Advantage Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“A regular council was held with the Indians, who had come in on their ponies, and speeches were made on both sides through an interpreter, quite in the described mode,--the Indians, as usual, having the advantage in point of truth and earnestness, and therefore of eloquence. The most prominent chief was named Little Crow. They were quite dissatisfied with the white man's treatment of them, and probably have reason to be so.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Civil Disobedience, 1849
The Native Americans felt unheard, yet their truth and sincerity gave them persuasive power despite language barriers.
In simple terms: Indigenous voices were sincere and persuasive.
Key Takeaway
Listen to authentic perspectives.
Themes
justice
truth
communication
colonialism
indigenous rights
Mood
reflective
somber
thoughtful
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- community meetings
- historical negotiations
- modern cross‑cultural dialogues
Key Concepts
oral authority
cultural misunderstanding
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sincerity affect persuasion?
- What responsibilities do interpreters have?
A Different Perspective
The account may romanticize the “truth” of the Indians without acknowledging their complex political motives.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
