< Page:Leaves of Grass (1860).djvu
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Leaves of Grass.
18. Great is Law—great are the old few landmarks of the law,
- They are the same in all times, and shall not be disturbed.
19. Great are commerce, newspapers, books, free-trade, railroads, steamers, international mails, telegraphs, exchanges.
20. Great is Justice!
- Justice is not settled by legislators and laws—it is in the Soul,
- It cannot be varied by statutes, any more than love, pride, the attraction of gravity, can,
- It is immutable—it does not depend on majorities—majorities or what not come at last before the same passionless and exact tribunal.
21. For justice are the grand natural lawyers and perfect judges—it is in their Souls,
- It is well assorted—they have not studied for nothing—the great includes the less,
- They rule on the highest grounds—they oversee all eras, states, administrations.
22. The perfect judge fears nothing—he could go front to front before God,
- Before the perfect judge all shall stand back—life and death shall stand back—heaven and hell shall stand back.
23. Great is Goodness!
- I do not know what it is, any more than I know what health is—but I know it is great.
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