"And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud."

Death

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Death as articulated by Walt Whitman. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Death provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Walt Whitman

Walter Whitman Jr. was an American poet, essayist, and journalist; he also wrote two novels. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature and world literature. Whitman incorporated both transcendentalism and realism in his writings and is often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in his time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described by some as obscene for its overt sensuality.

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More by Walt Whitman

"The foundation of joy is every step forward is a victory over stagnation."

— Walt Whitman
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"It is a humble truth that true authority is measured not by subjugation, but by the empowerment of others — an essential principle for the reflective life."

— Walt Whitman
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"I am as bad as the worst, but, thank God, I am as good as the best."

— Walt Whitman
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More about Death

"There's been a slow death in a way. On the positive side, there are films getting into the Academy Awards that wouldn't have, but on the negative side, financiers are now dominant and making all the decisions. I can't count the ways a director's vision is compromised."

— Lili Taylor
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"The ceaseless labour of your life is to build the house of death."

— Michel de Montaigne
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"So for twelve miles I rode with Sherman, and we became fast friends. He asked me all manner of questions on the way, and I found that he knew my father well, and remembered his tragic death in Salt Creek Valley."

— Buffalo Bill
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"I hope to die in the saddle seat."

— Albert Ellis
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