My father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother, and on her bosom I will recline.
TECUMSEHMy father! The sun is my father, and the earth is my mother, and on her bosom I will recline.
TECUMSEHShow respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
TECUMSEHLet us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.
TECUMSEHBrothers, we must be united; we must smoke the same pipe; we must fight each other’s battles; and more than all, we must love the Great Spirit.
TECUMSEHPrepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
TECUMSEHTrouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
TECUMSEHA single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.
TECUMSEHThe Great Spirit made all things. He gave the white people a home beyond the great waters. He supplied these grounds with game, and gave them to his red children; and he gave them strength and courage to defend them.
TECUMSEHWhen your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
TECUMSEHWhen you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength.
TECUMSEHThe Great Spirit is angry with all men that tell lies.
TECUMSEHBrothers, the white people are like poisonous serpents: when chilled they are feeble and harmless, but invigorate them with warmth and they sting their benefactors to death.
TECUMSEHThe way, and the only way, to stop this evil is for all the red men to unite in claiming a common and equal right in the land, as it was at first, and should be yet; for it was never divided, but belongs to all for the use of each.
TECUMSEHLove your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.
TECUMSEHLive your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
TECUMSEHWe gave them forest-clad mountains and valleys full of game, and in return what did they give our warriors and our women? Rum, trinkets, and a grave.
TECUMSEH