Cherokee Quotes and Sayings for Native American

In This Article
FAQ Native American Proverbs
  • A good man is a warrior in mind and spirit.
  • The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
  • Listen to the whispers of your ancestors.
  • The greatest gift you can give someone is your time and attention.
  • The earth is our mother; we must take care of her.
  • It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.
  • Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins.
  • We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
  • Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
  • Everything in the universe has a purpose. It is our job to find ours.
  • The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
  • A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
  • There is a road in the hearts of all of us, hidden and seldom traveled, which leads to an unknown, secret place.
  • Do not allow yesterday to take up too much of today.
  • Honor the sacred.
  • One does not sell the land people walk on.
  • The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
  • Walk lightly in the spring; Mother Earth is pregnant.
  • Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me, and I will learn.
  • To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
  • You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.
  • The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
  • Live your life as though your every act were to become a universal law.

Famous Cherokee Quotes 

  • Wisdom is not in words; wisdom is in deeds.
  • In a world filled with chaos and confusion, find peace in the silence.
  • The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.
  • 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.
  • He who would do great things should not attempt them all alone.
  • Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
  • We are not separate from the earth; we are a part of it.
  • It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?
  • Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.
  • The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.
  • The world is a mirror; what you see is what you get.
  • A people without history is like wind on the buffalo grass.
  • We are all children of Mother Earth.
  • The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.
  • Be thankful for the smallest blessing, and you will receive greater things.
  • It is better to be silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
  • The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.
  • Our ancestors are like the stars that shine in the night sky; they guide us in the darkness.
  • The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people.
  • When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.
  • The greatest gift you can give yourself is to find your purpose in life.
  • The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience, but how he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Saying for Native American

  • The greatest wisdom comes from experiencing life fully.
  • The earth is not a gift from our ancestors, it is a loan from our children.
  • In the end, only kindness matters.
  • The true test of character is not how much we know, but how we put that knowledge into action.
  • The road to success is always under construction.
  • The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
  • The mind is everything. What you think you become.
  • Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
  • The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
  • The best way to predict your future is to create it.
  • Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
  • Life is a journey, not a destination.
  • It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
  • The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
  • In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.
  • Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
  • The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
  • It does not matter how tall you are, but how well you stand tall.
  • The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
  • Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.
  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Cherokee Proverbs

  • You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
  • The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
  • You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
  • It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.
  • In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
  • Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
  • Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
  • Change your thoughts and you change your world.
  • The only way to do good work is to love what you do.
  • If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.
  • The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
  • The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
  • It always seems impossible until it’s done.
  • A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.
  • The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles.
  • You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.
  • Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You got this.
  • A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

Best Cherokee Sayings

  • The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
  • Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.
  • Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
  • Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.
  • We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
  • The only source of knowledge is experience.
  • I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
  • The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.
  • You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
  • The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.
  • If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.
  • The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
  • The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
  • We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
  • The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.
  • Wisdom is not in words; wisdom is in deeds.

FAQ Native American Proverbs

What is a significant aspect of the Cherokee Indian culture that continues to inspire both the tribe and the nation at large?

“The Cherokee people’s resilience and adherence to their traditional way of life, language, and beliefs have made a profound impact, inspiring both their tribe and the nation.”

How do the Cherokee people, as part of the Native Americans, view the concept of adversity and survival in their historical context?

“The Cherokee Nation remembers the Trail of Tears as a testament to survival and resilience in the face of extreme adversity, maintaining that ‘the fight is going on inside,’ but strength and pride emerge through challenges.”

What is one of the critical moral teachings rooted in Cherokee culture that they believe governs human behavior?

“The old Cherokee teaching of the two wolves, representing the internal conflict between empathy and anger, compassion and resentment, highlights the tribe’s belief in the importance of humility and self-awareness.”

How do the Cherokees individually and collectively maintain their identity and pride in the modern American context?

“Individually and collectively, Cherokees maintain pride in their heritage through the preservation of the Cherokee language, traditional dance, and the retelling of their history, particularly the adversity faced during the Trail of Tears.”

What message does the Cherokee Nation wish to impart to Americans and the world about their history and culture?

“Through the terrible fight for survival and resilience during events like the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee Nation wants to impart a message of strength in unity, the importance of preserving culture, and the power of empathy over greed and false pride.”

How does the concept of balance play a role in the beliefs and practices of the Cherokee people?

“In Cherokee culture, balance is central; it’s believed that success and joy in life come from maintaining harmony between the forces of nature and humanity, as guided by the Great Spirit.”

How have the historical experiences of the Cherokee tribe, such as the Trail of Tears, shaped their identity and approach to life?

“The Trail of Tears has instilled an enduring sense of resilience, a commitment to the community, and a deep belief in the power of solidarity among the Cherokee people in the face of sorrow and loss.”

What are some common misconceptions that individuals might have about being part Cherokee or claiming Cherokee heritage?

“Some individuals romantically or falsely claim they’re part Cherokee without understanding the deep cultural heritage, the struggle the tribe has endured, or the commitment to preserving their way of life, which diminishes the tribe’s true identity.”

In what ways are the Cherokee people working to preserve their language and culture for future generations?

“The Cherokee people are actively working to preserve their language and culture through educational programs, cultural immersion schools, and the promotion of traditional practices and beliefs within their communities.”

How does the story of the two wolves within, a well-known Cherokee parable, continue to be relevant in today’s society?

“The story of the two wolves highlights the eternal fight between negative forces (anger, greed, and sorrow) and positive ones (empathy, compassion, and joy), teaching that the wolf you feed ultimately defines your character, a lesson relevant to all cultures and times.”

How do the narratives of “the proud Indian” and “the inferiority complex” coexist in the contemporary understanding of American Indian identity?

“The ‘proud Indian’ narrative emphasizes the resilience, rich cultural heritage, and enduring legacy of Native people, while ‘the inferiority complex’ often stems from historical trauma and systemic issues. Both narratives coexist, highlighting the complexity of American Indian identity and the ongoing journey to reconcile past and present.”

In the famous quote, “I am a red man. If the Great Spirit had desired me to be a white man he would have made me so in the first place,” what critical aspect of American Indian identity is being conveyed?

“This statement resists the notion of inferiority and emphasizes a deep-rooted pride in being Native. It underscores the belief in an intrinsic connection to the Great Spirit’s design, asserting that being an American Indian is not merely a matter of heritage but a deliberate and divine creation.”

Why is it essential for younger generations of American Indians to explore their history and culture, given the statement, “we’re not relics of the past, but active participants in the present”?

“Exploring their history and culture empowers young American Indians to understand they’re integral to their community’s ongoing story. It counters any feelings of inferiority by instilling pride in their heritage and reinforcing their active role in shaping the future, not just as inheritors of tradition but as modern individuals with a rich cultural background.”

How does the phrase “a proud Indian does not die, we multiply” capture an essential aspect of the spirit and resilience of native people?

“This phrase defiantly rebukes the idea of cultural or physical extinction. It’s a bold declaration that despite past attempts to diminish or erase American Indian cultures, they do not succumb to inferiority or extinction but instead grow stronger and more numerous, underscoring an unyielding pride and resilience.”

What are some initiatives that American Indians are undertaking to combat feelings of inferiority and strengthen communal pride?

“Initiatives include educational programs that emphasize accurate cultural history, language revitalization projects, social campaigns that challenge stereotypes, and community activities that celebrate traditional practices and rites. These efforts foster pride, dispel notions of inferiority, and encourage American Indians to explore and embrace their rich heritage.”

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