Black Elk Quotes

A collection of quotes by Black Elk.

Black Elk (1863-1950), born as Nicholas Black Elk, was a prominent Oglala Lakota holy man, spiritual leader, and healer. He played a significant role in preserving and promoting Lakota culture and spirituality during a time of immense change and upheaval for Native Americans.

Black Elk was born in present-day Wyoming and grew up in a traditional Lakota community on the Great Plains. From a young age, he displayed a deep connection to the spiritual realm and was chosen to be a medicine man. He participated in various battles and witnessed the tragic events of the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876, which marked a turning point in the struggle between Native Americans and the United States government.

In the 1880s, Black Elk embraced Christianity and became a Catholic catechist. However, he continued to maintain a strong connection to his Lakota spirituality, blending elements of both traditions in his teachings. He gained fame for his visionary insights and prophecies, which he shared with others to promote understanding and healing.

Black Elk's profound spiritual experiences and teachings were recorded and later published in the book "Black Elk Speaks," which brought him recognition as a revered spiritual leader. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation, spiritual interconnectedness, and the continued struggle for indigenous rights.

I think I have told you, but if I have not, you must have un

I think I have told you, but if I have not, you must have understood, that a man who has a vision is not able to use the power of it until after he has performed the vision on earth for the people to see.

And when I breathed, my breath was lightning.

And when I breathed, my breath was lightning.

Inspirational Breath Lightning

I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but

I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but I had not the strength to do it.

Strength

I know now what this meant, that the bison were the gift of

I know now what this meant, that the bison were the gift of a good spirit and were our strength, but we should lose them, and from the same good spirit we must find another strength.

Strength

Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.

Sometimes dreams are wiser than waking.

Dreams

Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts

Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss.

Great

And if the great fear had not come upon me, as it did, and f

And if the great fear had not come upon me, as it did, and forced me to do my duty, I might have been less good to the people than some man who had never dreamed at all, even with the memory of so great a vision in me.

Fear

The boys of my people began very young to learn the ways of

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.

Time

Also, as I lay there thinking of my vision, I could see it a

Also, as I lay there thinking of my vision, I could see it all again and feel the meaning with a part of me like a strange power glowing in my body but when the part of me that talks would try to make words for the meaning, it would be like fog and get away from me.

Power

Now suddenly there was nothing but a world of cloud, and we

Now suddenly there was nothing but a world of cloud, and we three were there alone in the middle of a great white plain with snowy hills and mountains staring at us and it was very still but there were whispers.

Alone

There can never be peace between nations until there is firs

There can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men.

Men

I cured with the power that came through me.

I cured with the power that came through me.

Power

You see, I had been riding with the storm clouds, and had co

You see, I had been riding with the storm clouds, and had come to earth as rain, and it was drought that I had killed with the power that the Six Grandfathers gave me.

Power

To use the power of the bison, I had to perform that part of

To use the power of the bison, I had to perform that part of my vision for the people to see.

Power