I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say.
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?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a deep sense of pride and love for one's heritage and people, questioning the morality of such affections.
Sitting Bull's quote conveys the profound connection he feels towards his identity, culture, and people. He poignantly challenges the notion that loving and defending one's own community, especially in the face of discrimination and prejudice, could be seen as wrong. The quote reflects a passionate affirmation of pride in one's roots and an unwavering commitment to one's people and homeland, emphasizing that love for one's own is a natural and noble sentiment.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a cultural gathering, to highlight the importance of loving one's heritage.
More from Sitting Bull
All quotes →I want to tell you that if the Great Spirit had chosen anyone to be the chief of this country, it is myself.
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.
God made me an Indian, but not a reservation Indian.
Similar quotes
You know, when one's in love,' I said, 'and things go all wrong, one's terribly unhappy and one thinks one won't ever get over it. But you'll be astounded to learn what the sea will do.' What do you mean?' she smiled. Well, love isn't a good sailor and it languishes on a sea voyage. You'll be surprised when you have the Atlantic between you and Larry to find how slight the pang is that before you sailed seemed intolerable.
Oh, love is real enough; you will find it someday, but it has one archenemy - and that is life.
We have grown so accustomed to the idea of divine love...that we no longer sense the awe that God's coming should awaken in us.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.
There's a certain feeling of giving, a certain feeling of generosity in love songs. When you sing a song of love, you're actually giving something to yourself, too. You're singing and casting these affirmations of love out into the universe.
There is no shame in loving. If your septons say there is, your seven gods must be demons. In the isles we know better. Our gods gave us legs to run with, noses to smell with, hands to touch and feel. What mad cruel god would give a man eyes and tell him he must forever keep them shut, and never look at all the beauty in the world? Only a monster god, a demon of the darkness.