Native American culture is rich with wisdom, history, and deep connections to nature and spirituality.
Their proverbs are not just words but teachings passed down through generations, offering guidance for living a life of balance, respect, and harmony.
These proverbs can teach us valuable lessons on kindness, courage, and how to live in harmony with the earth and one another. If you’re searching for wisdom and perspective, you’re in the right place!
This article brings together some of the most powerful Native American proverbs to help inspire and guide you.
Wisdom from the Earth
- The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth.
- Treat the earth well. It was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children.
- We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
- The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives.
- We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
- He who would do good to another must do it in the time when the other can feel it.
- When the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money.
- The bird who has eaten cannot fly with the bird who is hungry.
- The one who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.
- The forest is a teacher; it will teach you everything you need to know.
- The earth is what we all have in common.
- A people without a history is like the wind on the buffalo grass.
- Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
- All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them.
- We are all one child spinning through Mother Sky.
Lessons on Life and Living
- Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
- Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.
- The more you know, the less you need to say.
- May the stars carry your sadness away, may the flowers fill your heart with beauty.
- Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins.
- You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.
- Those who have one foot in the canoe, and one foot in the land, are going to fall into the river.
- There is no death, only a change of worlds.
- The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
- It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.
- A person who has the right to sit in the shade should not sit in the sun.
- When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us.
- If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
- All dreams are messages from the spirit world.
- You were made for a reason, but for many reasons.
Teachings of Respect and Humility
- Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.
- The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
- We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
- Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.
- Humility is the true test of a person’s character.
- If you have one true friend, you have more than your share.
- It is not what comes from the mouth, but what comes from the heart that matters.
- You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts.
- Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.
- The greatest strength is gentleness.
- A man who has no imagination has no wings.
- The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
- It is not the length of life, but the depth.
- When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love…
- All life is sacred.
Teachings on Family and Community
- The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.
- A man’s greatest possession is his dignity.
- The family is the first school for the child, and parents are the first teachers.
- It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.
- If you want to know the value of a year, ask a student who failed the final exam.
- A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.
- We are all related, we are all connected.
- You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.
- He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.
- The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude.
- The best way to predict your future is to create it.
- There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep.
- It takes a village to raise a child.
- We are all one, connected to each other, the earth, and the universe.
- True love is not about perfection, it is about accepting each other as we are.
Wisdom of the Spirit
- The spirit of the wild is in all of us.
- A quiet mind is a clear mind.
- We are all part of a larger creation, and we must live in harmony with it.
- When you take a breath, take it as though it is your last.
- Don’t take life too seriously; you will never get out alive.
- Live your life like you are a wolf, wild and free.
- It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand.
- A peaceful heart is like a calm river.
- Listen, or your tongue will make you deaf.
- The spirit of the eagle will guide you to higher places.
- It is not the eyes that are blind, it is the heart that is blind.
- We are born with two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
- The spirit is what gives life to the body.
- The way we live our lives is how we honor the spirits.
- May the wind always be at your back, and the sun upon your face.
Lessons of Courage and Strength
- Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to face it.
- Do not be afraid of the night, for the light is always just beyond it.
- The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
- A warrior is not afraid of the enemy, but of losing his honor.
- The warrior who knows no fear is the greatest warrior.
- Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.
- A true warrior knows that he must fight with both strength and wisdom.
- It’s not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.
- Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.
- It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.
- To know something and to do nothing about it is to know nothing.
- We must learn to walk in balance with both the earth and the heavens.
- There is no greater power than a people united.
- You do not know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.
- Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
Conclusion
Native American proverbs are timeless pieces of wisdom that can guide us through the complexities of modern life.
They remind us of the importance of respect, courage, family, and the deep connections we have with each other and the earth. These proverbs carry teachings that emphasize living with balance, being mindful of our actions, and fostering harmony in all that we do.
Whether you’re seeking clarity, strength, or inspiration, these words offer profound insight that transcends generations and cultures. Embrace these teachings and let them guide you toward a life of purpose and wisdom.
