I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but I had not the strength to do it. – Black Elk
After the horse dance was over, it seemed that I was above the ground and did not touch it when I walked. – Black Elk
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. – Black Elk
And I say the sacred hoop of my people was one of the many hoops that made one circle, wide as daylight and as starlight, and in the center grew one mighty flowering tree to shelter all the children of one mother and one father. – Black Elk
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. – Black Elk
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. – Black Elk
Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. – Black Elk
You remember that my great vision came to me when I was only nine years old, and you have seen that I was not much good for anything until after I had performed the horse dance near the mouth of the Tongue River during my eighteenth summer. – Black Elk
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. – Black Elk
But I think I have done right to save the vision in this way, even though I may die sooner because I did it; for I know the meaning of the vision is wise and beautiful and good; and you can see that I am only a pitiful old man after all. – Black Elk
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. – Black Elk
There can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which is within the souls of men. – Black Elk
