Native American quotes provide a window into a philosophy deeply connected with nature and community.
Coming from a variety of tribes across North America, these quotes reflect centuries-old traditions and beliefs, emphasizing respect for the earth and its interconnectedness.
Leaders and elders have distilled their wisdom into these words, addressing themes like harmony with nature, community strength, and the sacredness of life. More than historical sayings, these quotes are teachings from the past, offering insights into a balanced life.
As we delve into Native American quotes, we find enduring lessons relevant to our fast-paced modern world, underscoring the importance of preserving and valuing ancient knowledge in today’s
Native American Quotes
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Native American Proverb
“Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.” — Native American Proverb
“The greatest strength is gentleness.” — Iroquois Proverb
“Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.” — Hopi Proverb
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” — Native American Proverb
“The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” — Minquass Proverb
“We are all relatives.” — Sioux Proverb
“Walk lightly in the spring; Mother Earth is pregnant.” — Kiowa Proverb
“Do not wrong or hate your neighbor, for it is not he that you wrong, you wrong yourself.” — Pima Proverb
“Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you.” — Hopi Proverb
“Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind, and spirit.” — Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), Santee Dakota
“All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.” — Arapaho Proverb
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace.” — Shenandoah, Iroquois Chief
“May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, and may hope forever wipe away your tears.” — Chief Dan George, Tsleil-Waututh Nation
“The land is sacred. These words are at the core of your being. The land is our mother, the rivers our blood. Take our land away and we die. That is, the Indian in us dies.” — Mary Brave Bird (Zintkala Nuni), Sicangu Lakota
“I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds and sheltered by the trees as other Indian babes. I was living peaceably when people began to speak bad of me. Now I can eat well, sleep well and be glad. I can go everywhere with a good feeling.” — Geronimo, Chiricahua Apache
“To us, the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground.” — Chief Seattle, Suquamish Tribe
“Regard Heaven as your father, Earth as your Mother, and all things as your Brothers and Sisters.” — Navajo Proverb
“The one who tells the stories rules the world.” — Hopi Proverb
“He who is present at a wrongdoing and does not lift a hand to prevent it, is as guilty as the wrongdoers.” — Omaha Proverb
“Do not speak of evil, for it creates curiosity in the hearts of the young.” — Lakota Proverb
“A good soldier is a poor scout.” — Cheyenne Proverb
“Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.” — Hopi Proverb
“Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.” — Native American Proverb
“Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.” — Native American Saying
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” — Navajo Proverb
“Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.” — Cheyenne Proverb
“Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.” — Mourning Dove (Christine Quintasket), Salish
“All dreams spin out from the same web.” — Hopi Proverb
“One finger cannot lift a pebble.” — Hopi Proverb
“Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.” — Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator
“A people without a history is like the wind over buffalo grass.” — Lakota Proverb
“Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river.” — Tuscarora Proverb
“A good chief gives, he does not take.” — Mohawk Proverb
“A people without vision is a people without history.” — Thomas Berger, Little Shell Chippewa
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” — Helen Keller
“You have to look deeper, way below the anger, the hurt, the hate, the jealousy, the self-pity, way down deeper where the dreams lie, son. Find your dream. It’s the pursuit of the dream that heals you.” — Billy Mills, Oglala Lakota Sioux
“To me, the wisdom of the Native American culture is very deep. You know, everything is a ceremony for us. I do that all day, whether it’s sitting down and having coffee or whether it’s going to the office.” — Russell Means, Oglala Lakota
“Peace… comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” — Black Elk, Oglala Lakota Holy Man
“The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans too.” — Luther Standing Bear, Oglala Lakota
Native American Sayings
“Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents; it was loaned to you by your children.”
“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”
“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.”
“Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.”
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”
“Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.”
“Every animal knows more than you do.”
“The greatest strength is gentleness.”
“When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.”
“A good soldier is a poor scout.”
“Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.”
“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.”
“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”
“Wisdom comes when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you.”
“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.”
“It is less of a problem to be poor than to be dishonest.”
“Walk lightly in the spring; Mother Earth is pregnant.”
“Do not wrong or hate your neighbor, for it is not they who you wrong but yourself.”
“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.”
“Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind, and spirit.”
“Those who have one foot in the canoe and one foot in the boat are going to fall into the river.”
“Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”
“He who would do great things should not attempt them all alone.”
“The heart is the house of true wisdom.”
“A brave man dies but once; a coward many times.”
“Listen or your tongue will make you deaf.”
“The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives.”
“The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.”
“Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.”
“The weakness of the enemy makes our strength.”
“It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.”
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
“Don’t be afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”
“All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.”
“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
“Do not grieve. Misfortunes will happen to the wisest and best of men. Death will come, always out of season.”
“To touch the earth is to have harmony with nature.”
“A people without history is like wind on the buffalo grass.”
“Those who live for one another learn that love is the bond of perfect unity.”
“It is not enough to know something; one must apply it. It is not enough to want something; one must act.”
