The song and the drumming were like this: Behold, a sacred voice is calling you; All over the sky a sacred voice is calling.
BLACK ELKGrown men may learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss.
More Black Elk Quotes
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For instance, the coyote is sly, so is the Indian. The eagle is the same. That is why the Indian is always feathered up, he is a relative to the wings of the air.
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I looked below and saw my people there, and all were well and happy except one, and he was lying like the dead – and that one was myself.
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If I thought that I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no power could come through. Then everything I could do would be foolish.
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It is hard to follow one great vision in this world of darkness and of many changing shadows. Among those men get lost.
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I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but I had not the strength to do it.
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Perhaps you have noticed that even in the very lightest breeze you can hear the voice of the cottonwood tree; this we understand is its prayer to the Great Spirit, for not only men, but all things and all beings pray to Him continually in differing ways.
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He who is well prepared is he who knows that he is nothing compared with Wakan-Tanka, who is everything; then he knows that world which is real.
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It is not enough to have a vision. In order to have its power, you must enact your vision on earth for all to see. Only then do you have the power.
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So I took the bright red stick and at the center of the nation’s hoop I thrust it in the earth.
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If I thought that I was doing it myself, the hole would close up and no power could come through. Then everything I could do would be foolish.
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Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations.
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The life of a person is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
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There can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men.
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All over the sky a sacred voice is calling your name.
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The Universe is circles within circles, and everything is one circle, and all the circles are connected to each other.
BLACK ELK







