Quotes from Black Elk

I was four years old then, and I think it must have been the next summer that I first heard the voices.

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.

One should pay attention to even the smallest crawling creature for these too may have a valuable lesson to teach us.

At the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit. And that center is really everywhere. It is within each of us.

Peace will come to the hearts of men when they realize their oneness with the universe, It is every where.

Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles.

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.

Everything the Power of the World does is done in a circle.

Know the Power that is Peace.

The Great Spirit is everywhere; He hears whatever is in our minds and our hearts, and it is not necessary to speak to Him in a loud voice.

Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice.

After the horse dance was over, it seemed that I was above the ground and did not touch it when I walked.

The soldiers did go away and their towns were torn down; and in the Moon of Falling Leaves (November), they made a treaty with Red Cloud that said our country would be ours as long as grass should grow and water flow.

When I got back to my father and mother and was sitting up there in our tepee, my face was still all puffed and my legs and arms were badly swollen; but I felt good all over and wanted to get right up and run around.

The power of a thing or an act is in the meaning and the understanding.

The power of the world always works in circles.

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.

Let every step you take upon the earth be as a prayer.

As you walk upon the sacred earth, treat each step as a prayer.

Birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.

Behold this day. It is yours to make.

All over the sky a sacred voice is calling your name.

The Holy Land is everywhere.

I looked about me once again, and suddenly the dancing horses without number changed into animals of every kind and into all the fowls that are, and these fled back to the four quarters of the world from whence the horses came, and vanished.