I speak the password primeval; I give the sign of democracy.
O America! Because you build for mankind I build for you.
Future years will never know the seething hell and the black infernal background, the countless minor scenes and interiors of the secession war; and it is best they should not. The real war will never get in the books.
Old age: The estuary that enlarges and spreads itself grandly as it pours into the Great Sea.
What a devil art thou, Poverty! How many desires – how many aspirations after goodness and truth – how many noble thoughts, loving wishes toward our fellows, beautiful imaginings thou hast crushed under thy heel, without remorse or pause!
I exist as I am, that is enough, If no other in the world be aware, I sit content, And if each and all be aware, I sit content.
People who serve you without love get even behind your back.
And I will show that there is no imperfection in the present, and can be none in the future, And I will show that whatever happens to anybody it may be turned to beautiful results.
O the joy of the strong-brawn’d fighter, towering in the arena in perfect condition, conscious of power, thirsting to meet his opponent.
Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard.
Thunder on! Stride on! Democracy. Strike with vengeful stroke!
This face is a dog’s snout sniffing for garbage, snakes nest in that mouth, I hear the sibilant threat.
And I will show of male and female that either is but the equal of the other.
My ties and ballasts leave me – I travel – I sail – My elbows rest in the sea-gaps. I skirt the sierras. My palms cover continents – I am afoot with my vision.
I sing the body that is electric! I celebrate the Self yet to be unveiled!
Give me such shows – give me the streets of Manhattan!
I cannot be awake for nothing looks to me as it did before, Or else I am awake for the first time, and all before has been a mean sleep.
You want to know a sure way to lose money? Buy what’s popular and don’t know what you are investing in.
After you have exhausted what there is in business, politics, conviviality, and so on – have found that none of these finally satisfy, or permanently wear – what remains? Nature remains.
You road I enter upon and look around, I believe you are not all that is here, I believe much unseen is also here.