkpure.com. Meaning: A deep sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty and magic of life. It suggests that the speaker is constantly surrounded by wondrous experiences and that these influence their worldview. Origin: The saying comes from the work of Walt Whitman and was published in ‘Leaves of Grass’, which plays an important role in American literature and offers a profound exploration of the wonders of life. 📖🌿
Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.
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I exist as I am, that is enough.
Photo: Lane Smith. Meaning: Self-acceptance: The quote emphasises that you should be content with yourself. Value of the individual: It indicates that everyone is valuable, regardless of the opinions of others. Authenticity: It encourages staying true to yourself and your own identity. Source: Although the quote is often attributed to Herman Gorter, the original author is Walt Whitman, who is best known for his collection ‘Leaves of Grass,’ in which he explores themes of democracy, nature, and individuality. Whitman’s work often emphasises the beauty of life and the value of the individual.
Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.
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We were together. I forget the rest.
Photo: Fredrik Sellgren. Meaning:Personal Memory: It emphasizes the value of being together and how these experiences are more important than other details. Emotional Connection: It suggests that shared moments are the core of our lives, even as other things fade. These words remind us that the moments we share together are unforgettable and form the foundation of our memories. Source: Walt Whitman: A prominent figure in American literature, known for his work “Leaves of Grass,” in which he explores themes of connection, nature, and humanity.
I discover myself on the verge of a usual mistake.
Photo Annie Spratt. Meaning: In short: he asks for a moment, after suffocation, dreaming, sleep — and realizes that he is about to make the usual mistake. In the following lines, this mistake is implicitly clarified: it is the mistake of forgetting his own suffering, mockery, tears, and wounds — of ignoring or dismissing this pain and struggle as unimportant (“forget the mockers and insults! … forget the trickling tears and the blows …”) Source: Famous poetry collection Leaves of Grass (first edition 1855). More specifically, it seems to be referring to a passage from the poem Song of Myself. – Walt Whitman.
What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.
Photo by Luke Braswell. Meaning: What someone expresses with their eyes – feelings, personality, truth – is perceived as deeper and more genuine than what books or written language can convey. Source: Walt Whitman (1819–1892), an influential American poet, best known for his collection ‘Leaves of Grass’.
Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.
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Peace is always beautiful.
Photo by Daniel Mingook Kim. Meaning:Literally: Peace is always beautiful, regardless of circumstances—a universal truth about the value of peace over conflict. In the context of Whitman’s work: Whitman wrote during and after the American Civil War. For him, peace represented not only the absence of war, but also reconciliation, brotherhood, and the unity of all people. Philosophically: It suggests that peace has an intrinsic beauty independent of external factors—it is a state of being valuable and beautiful in itself. Origin: The quote comes from Walt Whitman’s famous collection of poems, Leaves of Grass. More specifically, it appears in the poem “The Sleepers.”
Love the earth and sun and animals. Despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks. Devote your income and labor to others… Re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book. Dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem.
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All truth wait in all things.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning: The statement means that truth is not hidden in one book, one faith or one authority, but is present in all things: every experience, every person, every object, nature, everyday life. Whitman emphasises that those who truly want to understand must be open to the world. Truth can be found everywhere, if you are willing to look and listen. It is an optimistic, democratic idea: reality itself contains meaning, not just the words of scholars or religious leaders. Origin: It comes from Leaves of Grass (1855), specifically from the poem ‘Song of Myself’. Whitman opens this poem with a series of statements about the connection between man, nature and truth — and this is one of the most quoted lines.
I hear the sound I love, the sound of the human voice.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning: It is a lyrical description of attentive listening, in which the human voice is the most precious and pure sound. The text emphasises receptivity, beauty in simplicity and the emotional power of the voice. Source: Song of Myself (Whitman, 1855).
Simplicity is the glory of expression.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning: It is a paean to sober, precise wording: simplicity as the highest form of linguistic mastery. Source: Specimen Days & Collect (1882) – Walt Whitman.
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning: The primacy of direct, sensory, and mystical experience (here: dawn) over abstract philosophy from books. It is a romantic-transcendentalist idea, succinctly expressed in the movement that sees nature as the greatest teacher. Source: “Leaves of Grass,” specifically in the poem “Song of Myself” (version 1855 and later), Walt Whitman’s masterpiece.
We convince by our presence.
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning: True conviction doesn’t always come from reasoning, arguments, or fine words, but rather from the presence and authenticity of one’s being. When you “are there”—when you are real, yourself, with integrity and sincerity—then that often has far more impact than anything you say. Source: The poem was published in 1856 as part of Leaves of Grass, the collection that made Whitman famous. Sometimes, incorrectly attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.
To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle
Image: Peter van Geest AI. Meaning:Everyday Miraculousness: Whitman sees not only extraordinary events as miraculous, but every moment of daily life. This reflects a mindset of mindfulness and complete presence in the present. Unspeakably Perfect: “Perfection” is “unspeakable”—too great for words. It is an experience that cannot be fully grasped rationally, but is felt intuitively. Spiritual Attitude: For Whitman, this was not an isolated statement, but the core of his worldview. He believed in the inherent beauty and meaning of life itself, independent of religious dogma. This attitude aligns with transcendentalist ideas that saw the divine in nature and human existence. Antidote to Cynicism: The quote invites us to live consciously and to look for the miracle in seemingly ordinary moments—the sunshine, a night sky, a simple breath. In short, Whitman expresses a deep gratitude and wonder at the pure fact of being, where every moment of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle. Source: From the poem “Poem of Perfect Miracles” (later known as “Miracles”) in the 1856 edition of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.
I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars.
Photo by Aaron Burden. Meaning: Everything in the universe is interconnected and equal. A simple blade of grass is just as wondrous and meaningful as the stars. There is no hierarchy between the large and the small, the sublime and the mundane. Nature contains the same creative power everywhere; the divine is in everything. It is a celebration of democracy, nature, spirituality and connectedness. In short: the everyday carries the same cosmic beauty and value as the sublime. Source: Leaves of Grass (first edition 1855, later expanded several times). The passage is from the poem ‘Song of Myself’ by Walt Whitman.
Door Pieter
Mensenmens, zoon, echtgenoot, vader, opa.
Spiritueel, echter niet religieus.
Ik hou van golf, wandelen, lezen en de natuur in veel opzichten.
Onderzoeker, nieuwsgierig, geen fan van de mainstream media (MSM).
