Native American Epigrams
loose translations/interpretations by Michael R. Burch

Never judge a man for his sins
until you’ve trudged many moons in his moccasins.

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.

The soul would see no Rainbows
if not for the eyes’ tears.

A brave man dies but once,
a coward many times.

A woman’s highest calling is to help her man unite with the Source.
A man’s highest calling is to help his woman walk the earth unharmed.

Help us learn the lessons you left us,
in every leaf and rock.

Native American translations originally published by The HyperTexts

Pull back from me to
clear through your clutter
Only guidance can be offered for
the effects we have on ourselves
and others
Observe our actions from above
as a higher state helps to adjust
Step up from who and where you are
to be the change you want to make
Assess, review and conclude
For only we can improve our fate

Oh, twenty-twenty
You came quickly
Will you be long?
Help me get through?
Carry me to twenty-twenty-one?
I´m worried I wont get to see next year too.

I was asked to describe myself,
to use words that define who I am.
but how could I say anything without thinking of you?

I find myself in a storm
I knew where I was going
Yet I am surprised
That God is crying out
Water from his eyes
Me by myself
My worries and my fears
I knew where I was going
How did I still end up here?
Then I see the lights
The only offering of guidance
They keep me from going astray
Without them surely
The ditch is where I would lay
I've seen these lights before
In following my older brother
In the kind words of a friend
The proud teardrops of my mother
They were there all along
Showing me the way
Were it not for them
The ditch is where I would lay

In the event of a hostile assault,
storming a castle or surrender
of the garrison.
2. If you are going to be captured
(as hostage), first and foremost
stay calm. A cold assessment of the situation
will help to plan your actions
more clearly. Resist -
use interior items,
available weapons,
elements of beauty care
or desperation.
Remember: your goal is to not stay alive.
Do not question the free will
of (you and) people who favor you.
3. Hide (only) to convey
the message or to strike
the best shot. If found -
act aggressively,
make unexpected sharp movements,
do not spare your words -
try to personally insult
someone of the attackers.
It will change your position;
death is likely to be faster and more decisive.
4. Noisy screams attract attention
and make you a priority target.
5. Don’t trust men if they say
treacherous things. Do not be afraid to oppose them -
endanger yourself hastily.
Last. It may happen that you will not have
time to read the prayer at all or in
full. Therefore, those who need to be convinced
of the virtue of the immortal soul,
should have to take the habit to
daily, at a comfortable time,
confess before God.

Drawn up by
Voivode Stanko Yursha
Castellan Simon Chortoriysky

Seeking life through another's eyes
be not how I wanted to live.
Let it be my eyes that others seek,
and the hope they intend to give.

I don't need to understand your problems as I hold your hand to help you through them

You don't need to understand my words to support me as I try to fight my demons and manage through them