Native American Quotes About Life
“The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth.” — Marlee Matlin (Deaf Native American Actress)
“Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.” — Native American Proverb
“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.” — Dakota Tribe Proverb
“Respect the elders, teach the young, cooperate with the pack.” — Lakota Proverb
“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.” — Black Elk
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir
“The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.” — Minquass Tribe Saying
“Do not wrong or hate your neighbor. For it is not he who you wrong, but yourself.” — Pima Proverb
“You already possess everything necessary to become great.” — Crow proverb
“Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existence.” — Mourning Dove
“A brave man dies but once, a coward many times.” — Mandan Saying
“To be at one with nature is to be at peace with yourself.” — Oglala Sioux
“He who tells his secret shall soon be destroyed.” — Hopi Proverb
“To touch the earth is to have harmony with nature.” — Oglala Sioux
“The ground on which we stand is sacred ground.” — Chief Plenty Coups
“Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body, mind, and spirit.” — Charles Eastman (Ohiyesa)
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” — Navajo Proverb
“Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.” — Black Elk
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Native American Proverb
“May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, and may hope forever wipe away your tears.” — Chief Dan George
“Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the boat, are going to fall into the river.” — Tuscarora Proverb
“The heart of the world is in the heart of the forest.” — Chippewa Proverb
“Do not be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.” — Hopi Proverb
“We are all one child spinning through Mother Sky.” — Shawnee proverb
“The greatest strength is gentleness.” — Iroquois Proverb
“Walk tall as the trees, live strong as the mountains, be gentle as the spring winds, keep the warmth of the summer sun in your heart.” — Native American Proverb
“The more you give, the more good things come to you.” — Arapaho Proverb
“Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.” — Crow proverb
“Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you.” — Hopi Proverb
“Respect the elders, teach the young, cooperate with the pack.” — Lakota Proverb
“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” — Cherokee Proverb
“Everything is alive, everything has a spirit and everything speaks. Only those who listen will be able to hear.” — Sioux Proverb
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” — Navajo Proverb
“You have to look deeper, way below the anger, the hurt, the hate, the jealousy, the self-pity, way down deeper where the dreams lie, son. Find your dream. It’s the pursuit of the dream that heals you.” — Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota)
“All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.” — Arapaho Proverb
“We do not walk alone. Great Being walks beside us. Know this and be grateful.” — Arapaho Proverb
“The earth does not belong to us: we belong to the earth.” — Marlee Matlin (Deaf Native American Actress)
“Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.” — Native American Proverb
“May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, and may hope forever wipe away your tears.” — Chief Dan George
“The heart of the world is in the heart of the forest.” — Chippewa Proverb
Famous Native American Quotes
“Man’s law changes with his understanding of man. Only the laws of the spirit remain always the same.” — Crow proverb
“Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you.” — Hopi Proverb
“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” — Cherokee Proverb
“Everything is alive, everything has a spirit and everything speaks. Only those who listen will be able to hear.” — Sioux Proverb
“You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.” — Navajo Proverb
“You have to look deeper, way below the anger, the hurt, the hate, the jealousy, the self-pity, way down deeper where the dreams lie, son. Find your dream. It’s the pursuit of the dream that heals you.” — Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota)
“All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.” — Arapaho Proverb
“We do not walk alone. Great Being walks beside us. Know this and be grateful.” — Arapaho Proverb
“The earth does not belong to us: we belong to the earth.” — Marlee Matlin (Deaf Native American Actress)
“Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.” — Native American Proverb
“May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty, and may hope forever wipe away your tears.” — Chief Dan George
“The heart of the world is in the heart of the forest.” — Chippewa Proverb
“We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love… and then we return home.” — Aboriginal Proverb
“It is no longer good enough to cry peace, we must act peace, live peace, and live in peace.” — Shenandoah proverb
“The ground on which we stand is sacred ground.” — Chief Plenty Coups
“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” — Tecumseh (Shawnee Chief)
“All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons and daughters of the Earth.” — Chief Seattle
“You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight to our hearts.” — Cochise (Chiricahua Apache)
“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” — Iroquois Confederacy Maxim
“The old Lakota was wise. He knew that man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to a lack of respect for humans too.” — Luther Standing Bear
“It does not require many words to speak the truth.” — Chief Joseph (Nez Perce)
“I have seen that in any great undertaking, it is not enough for a man to depend simply upon himself.” — Lone Man (Isna-la-wica), Teton Sioux
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.” — Ancient Indian Proverb
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Native American Proverb
“Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people.” — Chief Seattle
“We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren, and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can’t speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish, and trees.” — Qwatsinas (Hereditary Chief Edward Moody), Nuxalk Nation
“It is not only the timber industry that is causing the forests to disappear. It is also the demand of the cities.” — Carole LaFavor, Winnebago Tribe
“We need to promote development that does not destroy our environment.” — Peter MacDonald, Navajo Code Talker
“We must all become caretakers of the earth.” — Dennis Banks, American Indian Movement Leader
“We must protect the forests for the children of the future, for their children and their children.” — Haida Gwaii, Traditional Circle of Elders
“When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.” — Cree Prophecy
“The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us.” — Big Thunder (Bedagi), Wabanaki Algonquin
“I was warmed by the sun, rocked by the winds, and sheltered by the trees as other Indian babes. I was living peaceably when people began to speak bad of me. Now I can eat well, sleep well, and be glad. I can go everywhere with a good feeling.” — Geronimo
“We were taught generosity to the poor and reverence for the Great Mystery. Religion was the basis of all Indian training.” — Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa), Santee Dakota
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