And I saw that the sacred hoop of my people as one of many hoops that made one circle.
BLACK ELKThe hawk swoops down on its prey, so does the Indian. In his lament he is like an animal.
More Black Elk Quotes
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The power of a thing or an act is in the meaning and the understanding.
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The visions and ceremonies only made me like a whole through which the power could come to the two-leggeds.
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And as he spoke of understanding, I looked up and saw the rainbow leap with flames of many colors over me.
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Know the Power that is Peace.
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A good nation I will make live.This the nation above has said.They have given me the power to make over.
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But if the Vision was true and mighty, as I know, it is true and mighty yet;for such things are of Spirit, and it is in the darkness of their eyes that men get lost.
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But I think I have done right to save the vision in this way, even though I may die sooner because I did it; for I know the meaning of the vision is wise and beautiful and good; and you can see that I am only a pitiful old man after all.
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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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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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Behold this day. It is yours to make.
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Hear me, four quarters of the world-a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds.
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Everywhere is the center of the world. Everything is sacred.
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Crazy Horse dreamed and went into the world where there is nothing but the spirits of things. That is the real world that is behind this one, and everything we see here is something like a shadow from that world….
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Grown 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.
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The boys of my people began very young to learn the ways of men, and no one taught us; we just learned by doing what we saw, and we were warriors at a time when boys now are like girls.
BLACK ELK