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Back in the day, people had meaningful lives where they had a connection with nature, the universe, and people around. Native Americans had timeless, yet profound wisdom with which they lived.
While there wasn’t a system of writing within the Native American culture, their wisdom was passed on through the years by word of mouth. The same applies to the words of Buddha that were passed on to future generations.
However, you can now find Native American proverbs that are available for people to experience. You’ll be glad to know that you can learn from their wisdom.
Here are some insights and the wisdom behind each proverb.
Native American Proverbs for Daily Life
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History of the Native Americans Wisdom
The Native Americans proverbs are foundational to the nature of living a pure life. Although some sayings may be common sense, each one has a deep meaning that can be passed on to future generations.
In the old days, the wise had a connection to the cosmos, the earth, and everything in between. Embracing these teachings can lead you to heal. Most Native American sayings focus on:
- Humility
- Selflessness and service
- Respect for nature
- Patience
- Gratitude
- Respect for elders
The Best Native American Proverbs
Below are some Native American proverbs that will change your life
When in doubt, be still and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still till the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists, it surely will. Then act with courage.
Chief White Eagle(1800’s)
Often, we don’t know the action to take as we have clouds existing within our mind. Working at these moments can lead to trouble. You need to have the clarity to avoid being subject to the winds of chance.
Taking time to cultivate and maintain clarity will lead to happiness and peace. Once you have that mental clarity, it’s time to take the chance knowing that you are right. Don’t forget to act with courage.
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.
Chief Seattle(1854)
The saying borrows heavily from the Hindu and Buddhist wisdom that dictates that all things have a connection. We need to understand the interconnection and interdependent nature to know how everything blends.
While it’s impossible to understand the connection, the Native Americans boiled it down to what we do to others; we do to ourselves. The concept doesn’t only apply to your actions towards another person, but also the feelings and thoughts we express to others.
Many times, we fall for things appealing to our wallet or eyes, but these items do not provide any fulfillment. However, you need to find specific things that your heart seeks. It’s critical to trust your intuition and heart when deciding on which path of life to take.
Our first teacher is our heart.
Cheyenne
You’ve previously heard about the significance of trusting your heart rather than your mind. However, we often go with our mind as it’s a beneficial tool of justice, reason, and logic. Remember that our hearts have a connection to our soul.
It’s in your heart that you find love, intuition, and compassion. You need to trust your heart to guide you to the right path.
When you were born, the world rejoiced as you cried. Live your life so that when you die, you rejoice as the world cries
Cherokee
You should aim to live a life full of meaning, compassion, and love. The Native American proverb reminds us that we should focus on touching the minds and hearts of those that we meet. It’s through the various stages of life that we grow and leave the world a better place.
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.
Hopi
Although the modern world finds crying a sign of weakness, the Natives found crying therapeutic. They had a belief that crying would provide healing for the mind, body, and soul. The Hopi tribe considered tears a sign of strength to express how you feel.
Like the grasses showing tender faces to each other, this we should do. For this was the wish of the grandfathers of the world.
Black Elk
The simple saying by Black Elk shows the importance of showing kindness to others. Anything on the contrary only complicates things.
Looking behind I’m filled with gratitude. Looking forward I’m filled with vision. Looking upwards, I’m filled with strength. Looking within I discover peace
Qero Indians
Often we get depressed thinking about the future. Also, you may find yourself confused looking inwards, or depressed when thinking about the past. With the modern world advocating for busy lifestyles, the result is a complicated life.
It would be profound to view every day as a blessing when you wake up healthy and alive.
The tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us as we live
Norman Cousins
Certain things may hold you back from living to your fullest potential. You need to find something that lights your inner fire and motivates you to do better every day. The Native Americans thought everybody should follow their passions as this helps to live life to the fullest.
What’s life? It’s the flash of a firefly in the night; it’s the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime, it’s the little shadow that runs across the grass, and loses itself in the sunset.
Blackfoot
You’ll realize that the simplest moments define the most significant parts of our lives. Those precious moments are what makes life memorable, beautiful, and valuable. With time, having things in sync carry you from one level to the next, which makes life meaningful.
All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us, and if we listen, we can hear them.
Arapaho
The Shamans had the wisdom to learn the connection between plants and the spirit. Taking time to be silent means that you can listen to the plants, trees, and the foods you consume. Looking to nature allows you to understand the connection and get inspiration without daily lives.
Therefore, the next time you eat a fresh salad or drink some tea, remember to express your gratitude to nature. You need to then listen to your heart to get the inspiration.
Only when the last tree has died, and the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.
Cree Proverb
Mankind’s thirst is unquenchable. We all keep craving for more, and the Cree believed that self-awareness and balances could help reduce our cravings. With this, you can move on with nature harmoniously as the Cree did.
Wakan Tanka, Great Mystery, teach me how to trust my heart, mind, intuition, and inner knowing. The senses of my body and the blessings of my spirit. Teach me to trust these things so that I may enter my sacred space and love beyond my fear. Thus, walk in balance with the passing of each glorious sun.
Lakota Prayer
The Native Americans regarded the holy space as what was between the in-breath and out-breath. They held deep beliefs about the significance of meditation. Space signifies spiritual guidance, that’s why the natives think if it as a holy space.
Walk in balance is to have physicality and spirituality in harmony. The Lakota prayer signifies that heaven and earth are not separate. Although physically they may feel separate, with meditation, you’ll realize they are similar, and therefore, the balance between the two translates into balance within our lives.
And while I stood there, I saw more than I can tell, and I understood more than I saw. For I saw in a holy manner the shapes of things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being.
Black Elk
The Native American culture had a sense of oneness. Black Elk speaks with profound wisdom which displays a deep insight into our existence. While this feeling is subtle, it’s essential to realize the truth of existence on a meaningful level.
As the body requires various parts for it to function, in the same way, are we connected and should live in a way where we have interconnection to nature while finding ways to express this in our lives.
The result is greater peace, love, compassion, and kindness.
Final Thoughts
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The indigenous people had wise sayings that had an imprint in an earthly, cosmic, and universal way. While our lives are busy and based on a routine, the Natives’ teachings emphasize respect for other people, kindness. Doing what’s right, being honest, and taking responsibility for our actions.
The native American Proverbs also focus on taking time out to reconnect with nature and remaining close to the Great Spirit. Go through the above wise proverbs and see how they apply to your daily life.
