Black Elk Quotes

Author Image

Black Elk

Profession : Leader

Birth : December 1, 1863

I had a vision with which I might have saved my people, but I had not the strength to do it.

Black Elk

To use the power of the bison, I had to perform that part of my vision for the people to see.

Black Elk

My friend, I am going to tell you the story of my life, as you wish; and if it were only the story of my life I think I would not tell it; for what is one man that he should make much of his winters, even when they bend him like a heavy snow?

Black Elk

I think I have told you, but if I have not, you must have understood, that a man who has a vision is not able to use the power of it until after he has performed the vision on earth for the people to see.

Black Elk

After the horse dance was over, it seemed that I was above the ground and did not touch it when I walked.

Black Elk

I looked below and saw my people there, and all were well and happy except one, and he was lying like the dead - and that one was myself.

Black Elk

They told me I had been sick twelve days, lying like dead all the while, and that Whirlwind Chaser, who was Standing Bear's uncle and a medicine man, had brought me back to life.

Black Elk

Also, as I lay there thinking of my vision, I could see it all again and feel the meaning with a part of me like a strange power glowing in my body; but when the part of me that talks would try to make words for the meaning, it would be like fog and get away from me.

Black Elk

I looked about me once again, and suddenly the dancing horses without number changed into animals of every kind and into all the fowls that are, and these fled back to the four quarters of the world from whence the horses came, and vanished.

Black Elk