The Soul Would Have No Rainbow if the Eyes Had No Tears and Other Native American Proverbs

by Guy A. Zona

A collection of short and inspirational Native American proverbs.

Sayings of time-honored truth and contemporary wisdom from the Native American tribes:

Why will you take by force what you may obtain by love?
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.
He who serves his fellows is the greatest of all.
If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can be as gentle as a dove.
The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves.
A sin against a neighbor is an offense against the Great Spirit.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Inspirational, Native American

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 1994

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful proverbs from Native Americans - the reverence for nature really touched me. I use the term 'Native America' because it is in the title: but I am aware that this term is open to debate. What is not open to debate is the connection NA people had with nature; we could still learn so much if we would just listen to what is said in this book.

[Hákon Gunnarsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little, but quite beautiful book. It’s a collection of Native American proverbs. I’ve read quite a few of these books of proverbs, and the thing what I find most interesting about them now is the we really are all the same, what ever the culture is called. For example:

We should be as water, which is lower than all things yet stronger even than the rocks.

This really sounds like something straight out of Zen Buddhism, but it comes from Oglala Sioux.

The biggest different between Native American proverbs, and others, seems to be in the view of nature, like in this one that comes from Arapaho: Take only what you need and leave the land as you found it.

Pretty good. In fact I think that a lot of our problems today are a result of not taking this to heart.

[Melinda Cloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another of my "keep it out" books. I am admittedly a lover of quotes, recognizing any moment in my life where I may have thought I "knew it all" was a foolish moment indeed. I've a great appreciation for Native American wisdom and these proverbs offer limitless proverbial pondering opportunities. "The only things that need the protection of men are the things of men, not the things of spirit." (CROW)

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tiny book I found in the Visitor Centre of Jackson, Wyoming. It is really interesting to find proverbs from other cultures, but also see how folk have responded to proverbs from my culture. For example, “if a man is as wise as a serpent, he can be as gentle as a dove” which is clearly a response to the Christian “be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves”. Clearly some folk on meeting the First Nation people didn’t quite live up to the message they proclaimed.
There is much wisdom here, much respecting the old, living wisely, understanding how people best get along, and be a person who “strives to be never absent from an important act” so that “they are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.”
Much of this is common sense, so it is nice to have a little tome of common sense to ensure it stays, well, common.

[Vicki Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books of quotes and proverbs. This is a good collection.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

All major groups of humans have a collection of proverbs, some of the wise sayings are thousands of years old. For example, Aesop’s fables are thought to be over 2,500 years old. It is likely that many or most of the proverbs in this collection are that old, verbally passed down from generation to generation.
Many of them reflect the Native American reverence for the land and nature, attempting to coexist with the world rather than conquer and subjugate it. While the sayings are good, they do not capture an essential component of the Native Americans, the fact that tribes waged war on each other. For example, some of the proverbs on the back cover are:

“Why will you take by force what you may obtain by love?”
“A sin against a neighbor is an offense against the Great Spirit.”
“If he is as wise as a serpent, he can be gentle as a dove.”

Students of history know that one of the reasons the white man was so successful against the Native Americans is that various tribes had centuries of history of warfare against each other. In that respect, this book is misleading.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compellation of quotes from various Native American tribes. Take time to read through this slowly and meditate upon the individual sayings. One example is "A brave man dies but once-a coward many times."

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The one who tells the stories rules the world. (Hopi tribe)

God gives us each a song. (Ute tribe)

Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins. (Northern Cheyenne tribe)

[Albehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I great little book of inspirational Native American Proverbs.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book at the store at the Grand Canyon, I’ve dipped in and out of it for three years or more and finally got round to marking it as “read”.
I enjoyed it immensely, lots to think on and make you challenge yourself to be a better person.

[Zach]

2nd read:

A divine spring to revisit.

-

This is a superbly fine collection of lightning bolts from many different Native American tribes. One to sit and dwell with many times. 

A few favorites.


