I am not a child, I think for myself. No man can think for me.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes individuality and the importance of independent thought.
Chief Joseph's quote reflects the value of self-awareness and independence in one's thoughts and decisions. It asserts that each individual has the capacity and responsibility to think for themselves, free from the influence of others. This stance encourages personal growth and critical thinking, reminding us that the power of our mind and choices lies within ourselves. It is a call to embrace our autonomy and to be active participants in our own lives.
In practice
In a speech about personal development, you might say, 'As Chief Joseph wisely noted, I am not a child, I think for myself.'
We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that. We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth, but we never quarrel about the Great Spirit. We do not want to learn that.
Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself β and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.
We notice that the mind is a restless bird; the more it gets the more it wants, and still remains unsatisfied. The more we indulge our passions the more unbridled they become. Our ancestors, therefore, set a limit to our indulgences. They saw that happiness was largely a mental condition. A man is not necessarily happy because he is rich, or unhappy because he is poor.... Millions will always remain poor.
I don't care if someone is new to acting or experienced in acting: you always learn something from them. It's just like people in life - whether they're young or middle-aged or old, you always learn something from someone.
It's hard to practice compassion when we're struggling with our authenticity or when our own worthiness is off-balance.
Ignorance is a virus. Once it starts spreading it can only be cured by reason. For the sake of humanity, we must be that cure.
I'd rather do a part because I want to, not because great things are expected of me.
Long years must pass before the truths we have made for ourselves become our very flesh.
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