contain multitudes
Hold many selves
To contain multitudes is to hold contradictory qualities, beliefs, or identities within oneself without requiring reconciliation.
The phrase comes from Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself": "Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes)." Now used to acknowledge or celebrate complexity in people, ideas, or things: She's a vegan who wears vintage fur—she contains multitudes.
- Song of MyselfExtended lyric celebrating individual identity
- vastnessState of being immense
- wholenessComplete, undivided state
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
- dualityTwofold nature
Walt Whitman · Whitman · large enough · polyphony · shadow self · self-awareness · heterogeneity · paradox · coexistence · pluralism · identity · juxtaposition · boundless · capaciousness · diversity · introspection · complexity · human condition
contain multitudesone-dimensional
Without depth or complexity
simple · uncomplicated · monolithic · straightforward · shallow
contain multitudesself-consistent
Free from internal contradiction
coherent · of one mind · unwavering · steadfast · doctrinaire
contain multitudesnarrow
Of small width
limited · small-minded · provincial · parochial · confined
contain, container, contained, contains, containers, containing, containment, multitudes, containable