Nothing happens unless first we dream.
— Carl Sandburg
Famous Quotes
There are some people who can receive a truth by no other way than to have their understanding shocked and insulted.
— Carl Sandburg
Philosophy
Yesterday is done. Tomorrow never comes. Today is here. If you don't know what to do, sit still and listen. You may hear something. Nobody knows. We may pull apart the petals of a rose or make chemical analysis of its perfume, but the mystic beauty of its form and odor is still a secret, locked in to where we have no keys.
I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.
— Carl Sandburg
Inspirational
I am the people — the mob — the crowd — the mass. Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?
Hog Butcher for the World, City of the Big Shoulders.
The fog comes on silent haunches, and then moves on.
I want the respect of intelligent men but I will choose for myself the intelligent. I love art but I decide for myself what is art. I adore beauty but only my own soul shall tell me what is beauty. I worship God but I define and describe God for myself. I am an individual. The pleasure of my own heart shall be first to inform me when I have done good work.
— Carl Sandburg
Individuality
I tell you the past is a bucket of ashes.