Charles Eastman Quotes & Sayings

The clan is nothing more than a larger family, with its patriarchal chief as the natural head, and the union of several clans by intermarriage and voluntary connection constitutes the tribe. — Charles Eastman

The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand. — Charles Eastman

The elements and majestic forces in nature, Lightning, Wind, Water, Fire, and Frost, were regarded with awe as spiritual powers, but always secondary and intermediate in character. — Charles Eastman

Love between a man and a woman is founded on the mating instinct and is not free from desire and self-seeking. But to have a friend and to be true under any and all trials is the mark of a man! — Charles Eastman

It has been said that the position of woman is the test of civilization, and that of our women was secure. In them was vested our standard of morals and the purity of our blood. — Charles Eastman

The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb. — Charles Eastman

Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life. — Charles Eastman

At the age of about eight years, if he is a boy, she turns him over to his father for more Spartan training. — Charles Eastman

Our people, though capable of strong and durable feeling, were not demonstrative in their affection at any time, least of all in the presence of guests or strangers. — Charles Eastman

Every act of his life is, in a very real sense, a religious act. — Charles Eastman

Friendship is held to be the severest test of character. It is easy, we think, to be loyal to a family and clan, whose blood is in your own veins. — Charles Eastman

In every religion there is an element of the supernatural, varying with the influence of pure reason over its devotees. — Charles Eastman

He sees no need for setting apart one day in seven as a holy day, since to him all days are God's. — Charles Eastman

The hospitality of the wigwam is only limited by the institution of war. — Charles Eastman

No one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we are a polite people. — Charles Eastman

The red man divided mind into two parts, - the spiritual mind and the physical mind. — Charles Eastman

That is, we believed, the supreme duty of the parent, who only was permitted to claim in some degree the priestly office and function, since it is his creative and protecting power which alone approaches the solemn function of Deity. — Charles Eastman

The family was not only the social unit, but also the unit of government. — Charles Eastman

There was no religious ceremony connected with marriage among us, while on the other hand the relation between man and woman was regarded as in itself mysterious and holy. — Charles Eastman

There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature. — Charles Eastman

The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity. — Charles Eastman

Indian names were either characteristic nicknames given in a playful spirit, deed names, birth names, or such as have a religious and symbolic meaning. — Charles Eastman

More than this, even in those white men who professed religion we found much inconsistency of conduct. They spoke much of spiritual things, while seeking only the material. — Charles Eastman

The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church. — Charles Eastman

Nearness to nature ... keeps the spirit sensitive to impressions not commonly felt and in touch with the unseen powers. — Charles Eastman

Among us all men were created sons of God and stood erect, as conscious of their divinity. — Charles Eastman