Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” Quotes (17 Quotes)

I pass death with the dying and birth with the new-wash'd babe, and am not contained between my hat and my boots,

I refuse putting from me the best that I am.

I swear I begin to see the meaning of these things. It is not the earth, it is not America, who is so great, it is I who am great or to be great…

I wear my hat as I please, indoors or out.

I will sleep no more but arise, You oceans that have been calm within me! how I feel you, fathomless, stirring, preparing unprecedented waves and storms.

Oxen that rattle the yoke and chain or halt in the leafy shade, what is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.

Sun so generous it shall be you- Leaves of Grass

The sum of all known value and respect, I add up in you, whoever you are.

Agonies are one of my changes of garments.

Your very flesh shall be a great poem...

And as to me, I know nothing else but miracles

Be composed--be at ease with me--I am Walt Whitman, liberal and lusty as Nature, Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you, Not till the waters refuse to glisten for you and the leaves to rustle for you, do my words refuse to glisten and rustle for you.

Clear and sweet is my soul, clear and sweet is all that is not my soul.

Copulation is no more foul to me than death is.

Do anything, but let it produce joy.

Give me solitude - give me Nature - give me again, O Nature, your primal sanities!

I am large, I contain multitudes