All music is is what awakes from you when you are reminded by the instruments.
The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first; Be not discouraged - keep on - there are divine things, well envelop'd; I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages perseverance in the face of nature's initial harshness, suggesting that beauty and divinity lie beneath the surface.
Walt Whitman's quote expresses the idea that while nature may initially appear harsh, silent, and difficult to understand, one should not lose hope. By advocating for persistence and exploration, Whitman reveals that there are profound and beautiful experiences awaiting those who look beyond the surface. This perspective invites individuals to appreciate the deeper, often hidden, beauty and divinity present in the world around them.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a nature retreat, one might share this quote to inspire others to appreciate the hidden beauty in the environment.
More from Walt Whitman
All quotes βDid you, too, O friend, suppose democracy was only for elections, for politics, and for a party name? I say democracy is only of use there that it may pass on and come to its flower and fruit in manners, in the highest forms of interaction between people, and their beliefs - in religion, literature, colleges and schools- democracy in all public and private life.
In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.
A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
Now, dearest comrade, lift me to your face,_x000D_ _x000D_ We must separate awhileHere! take from my lips this kiss._x000D_ _x000D_ Whoever you are, I give it especially to you;_x000D_ _x000D_ So long!And I hope we shall meet again.
And whoever walks a furlong without sympathy walks to his own funeral drest in his shroud.
Similar quotes
There must be something strangely sacred about salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.
The grim frost is at hand, when apples will fall thick, almost thunderous, on the hardened earth.
There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,_x000D_ _x000D_ The earth, and every common sight,_x000D_ _x000D_ To me did seem_x000D_ _x000D_ Apparelled in celestial light,_x000D_ _x000D_ The glory and the freshness of a dream.
To me the question of the environment is more ominous than that of peace and war...I'm more worried about global warming than I am of any major military conflict.
This because it is never really very cold in England. It is drizzly, and the wind will blow; hail happens, and there is a breed of Tuesday in January in which time creeps and no light comes and the air is full of water and nobody really loves anybody, but still a decent jumper and a waxen jacket lined with wool is sufficient for every weather England's got to give.
Anybody can dig a hole and plant a tree. But make sure it survives. You have to nurture it, you have to water it, you have to keep at it until it becomes rooted so it can take care or itself. There are so many enemies of trees.