Heroes Are Artists Who Strive for Moral Beauty
Words of wisdom from American poet Walt Whitman: “I think of few heroic actions, which cannot be traced to the artistical impulse. He who does great deeds, does them from his innate sensitiveness to moral beauty.”
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What makes a hero? What drives heroic acts? To American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892), heroes are like artists in that they strive for beauty. But while a poet works with words and musicians with tones, heroes use great deeds and moral action to bring beauty in the world.
It’s a poet’s perspective for sure, but Whitman’s words paint a vivid portrait of the heroic core:
“I think of few heroic actions, which cannot be traced to the artistical impulse. He who does great deeds, does them from his innate sensitiveness to moral beauty.”
