I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
Sitting BullRead
For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right to take another life. The warrior, for us, is one who sacrifices himself for the good of others. His task is to take care of the elderly, the defenseless, those who can not provide for themselves, and above all, the children, the future of humanity.
Interpretation
True warriors are those who selflessly care for others rather than those who engage in violence.
Sitting Bull's quote redefines the concept of a warrior, emphasizing that it is not about fighting or taking lives, but rather about serving and protecting those who cannot protect themselves. The true essence of a warrior lies in selflessness, compassion, and the willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of others, especially the vulnerable members of society such as the elderly and children, who represent the future of humanity.
In practice
In a speech about community service, one might use this quote to inspire others to help those in need.
I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.
Is it wrong for me to love my own? Is it wicked for me because my skin is red? Because I am Sioux? Because I was born where my father lived? Because I would die for my people and my country?
When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to battle. Where are the warriors today? Who slew them? Where are our lands? Who owns them?
Therefore, I do not wish to consider any proposition to cede any portion of our tribal holdings to the Great Father.
I wish it to be remembered that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle.
At Waco, was there really an urgency to get those people out of the compound at that particular time? Was the press going to make it look heroic for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms? At Ruby Ridge, there was one guy in a cabin at the top of the mountain. Was it necessary for federal agents to go up there and shoot a 14-year-old in the back and shoot a woman with a child in her arms? What kind of mentality does that?
Never forget that the most political thing you can ever do is follow your heart.
I'm not fearful for myself, because I've seen adversity, and I can see it again. But I feel very upset and anguished when I see images of young lawyers beaten up.
Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work still remains, but I will see the end of child labor in my lifetime.
The worst possible thing ... was to lie dead in the water with any problem. Solve it, solve it quickly ... If you solved it wrong, it would come back and slap you in the face, and then you could solve it right.
A real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.