31+ Chief Seattle Quotes From The Native American Leader

Chief Seattle was the inspiration behind the naming of Seattle city in the state of Washington, United States, and hence his legacy is remembered through time.

He was born in 1786 and died on 7 June 1866 at the age of 77 years. One can find his reference in films like 'Seers and Clowns'.

Chief Seattle belongs to the Duwamish Tribe and was well known for his love and admiration for the conservation of the environment. 'Le Gros' or 'The Big One' was his nickname which the traders in the Hudson Bay Company assigned to him based on his personality and stature. He converted to Christianity and was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. Post the arrival of the American settlers this led to tensions about the future of the tribe as they were forced to leave and in many instances became victims of violence. Through this, Chief Seattle was influential as he maintained peace by arguing that resistance profited no one. He tried to understand and adapt to the culture of the settlers.  

Chief Seattle delivered various famous speeches which are still considered relevant today since there are various environmental movements on the rise. Some of his speeches were translated, however, the authenticity of them varies to different degrees. This arises as meaning is many times lost in translations as well as faulty translations and sometimes unnecessary additions are made. In this article, we will take a look at Chief Seattle quotes on the environment, land, and inspirational Chief Seattle quotes. If you love this quote article, visit Chief Dan George quotes and Tecumseh quotes to find related content.

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Chief Seattle was passionate about the conservation of the environment. Here are some Chief Seattle quotes related to this topic. Read these quotes to find out how passionate Chief Seattle was about this cause.

1."The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth."

-Chief Seattle, 'The Chief Seattle's Speech 1854'

2."To harm the earth is to heap contempt on its creator."

-Chief Seattle

3."Every part of the earth is sacred to my people."

-Chief Seattle

4."Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves."

-Chief Seattle  

5."Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can not eat money."

-Chief Seattle

6."All things share the same breath -the beast, the tree, the man. The air shares its spirit with all the life it supports."

-Chief Seattle

7."When the green hills are covered with talking wires and the wolves no longer sing, what good will money you paid for our land be then."

-Chief Seattle

8."How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and sparkle of the water, how can you buy them? "

-Chief Seattle

9."We are part of the earth and it is part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle: these are our brothers. All things are connected like the blood which unites one's family."

-Chief Seattle

10. "This we know, All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle

The settlement of the Americans caused major issues to the ownership of land so much so that the natives had to flee out of their own land in most instances. Here are some poignant Chief Seattle quotes on land and the quarrel between the white and Native American people over it.

11."When the earth is sick, the animals will begin to disappear, when that happens, the warriors of the rainbow will come to save them."

-Chief Seattle

12."Like as a man who has been dying for many days, a man in your city is numb to the stench."

-Chief Seattle

13."There is no quiet place in the white man's cities. No place to hear the unfurling of leaves in spring or the rustle of an insect's wings."

-Chief Seattle

14."What is there to life if a man cannot hear the lonely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around the pool at night."

-Chief Seattle

15."The whites, too, shall pass -perhaps sooner than other tribes. Continue to contaminate your bed and you will one night suffocate in your own waste."

-Chief Seattle

16."We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children."

-Chief Seattle

17."If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happen to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth."

-Chief Seattle  

18."Humans merely share the earth. We can only protect the land, not own it."

-Chief Seattle  

19."To us, the ashes of our ancestors are sacred and their resting place is hallowed ground."

-Chief Seattle

Take a look at these quotes from Chief Seattle to inspire you based on his life and experience. Find out more about Chief Seattle from these Chief Seattle quotes.

20."My words are like the stars that never change."

-Chief Seattle

21."The white man will never be alone. Let him be just, and deal kindly with my people. For the dead are not powerless."

-Chief Seattle, 'The Chief Seattle's Speech'

22."Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints."

-Chief Seattle

23."Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself."

-Chief Seattle

24."Whatever Seattle says, the great chief at Washington can rely upon with as much certainty as he can upon the return of the sun or the seasons."

-Chief Seattle

25."Let him be just and deal kindly with my people, for the dead are not powerless. Dead, did I say? There is no death. Only a change of worlds."

-Chief Seattle

26."There is no such place as away."

-Chief Seattle

27."The water's murmur is the voice of my father's father."

-Chief Seattle  

28."Tribe follows tribe, nations follow nations like the tides of the sea. It is the order of nature, and regret is useless."

-Chief Seattle

29."How can your God become our God and renew our prosperity and awaken in us dreams of returning greatness."

-Chief Seattle

30."Your religion was written on tablets of stone, ours on our hearts."

-Chief Seattle

31."Our God, the Great Spirit, seems also to have forsaken us. Your God makes your people wax stronger every day. Soon they will fill all the land."

-Chief Seattle  

32."I will not dwell on, nor mourn over, our untimely decay, nor reproach my paleface brothers with hastening it, as we too may have somewhat to blame."  

-Chief Seattle  

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Chief Seattle quotes then why not take a look at [Chief Joseph quotes],  or [Native American quotes].