The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity. Charles Eastman More Quotes by Charles Eastman More Quotes From 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 thinkfamilyfriendshipcharacter 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 connectionmorenothingfamily Nearness to nature... keeps the spirit sensitive to impressions not commonly felt and in touch with the unseen powers. Charles Eastman touchsensitivenaturespirit 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 womanfriendmanlove 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 moralswomanwomenblood 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 naturefirecharacterwater 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 boytrainingagefather There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature. Charles Eastman savethoseusnature The hospitality of the wigwam is only limited by the institution of war. Charles Eastman institutiononlyhospitalitywar The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church. Charles Eastman armychurchwarreligion 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 womanmanmysteriousmarriage The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand. Charles Eastman willunderstandmanreligion The red man divided mind into two parts, - the spiritual mind and the physical mind. Charles Eastman manredspiritualmind The logical man must either deny all miracles or none, and our American Indian myths and hero stories are perhaps, in themselves, quite as credible as those of the Hebrews of old. Charles Eastman miraclesoldmanhero The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb. Charles Eastman manwombindianmother The family was not only the social unit, but also the unit of government. Charles Eastman onlyfamilygovernmentsocial 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 alonedutyparentpower 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 feelingstrongtimepeople Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life. Charles Eastman oldold-ageagelife No one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we are a polite people. Charles Eastman whoindianhomepeople
