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This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the…

“This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labour to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your…” quote by Walt Whitman
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““This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labour to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book,””

Walt Whitman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates a life of universal compassion, humility, and continual questioning of authority and tradition.

In simple terms: Live compassionately, question everything, serve others.

Key Takeaway

Embrace humility and service.

Themes

compassion humility questioning authority service community

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

philosophical ethical

When to use this quote

  • volunteering
  • activism
  • personal reflection
  • education
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

Universalism ethical living social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you practice humility daily?
  • What authority will you question?
A Different Perspective

May be idealistic; practical constraints limit implementation.

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