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.
When Dr. King was murdered, I had no idea who he was. But as soon as I heard his words on television that night when I was 9 years old, I was dumbstruck, awestruck by their power.
I repeat again: the male mind is egoistic. You have to learn the way of the feminine, you have to become egoless, you have to learn the path of surrender. You have to learn how to melt into existence, how to become one with the rivers and the mountains and the clouds, how to feel affinity, attunement, at-onement. And then slowly, slowly you become a host. The day you are a host, the Guest comes.
Others will always seek to define you based on what they think you represent or who they think you are. But you have to be the one to control what you do and what you say and how you present yourself.
Poverty does not produce unhappiness: It produces degradation.
Speak your heart. If they don't understand, the message was never meant for them anyway.
When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.
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