Life is as the flash of the firefly in the night, the breath of the buffalo in winter time. (Blackfoot)


To go on a vision quest is to go into the presence of the great mystery. (Lakota)


It is good to be reminded that each of us has a different dream. (Crow)


Death always comes out of season. (Pawnee)


They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind. (Tuscarora)


Our first teacher is our own heart. (Cheyenne)


Don't let yesterday use up too much of today. (Cherokee)

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was kind of given to me as a gift/present from Olivia-Grace last night, and since its such a quick simple read (two-three sentence proverbs per page for 128 pages) finished it this morning. Could easily sit and read the whole thing in one hour or so (probably less). Good aphorisms and proverbs from the Native Americans, many good quotes, and many 'familiar' quotes that are now part of the lexicon but changed slightly.

[SDAntoNia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found P. 64 (Don't let yesterday use up too much of today) and P. 68 (wise as a serpent can afford to be harmless as a dove) to be most interesting. It is a shame that no context nor history were offered with the sayings.
Peace,
Shira
MEOW Date: 26.8 12014 H.E.

[Joe S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had this book for years, (forgotten treasure) and when I opened it, I was amazed! Love it!

[Veronica Feliciano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlighted the ones that made more impact to heart....I must say I was disappointed that some a repeated. Thats why its only four stars instead of five. Otherwise, great book!

[Becky Galambos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice collection of proverbs, would be nice to have some sidebars, background info, etc included to give context to some of them.

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I'd like everyone to read. It is all Native American proverbs, and just when I found one that I'd want to share on Facebook, I'd find another one that was applicable...actually they all were. There was every tribe imaginable quoted.
These quotes went right to my soul, and so many explained things that I have had questions about; especially about death.

"They are not dead who live in the hearts they left behind". (Tuscarora)

"All who have died are equal" (Comanche)

"The dead add their strength and counsel to the living" (Hopi)

"Life is as the flash of the firefly in the night, the breath of the buffalo in winter time" (Blackfoot)

[Adrienna]

I greatly enjoyed this donation. I may have to find my own copy!

I enjoyed many of the quotes, and some were very similar to the Scriptures in the (Christian) Bible. Such as one about man should not be alone. God didn't create "man to be alone."

I finished in one sitting. Easy, light, read with many quotes from various tribes!

Disclaimer: I read a copy from work library and giving honest review.

[Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, small book of quotes from Native origin.
The quotes are meaningful and helpful to anyone at any age or stage in life.
The curator has placed each quote with others that add to their depth and resonance.
Whether this book is sipped along or swallowed whole, it offers the reader Heart and value.

[Riley Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

It does what it says it is, but I’m not sure if it’s helpful to take 20 or so tribes and pretend they are a monoculture.

I feel like many of these are taken out of a cultural context that would give the meaning more depth.

The quotes aren’t even ordered by topic so you can compare different tribes’ sayings.

[Cynthia (Bingeing On Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with lots of inspiring proverbs. Loved the lessons in the book.

[AHZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 for this one.

[Martin]

Some proverbs are good. Some are wrong and/or need refining.

[Glenda Clemens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book a lot. My sister and her wife sent it to me as a gift. I love Native American wisdom and this little book is chock full of nothing but wisdom.

[Tanny Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

"If a man is as wise as a serpent, he can afford to be as harmless as a dove."

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of short quotes by various First Peoples in the United States area. They incorporate much wisdom.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!!! I look forward to reading it again and again and again.

[The_J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps even a pearl of wisdom or two.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of proverbs attributed to Native Americans (First Americans, whichever term you prefer).

I noted a few that prompted writing ideas; however, most of the quotes could be from anything and anywhere and any group of people.

I suppose I expected something more specific than (HOPI) and others as the credit to the quotes, but that's how proverbs become: they are a part of the fabric of a culture.

[Benjamin X. Wretlind · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thoughtful collection of proverbs, but I'm also a history kind of guy and would have liked to see some references to each of the proverbs (i.e. who was this person and when did he say this?). I'm still going to keep it by my bedside and read it over every now and again.