There were no temples or shrines among us save those of nature. 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 think family friendship character 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 connection more nothing family Nearness to nature... keeps the spirit sensitive to impressions not commonly felt and in touch with the unseen powers. Charles Eastman touch sensitive nature spirit 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 woman friend man love 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 morals woman women blood 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 nature fire character water 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 boy training age father The native American has been generally despised by his white conquerors for his poverty and simplicity. Charles Eastman american poverty simplicity white The hospitality of the wigwam is only limited by the institution of war. Charles Eastman institution only hospitality war The American Indian was an individualist in religion as in war. He had neither a national army nor an organized church. Charles Eastman army church war religion 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 woman man mysterious marriage The religion of the Indian is the last thing about him that the man of another race will ever understand. Charles Eastman will understand man religion The red man divided mind into two parts, - the spiritual mind and the physical mind. Charles Eastman man red spiritual mind 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 miracles old man hero The Indian was a religious man from his mother's womb. Charles Eastman man womb indian mother The family was not only the social unit, but also the unit of government. Charles Eastman only family government social 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 alone duty parent power 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 feeling strong time people Our old age was in some respects the happiest period of life. Charles Eastman old old-age age life No one who is at all acquainted with the Indian in his home can deny that we are a polite people. Charles Eastman who indian home people
