Top 70 Amerindian Proverbs (and what they mean)

American Indians are one of the native nations that has the most contact with nature, since they firmly believe and feel that the earth and the sky are our parents and therefore we must honor them with love, respect and dedication. Since its origins, its spirituality has been a fundamental part of its way of life, being a harmonious whole, instead of being separated between the earthly world and its religion.

• We recommend you read: "The 60 best Mayan Proverbs (and what they mean)"

Best Native American Proverbs

Next you will know the greatest and most beautiful proverbs of American Indians and their meaning behind them.

1. Before judging someone, he walks 3 moons with his moccasins. (Sioux proverb)

We cannot judge someone without knowing their story.

2. Be tolerant of those who have lost their way. Pray that they find their guidance.

There are people who need a helping hand to find their way again.

3. Certain things can capture your gaze, but only follow those that can capture your heart. (Sioux proverb)

There are things that dazzle us, but the most important are those that make us feel good.

4. Being poor is a smaller problem than being dishonest. (Anishinabe proverb)

When someone is untrustworthy, you can never find a helping hand when you need it.

5. The soul would not have a rainbow if the eye did not have tears.

You have to go through difficult times to appreciate the wonderful ones.

6. May my enemies be powerful, so that I don't feel bad when I defeat them. (Sioux proverb)

You should not be intimidated by the abilities of others, but take it as inspiration to improve.

7. We move forward and become what we think about. (Donm Coyhis, Mohican)

That is why it is important that we always think of the best, to become excellent people.

8. When the last tree is cut down, the last river poisoned, the last fish caught, only then will people realize that money cannot be eaten. (Sitting bull)

A tough reflection on the damage we do to the world just out of ambition.

9. Find yourself on your own. It is your path. No one can make your way for you.

The only way to find our destiny is to do it on our own.

10. You cannot buy friendship, you have to do your part to have it. (Sauk proverb)

Friends are that family that we choose to have, therefore they deserve our devotion and love.

11. Our first teacher is our own heart. (Cheyenne proverb)

A beautiful phrase about listening to our instincts when necessary.

12. Think what you want to think, but don't forget that you have to live with your own thoughts every day. (Dakota proverb)

An important lesson that should make us reflect on mental care.

13. Everything on Earth has a meaning, each herb cures a disease and each person has a mission. (Mourning Dove, Syilx)

Nature is always wise and each of us has a place in the world that he must find.

14. When the blood in your veins returns to the sea, and the dust from your bones returns to the ground, you may remember that this land does not belong to you, but you belong to this land. (Sioux proverb)

We tend to think that we have rights over nature, when in reality we must be at peace with it in order to live on her lands.

15. Treat your guests with great consideration. Give them the best bed, the best food and much respect for his honor.

When we are nice to someone, we win a future friend.

16. Clear skies and fertile green land are good; but peace between men is better. (Omaha proverb)

Why live in conflict if with kindness we can all live in peace?

17. If we ask ourselves often, the gift of knowledge will come to us. (Arapaho proverb)

It is important to take a moment of rest to clear our minds and not succumb to pressure.

18. We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we only borrow it from our children.

We must remember that taking care of the planet is necessary if we want a place to live in the future.

19. You cannot wake a person pretending to be asleep. (Navajo saying)

If someone does not want to face his problems, there is no human power that can help him.

20. On the day of your birth, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that on the day of your death, the world cries and you rejoice. (Cherokee proverb)

A saying that encourages us to live our lives with happiness.

21. Do not take what is not yours, be it from a person, a community or nature. It has not been given to you if you have earned it, it is not yours.

When you take something by force, you are not a winner. You are a sucker.

22. All animals know more than you. (Proverb nez percé)

This is because animals coexist with nature and, therefore, the American Indians had great respect for it.

23. Wisdom comes only when you stop seeking it and start living the life that the Creator intended for you. (Hopi proverb)

Constant worry brings us more harm than good.

24. Before eating, always take the time to thank the food. (Arapaho proverb)

Each meal is a special treat that must be appreciated.

25. When in doubt, stand still and wait. When the doubt dissipates, walk forward boldly. (Chief White Eagle, Pomcas of Wichita)

It is better to wait and take our time to act rashly and have negative results.

26. The brave die once, the coward many.

Cowards always find excuses not to act and cling to others like parasites.

27. Honor the thoughts, wishes and words of all people, allow them their personal expression, without ever making fun of yourself.

Respecting the opinions of others is the first step to living in peace.

28. When the fox walks lame, the old rabbit jumps. (Amerindian proverb)

The first moment someone is careless, someone else can take advantage of the situation to do their thing.

29. Life is not separate from death. It just looks that way. (Blackfoot proverb)

Death is only an essential part of life, from which we cannot escape.

30. Everything on earth has a purpose, each herb can cure a disease, each person has a mission to fulfill. This is the Indian concept of existence. (Amerindian proverb)

Every element that exists in the world has a purpose to fulfill.

31. Force, no matter how hidden, always begets resistance. (Lakota saying)

Never let your strength fade, as it is what can help you move forward.

