Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1891-92)

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TO A PUPIL.

IS reform needed? is it through you?

The greater the reform needed, the greater the Personality you
need to accomplish it.

You! do you not see how it would serve to have eyes, blood,
complexion, clean and sweet?

Do you not see how it would serve to have such a body and soul
         that when you enter the crowd an atmosphere of desire
         and command enters with you, and every one is impress'd
         with your Personality?

O the magnet! the flesh over and over!

Go, dear friend, if need be give up all else, and commence to-day
to inure yourself to pluck, reality, self-esteem, definiteness,
elevatedness,

Rest not till you rivet and publish yourself of your own Personality.

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