Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1867)

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SAYS.

1.

I SAY whatever tastes sweet to the most perfect person
—That is finally right.

2.

I SAY the human shape or face is so great, it must
never be made ridiculous;

I say for ornaments nothing outré can be allowed,

And that anything is most beautiful without orna-
ment,

And that exaggerations will be sternly revenged in
your own physiology; and in other persons' phys-
iology also;

And I say that clean-shaped children can be jetted and
         conceiv'd only where natural forms prevail in
         public, and the human face and form are never
         caricatured;

And I say that genius need never more be turn'd to
romances,

(For facts properly told, how mean appear all ro-
mances.)

3.

I HAVE said many times that materials and the Soul
are great, and that all depends on physique;

Now I reverse what I said, and affirm that all depends
on the æsthetic, or intellectual,

And that criticism is great—and that refinement is
greatest of all;

And I affirm now that the mind governs—and that all
depends on the mind.

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4.

WITH one man or woman—(no matter which one—I
even pick out the lowest,)

With him or her I now illustrate the whole law;

I say that every right, in politics or what-not, shall be
eligible to that one man or woman, on the same
terms as any.

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