It is not half so dangerous to a man to be immured in a dungeon alone with God and his own clear conscience, as to walk the streets fearing the scrutiny of a thousand eyes, ready to veil, with anxious care, whatever may not suit the many-headed monster in its momentary mood. Gentleness is dignified, but caution is debasing; only a noble fearlessness can give wings to the mind, with which to soar beyond the common ken, and learn what may be of use to the crowd below.

-Margaret Fuller

           Margaret Fuller, “American Literature,” Papers on Literature and Art, reviewed briefly by Whitman in the Eagle (November 9, 1846), quoted in Shephard 58. Fuller’s article also appears in Whitman’s Complete Writings 10: 89 as “American Literature piece torn from a book.”