Quotes by Author Quotes by Subject Poets Poetry by Topic Submit A Quote
Literature Books Videos Search
 

SEARCH BY  
 
Leaves of Grass - Starting from Paumanok by Walt Whitman
Poems Home Walt Whitman Home
 
Add To Favourites
 Add to Facebook | AddThis Social Bookmark Button | Stumble This
Previous Index Next
Suggest a Subject for this poem

7
BY
Walt Whitman


Buy Walt Whitman's Works


I am the credulous man of qualities, ages, races,
I advance from the people in their own spirit,
Here is what sings unrestricted faith.


Omnes! omnes! let others ignore what they may,
I make the poem of evil also, I commemorate that part also,
I am myself just as much evil as good, and my nation is--and I say
    there is in fact no evil,
(Or if there is I say it is just as important to you, to the land or
    to me, as any thing else.)


I too, following many and follow'd by many, inaugurate a religion, I
    descend into the arena,
(It may be I am destin'd to utter the loudest cries there, the
    winner's pealing shouts,
Who knows? they may rise from me yet, and soar above every thing.)


Each is not for its own sake,
I say the whole earth and all the stars in the sky are for religion's sake.


I say no man has ever yet been half devout enough,
None has ever yet adored or worship'd half enough,
None has begun to think how divine he himself is, and how certain
    the future is.


I say that the real and permanent grandeur of these States must be
    their religion,
Otherwise there is just no real and permanent grandeur;
(Nor character nor life worthy the name without religion,
Nor land nor man or woman without religion.)



Previous Index Next
   
  Poem of the day (New!!!)
  Quote of the day (New!!!)
 
 

Home | Privacy Policy and Disclaimer | Advertise | Contact Us | Report Errors
Copyright © 2003 - 2008 - QuotesandPoem.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission and prior consent of QuotesandPoem.com