Native American proverbs are like little advicé from elders to help us understand life. These sayings teach us to be kind, respect others, and appreciate the world. Let’s look at some of these Native American proverbs and see what lessons they have for us.
Lessons About Life and Death
Life is not separate from death. It only looks that way.
— Blackfoot Proverb
What it means: Life and death are like two parts of the same story. They are connected as the day turns into night; understanding this helps us live without féar. (*Blackfoot)
“When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.”
— Cherokee Proverb
What it means: When you were born, everyone was happy. This proverb tells us to live so that when we die, people will be sad to see us go, but we will feel happy because we lived a good life.
They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.
— Tuscarora Proverb
What it means: Even after someone passes away, they live on in the mémories and love we keep for them in our hearts.
Also Read: 25 Timeless Amish Proverbs: Life Lessons and Humor from the Amish Community
Lessons About Wisdom and Knowledge
Seek wisdom, not knowledge. Knowledge is of the past, wisdom is of the future.
— Lumbee Proverb
What it means: Knowing many things is good, but wisdom—knowing how to use what you know—is even better because it helps you make good decisions in the future.
“The one who tells the stories rules the world.”
— Hopi Proverb
What it means: Stories are powerful. The person who tells stories can teach others and shape how people think about the world.
If we wonder often, the gift of knowledge will come.
— Arapaho Proverb
What it means: If you keep asking questions and staying curious, you’ll constantly learn new things.
Lessons About Community and Relationships
One finger cannot lift a pebble.
— Hopi Proverb
What it means: Just like you need more than one finger to pick up a small stone, you need other people to help you with big tasks. Working together makes things easier.
“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.””
— Dakota Proverb
What it means: The things we do leave marks behind, like footprints in the sand. People will remember us by the good or bad things we do, so doing good things is essential.
A people without a history is like the wind over buffalo grass.
— Sioux Proverb
What it means: If we don’t know our history, we are like grass blown around by the wind, with nothing to hold us down. Knowing where we come from makes us strong.
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Lessons About Respect and Responsibility
With all things and in all things, we are relatives.
— Sioux Proverb
What it means: Everything is connected, like one big family. We should treat all living things—people, animals, and plants—with kindness and respect.
“When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us”
— Arapaho Proverb
What it means: If we treat others, including animals and nature, respectfully, they will treat us kindly, too. Respect goes both ways.
A good chief gives, he does not take.”
— Mohawk Proverb
What it means: A good leader helps others and doesn’t just think about themselves. Being a leader is about caring for the people around you. (*Mohawk)
Lessons About Gratitude and Humility
Before eating, always take time to thank the food.
— Arapaho Proverb.
What it means: It’s important to be thankful for the food we eat. A moment to say “thank you” helps us remember how lucky we are to have food.
“If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”
— Minquass Proverb
What it means: If you can’t find anything to be thankful for, you’re not looking hard enough. There are always things to appreciate in life.
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts.
— Hopi Proverb
What it means: It’s okay to cry when you’re sad. Crying helps you feel better by letting out the sadness inside.
Lessons About Nature and the Environment
All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us, and if we listen, we can hear them.
— Arapaho Proverb
What it means: Plants are like our family. If we pay attention, they can tell us a lot, like when they need water or are healthy.
“Everything the power does, it does in a circle.”
— Lakota Proverb
What it means: Life works in circles, like the seasons or the way the sun rises and sets. Everything is connected and goes around in a loop.
Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence; it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: Nature and quiet moments can teach us important things if we take the time to listen. Our hearts can guide us when we pay attention.
Lessons About Courage and Perseverance
A brave man dies only once, a coward dies many times.
— Iowa Proverb
What it means: A brave person faces their fears and doesn’t have to worry about them anymore. A person who is afraid keeps worrying over and over.
“It is easy to be brave from a distance.”
— Omaha Proverb
What it means: It’s easy to say you’re brave when you’re not in danger. Real bravery is shown when you face something scary up close.
Poverty is a noose that strangles humility and breeds disrespect for God and man.
— Sioux Proverb
What it means: When people are destitute, they can feel desperate and lose respect for others and themselves.
Lessons About Personal Growth and Self-Reflection
Man has responsibility, not power.
— Tuscarora Proverb
What it means: We should focus on what we must do and not just try to control everything. Being responsible is more important than being assertive.
“Ask questions from your heart, and you will be answered from the heart.”
— Omaha Tribe
What it means: If you ask questions honestly and sincerely, you will get honest and sincére answers.
Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.
— Cherokee Proverb
What it means: Don’t spend too much time thinking about the past. Focus on today and make the most of it.
“Do not pray when it is raining if you do not pray when the sun is shining.”
— Native American Proverb
What it means: Don’t only be thankful or ask for help when things are bad. Remember to be grateful when things are good, too.
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Lessons About Legacy and Heritage
Remember that your children are not your own, but are lent to you by the Creator.
— Mohawk Proverb
What it means: Children are a special gift, and it’s our job to take good care of them and help them grow up strong and wise.
“A man or woman with many children has many homes.”
— Lakota Sioux Proverb
What it means: Having a big family means you’ll always have many places to call home, full of love and warmth.
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: We should take care of the earth because it’s not just ours—it belongs to the kids who will live here after us.
No river can return to its source, yet all rivers must have a beginning.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: We can’t go back in time to where we started, but it’s important to remember where we come from.
“All who have died are equal.”
— Comanche Proverb
What it means: No matter who we are, everyone is the same after death. Death makes everyone equal.
All dreams spin out from the same web.
— Hopi Proverb
What it means: Our dreams and goals are connected, like a big web. They all come from the same place deep inside us.
Showing kindness to a stranger is a gift that is always returned.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: If you’re nice to someone you don’t know, they’ll remember and might be nice to someone else. Kindness spreads.
“The heart is your center, being from your center outward.”
— Anishinaabe Proverb
What it means: Let your heart guide you in everything you do. It’s the most essential part of who you are. (Source: Anishinaabe)
A community that lacks faith in itself cannot survive.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: If a group of people doesn’t believe in themselves, they won’t be able to stick together and succeed.
Do not change horses in the middle of the river.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: Don’t switch plans when you’re in the middle of something difficult. Stick with it until you’re safely on the other side.
“Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart.”
— Native American Proverb
What it means: It’s easy to be attracted to things that look good, but it’s better to go after the things that matter to you.
When the White man wins, it is a bat; when the Indian wins, it is a massacre.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: This proverb points out the unfair way people have talked about Native Americans in history, showing that victories were often treated differently depending on who won.
Even your silence holds a sort of prayer.
— Native American Proverb
What it means: Sometimes, being quiet can be as powerful as speaking. Silence can show respect and deep thought.
“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Walk beside me that we may be as one.”
— Native American Proverb
What it means: True friendship and partnership mean walking side by side as equals, helping each other along the way.
Final Thoughts
Native American proverbs are liké advice passed down from elders, giving us lessons on how to live well, be kind, and respect the world. By understanding and using these lessons in our lives, we can become better people and help make the world a better place for everyone.
