Old age, calm, expanded, broad with the haughty breadth of the universe, old age flowing free with the delicious near-by freedom of death.

Books and Reading

Camerado! This is no book; who touches this touches a man.

Contradiction

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

Education

There is that indescribable freshness and unconsciousness about an illiterate person that humbles and mocks the power of the noblest expressive genius.

Freedom

Freedom -- to walk free and own no superior.

Humankind

The whole theory of the universe is directed unerringly to one single individual.

Language

Viewed freely, the English language is the accretion and growth of every dialect, race, and range of time, and is both the free and compacted composition of all.

Loneliness

I celebrate myself, and sing myself.

Miracles

Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle.

Past

The Past -- the dark unfathomed retrospect! The teeming gulf --the sleepers and the shadows! The past! the infinite greatness of the past! For what is the present after all but a growth out of the past?

Professions and Professionals

And there is no trade or employment but the young man following it may become a hero.

Self-sacrifice

Behold I do not give lectures or a little charity, When I give I give myself.

Style

He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.

Travel and Tourism

O public road, I say back I am not afraid to leave you, yet I love you, you express me better than I can express myself.

Youth

Youth, large, lusty, loving -- Youth, full of grace, force, fascination. Do you know that Old Age may come after you with equal grace, force, fascination?