“Henceforth I ask not good fortune. I myself am good fortune.”

“Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road.Healthy, free, the world before me.The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose.Henceforth, I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune.Henceforth, I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing.”

“I am as bad as the worst, but, thank God, I am as good as the best. ”

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume,For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”

“I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I loveIf you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.You will hardly know who I am or what I meanBut I shall be good health to you nonethelessAnd filter and fibre your blood.”

“Do I contradict myself?Very well then I contradict myself,(I am large, I contain multitudes.)”

“I henceforth tread the world, chaste, temperate, an early riser, a steady grower.”