32. Listen to the wind... that inspires. Listen to the silence... that speaks. Listen to the heart... who knows.

We should only listen, even to ourselves from time to time.

33. All people can make mistakes. Those that are mistakes can all be forgiven.

Every mistake can be corrected as it is done without malicious intent.

34. Walk as tall as the trees. (Amerindian proverb)

Always have high goals to meet.

35. Beware of the man who does not speak and the dog that does not bark. (Cheyenne proverb)

Quieter people can have a troubled soul.

36. Avoid hurting people's hearts, the poison of the pain you cause to others will return to you. You must be sincere and true in all your actions. Honesty is the great inheritance that we will leave to the universe. (Sioux proverb)

You get what you give, so if you are evil evil will come back to you.

37. Don't go behind me, maybe I don't know how to lead. Don't go ahead, maybe I don't want to follow you. Come to my side so we can walk together. (Yuta saying)

A great saying that tells us about the danger of being dependent, because we can cling to people who do not benefit us.

38. Nature is not for us. She is part of us. She's part of your family in the world.

Nature is not something to be stolen, it is the place we should call home.

39. The bird that has eaten cannot fly with the bird that is hungry. (Omaha proverb)

People cannot be indifferent to the situations of others.

40. A single rain does not grow a harvest. (Creole proverb)

To achieve something it is important to try many times.

41. Do not deceive yourself or hate your neighbor, because it is not him who deceives you, but yourself. (Pima proverb)

We cannot attack others just because we are hurt, they are not to blame for our suffering.

42. If you want to be strong like the bison, don't eat bison, but what he eats.

Take the example of your competitors, instead of marking them as your enemies and wanting to eliminate them.

43. Rocky terrain doesn't need a prayer, it needs a pointed ax.

There are things that need aggressive action and determination to resolve.

44. An anticipated danger is half avoided. (Cheyenne proverb)

The things that are going to happen cannot be avoided, but we can prepare ourselves for it.

45. True peace between countries will only come when there is peace in the souls of the people. (Sioux proverb)

Conflicts begin when people are unable to accept others.

46. A hungry man will eat with the wolf. (Oklahoma proverb)

People in need will take any opportunity that comes their way.

47. All dreams come from the same place. (Hopi proverb)

Dreams are part of our hearts.

48. Ask questions from your heart and you will be answered from the heart. (Omaha proverb)

A beautiful saying that should make us reflect.

49. Walk the path that leads to your friend's garden often, lest the undergrowth prevent you from seeing the path.

When you hear something bad from a friend, confront it before you punish him.

50. Better to have less thunder in your mouth and more light in your hands. (Apache saying)

Our most precious words are those that are accompanied by good deeds.

51. The true wealth consists in knowing how to do without superfluous things.

When we detach ourselves from superficial things, we can better appreciate all that we possess.

52. Be true and honest all the time.

Integrity is what allows us to cultivate many blessings.

53. Listen, or your tongue will make you deaf. (Amerindian proverb)

In order to speak, you must first listen.

54. To touch the earth is to have harmony with nature. (Sioux proverb)

Respecting the earth will allow us to enjoy the benefits of nature.

55. Live your life in such a way that the fear of death never enters your heart. Don't question anyone about their religion; respect the point of view of others, and demand your own. (Shawnee proverb)

A proverb that shows us a great way of living.

56. We will be forever remembered for the footprints we leave. (Sioux saying)

So it is you yourself who has the power to establish how he will be remembered.

57. Good ideas come from experience, experience comes from bad ideas.

Never restrict yourself to living a great experience because it is the greatest of learnings.

58. Be responsible for your own actions.

No one can take charge of your decisions, only you.

59. A spear is a great responsibility. (Navajo proverb)

Weapons can be protective but also a sentence.

60. Thoughts are like arrows: once launched, they hit their target. Keep them well or one day you could become your own victim. (Navajo proverb)

Thoughts can be our biggest limitation.

61. If a man is as wise as a snake, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove. (Cheyenne proverb)

Cunning helps us to be better people, since we know what is right, appropriate and beneficial.

62. Consider heaven as your father, earth as your mother, and all other things as your brothers and sisters. (Amerindian proverb)

Nature is our perpetual home.

63. Never lie to yourself.

Worse than lying to someone is betraying our own feelings.

64. Those who have one foot in the canoe and one foot in the boat will fall into the river. (Tuscarora proverb)

Indecisions will throw us into one abyss or another.

65. What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in winter. It is the small shadow that runs through the grass and is lost in the setting sun. (Blackfoot proverb)

A beautiful insight into life and its wonders.

66. It doesn't take many words to tell the truth. (Chief Joseph, Nez Perce)

Every simple word or fact is real if it is honestly.

67. Better a piece of bread under a tree than a banquet in a prison.

The things gained with ill-treatment always have a conscience charge.

68. If good fortune accompanies you, share it.

When we share our happiness, we can receive double the fortune.

69. Do good and fear no man. (Pima proverb)

To do good we do not need anyone's permission.

70. Each person is their own judge. (Shawnee proverb)

We all have the ability to analyze our actions and improve to succeed or to punish ourselves harshly and perish.