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Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman (31 May 1819 - 26 March 1892) was an American author and poet.

He was famous for the quote, "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself. I contain multitudes." ("Song of Myself", section 51 article at Poets.org)

Legacy[]

In 2270, Leonard McCoy quoted the phrase to Number One. She said that anyone who could quote Whitman had acquitted themselves well. (TOS - New Visions comic: "A Scent of Ghosts")

In 2367, Jean-Luc Picard made the quote while trying to describe Delcara to Geordi La Forge. (TNG novel: Vendetta)

Mackenzie Calhoun recalled a Starfleet Academy instructor who described conflicting warfare theories, and stated the quote whenever he pointed out the conflicts. Calhoun confessed that he wasn't entirely sure what the quote meant while telling a story In 2374, in The Captain's Table. (NF - The Captain's Table novel: Once Burned)

In 2381, Picard made the quote to Beverly Crusher after apparently conceding defeat before a battle was over, which she felt he would never say. (TNG - Destiny novel: Gods of Night)

Data also made the quote to La Forge while reminiscing about Lore. La Forge recounted the conversation to Jake Sisko in 2423. (STO novel: The Needs of the Many)

Other quotes[]

  • "Sail forth-steer for the deep waters only. Reckless O soul, exploring, I with thee, and thou with me, For we are bound where mariner has not yet dared to go, And we will risk the ship, ourselves, and all." — Placard in Starbase 1 officer's lounge (TOS novel: Best Destiny)

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