17 Quotes by Cherokee authors

Rooted in mountains and river valleys, Cherokee words move with measured calm and resolve. They speak of harmony, keeping balance with kin, land, and one’s own heart, and of responsibility carried forward without boast. Story and song braid memory with instruction; humor softens hard truths without letting them slip away. The tone is steady, attentive, and practical, yet touched by reverence for what cannot be seen. Wisdom comes from listening, from work well done, and from going lightly while holding fast to what matters.

See the complete list of authors from Cherokee

"The secret of our success is that we never, never give up"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"I want to be remembered as the person who helped us restore faith in ourselves"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"Everybody is sitting around saying, 'Well, jeez, we need somebody to solve this problem of bias.' That somebody is us. We all have to try to figure out a better way to get along"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"I've run into more discrimination as a woman than as an Indian"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"A lot of young girls have looked to their career paths and have said they'd like to be chief. There's been a change in the limits people see"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"We must trust our own thinking. Trust where we're going. And get the job done"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"Individually and collectively, Cherokee people possess an extraordinary ability to face down adversity and continue moving forward"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"Growth is a painful process"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"I don't think anybody anywhere can talk about the future of their people or of an organization without talking about education. Whoever controls the education of our children controls our future"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"There are a whole lot of historical factors that have played a part in our being where we are today, and I think that to even to begin to understand our contemporary issues and contemporary problems, you have to understand a little bit about that history"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"Prior to my election, young Cherokee girls would never have thought that they might grow up and become chief"

Wilma Mankiller, Statesman

Small: Wilma Mankiller

"My great crime in the world is blunder I will get into scrapes without intention or any bad motive"

Stand Watie, Soldier

"If I commit an error I do it without bad intention"

Stand Watie, Soldier

"Poor Andy Nave was killed. He refused to surrender and was shot by Dick Fields. I felt sorry as he used to be quite friendly towards me before the war, but it could not be helped"

Stand Watie, Soldier

"I call upon my God to judge me, he knows that I love my friends and above all others my wife and children, the, oppinion of the world to contrary notwithstanding"

Stand Watie, Soldier