Chief Tecumseh was a leader of the Shawnee people. I first heard about Chief Tecumseh’s “Words of Wisdom” while watching the movie “Act of Valor”.  At the end of this movie Chief Tecumseh’s poem was recited as a letter from a fallen navy seal to his newborn son which he had never gotten to see.

It was a very powerful ending and I will remember it for a long time.

Chief Tecumseh’s Words of Wisdom

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

– Chief Tecumseh March 1768 – October 5th, 1813

Other Quotes by Chief Tecumseh

“A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong.”
“Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty, and the graves of our fathers.”

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecumseh