Quotes about Expression

The dirtiest book of all is the expurgated book.

Stand up for the Crazy and Stupid

I will be your poet, I will be more to you than to any of the rest.

Dismiss whatever insults your own soul; And your very flesh shall be a great poem…

The cleanest expression is that which finds no sphere worthy of itself, and makes one.

Whitman's poems present no trace of rhyme, save in a couple or so of chance instances. Parts of them, indeed, may be regarded as a warp of prose amid the weft of poetry

Come I am determin'd to unbare this broad breast of mine, I have long enough stifled and choked; Emblematic and capricious blades I leave you, now you serve me not, I will say what I have to say by itself, I will sound myself and comrades only, I will never again utter a call only their call, I will raise with it immortal reverberations through the States, I will give an example to lovers to take permanent shape and will through the States

Speech is the twin of my vision . . . . it is unequal to measure itself.

Let your barbaric yop be heard through the rooftops!

Here is what sings unrestricted faith.

In poems or in speeches I say the word or two that has got to be said, adhere to the body, step with the countless common footsteps, and remind every man and woman of something.

The great poets are to be known by the absence in them of tricks, and by the justification of perfect personal candor. All faults may be forgiven of him who has perfect candor.