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 labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward 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, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Live compassionately, reject materialism, serve others, question authority, and continuously re‑evaluate learned beliefs to become a living poem of authenticity.
In simple terms: Live selflessly and question norms.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and lifelong learning.
Themes
humanism
social justice
self‑improvement
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career activism
- education
- personal development
Key Concepts
altruism
critical thinking
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “great poem” mean for you?
- How can you balance service with personal well‑being?
A Different Perspective
Over‑idealizing self‑sacrifice may neglect self‑care.