Art Quote by Walt Whitman
“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!”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Leaves of Grass, 1855
Poverty crushes noble aspirations and compassionate wishes, leaving humanity without remorse or pause.
In simple terms: Poverty destroys good intentions.
Recognize and address poverty’s impact.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- community aid
- policy reform
- personal empathy
- charitable action
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does poverty affect your values?
- What can you do to alleviate its effects?
Poverty may also motivate resilience and solidarity.