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George Catlin Quotes

An Indian's dress of deer skins, which is wet a hundred times upon his back, dries soft; and his lodge also, which stands in the rains, and even through the severity of winter, is taken down as soft and as clean as when

An Indian's dress of deer skins, which is wet a hundred times upon his back, dries soft; and his lodge also, which stands in the rains, and even through the severity of winter, is taken down as soft and as clean as when it was first put up.

George Catlin
Taken, Rain, Winter
George Catlin (1841). “The Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North-American Indians, by Geo. Catlin: With Four Hundred Illustrations, Etched and Outlined, from His Original Paintings Now Exhibiting in His Indian Museum, Egyptian Hall, London”, p.46

The very use of the word savage, as it is applied in its general sense, I am inclined to believe is an abuse of the word, and the people to whom it is applied.

George Catlin
Believe, People, Abuse
George Catlin (1848). “Illustrations of the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians: In a Series of Letters and Notes Written During Eight Years of Travel and Adventure Among the Wildest and Most Remarkable Tribes Now Existing”, p.9

I have, for many years past, contemplated the noble races of red men who are now spread over these trackless forests and boundless prairies, melting away at the approach of civilization.

George Catlin
Men, Past, Race
George Catlin (1857). “Illustrations of the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians: With Letters and Notes Written During Eight Years of Travel and Adventure Among the Wildest and Most Remarkable Tribes Now Existing ; with 360 Engravings, from the Author's Original Paintings”, p.16

If my life be spared, nothing shall stop me short of visiting every nation of Indians on the Continent of North America.

George Catlin
America, Life Is, Visiting

I have seen him set fire to his wigwam and smooth over the graves of his fathers... clap his hand in silence over his mouth, and take the last look over his fair hunting ground, and turn his face in sadness to the setting sun.

George Catlin
Father, Sadness, Hunting
George Catlin (1841). “The Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North-American Indians, by Geo. Catlin: With Four Hundred Illustrations, Etched and Outlined, from His Original Paintings Now Exhibiting in His Indian Museum, Egyptian Hall, London”, p.156

The Missouri is, perhaps, different in appearance and character from all other rivers in the world; there is a terror in its manner which is sensibly felt, the moment we enter its muddy waters from the Mississippi.

George Catlin
Character, Rivers, Water
George Catlin (2012). “Manners, Customs, and Conditions of the North American Indians”, p.17, Courier Corporation

The Crows are very handsome and gentlemanly Indians in their personal appearance: and have been always reputed, since the first acquaintance made with them, very civil and friendly.

George Catlin
Hippie, Crow, Friendly
George Catlin (2015). “The North American Indians Volume 1 of 2: Being Letters and Notes on Their Manners and Conditions”, p.53, Digital Scanning Inc

The several tribes of Indians inhabiting the regions of the Upper Missouri. . . are undoubtedly the finest looking, best equipped, and most beautifully costumed of any on the Continent.

George Catlin
Tribes, Finest, Missouri
George Catlin (1857). “Illustrations of the Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North American Indians: With Letters and Notes Written During Eight Years of Travel and Adventure Among the Wildest and Most Remarkable Tribes Now Existing ; with 360 Engravings, from the Author's Original Paintings”, p.23

A Crow is known wherever he is met by his beautiful white dress, and his tall and elegant figure; the greater part of the men being six feet high.

George Catlin
Beautiful, Men, Gnarly
George Catlin (1841). “The Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North-American Indians, by Geo. Catlin: With Four Hundred Illustrations, Etched and Outlined, from His Original Paintings Now Exhibiting in His Indian Museum, Egyptian Hall, London”, p.46

Thank God, it is over, that I have seen it and am able to tell it to the world.

George Catlin
Thank God, World, Able
George Catlin (1841). “The Manners, Customs, and Condition of the North-American Indians, by Geo. Catlin: With Four Hundred Illustrations, Etched and Outlined, from His Original Paintings Now Exhibiting in His Indian Museum, Egyptian Hall, London”, p.155

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