The first American mingled with his pride
a singular humility. Spiritual arrogance was foreign
to his nature and teaching.

He never claimed that the power of articulate speech
was proof of superiority over the dumb creation;
on the other hand, it is to him a perilous gift.

He believes profoundly in silence the sign
of a perfect equilibrium.
Silence is the absolute poise or balance of body,
mind, and spirit.

The man who preserves his selfhood ever calm
and unshaken by the storms of existence not a leaf,
as it were, astir on the tree; not a ripple
upon the surface of shining pool his, in the mind of
the unlettered sage, is the ideal attitude and conduct of life.

If you ask him: "What is silence?" he will answer:
"It is the Great Mystery!" "The holy silence is His voice!"

If you ask: "What are the fruits of silence?"
he will say: "They are self-control, true courage
or endurance, patience, dignity, and reverence.
Silence is the cornerstone of character."

Ohiyesa [Dr Charles Eastman] Santee Sioux

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