To A Pupil

Walt Whitman

   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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