“Praised be the fathomless universe for life and joy and for objects and knowledge curious.”

— Walt Whitman, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", section 14

About Walt Whitman

1819 – 1892

American poet and essayist who revised 'Leaves of Grass' across nearly four decades, celebrating democracy, the body and the self.

“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)”

“Each moment and whatever happens thrills me with joy.”

“It is a beautiful truth that all men contain something of the artist in them.”

“The consciousness of life is higher than life, the knowledge of the laws of happiness is higher than happiness.”

“Human happiness consists in living according to reason.”

“Virtue extends our days: he lives two lives who relives his past with pleasure.”

“Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness?”

“We think a happy life consists in tranquility of mind.”

“The happiness of men consists in life. And life is in labor.”