--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: First kill me before you take possession…" description: "\"First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.\" — Sitting Bull" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg" --- # First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland. ![“First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.” quote by Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg) > “First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.” [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that surrender would betray one's nation and heritage. **In simple terms:** Defending homeland over life. Key Takeaway Freedom outweighs survival. Themes patriotism sacrifice cultural identity defiance Mood defiant solemn Type war cry political statement When to use this quote - facing invasion - colonial oppression - cultural genocide Key Concepts nationalism honor self-determination Practical Applications - inspiring resistance - motivating defense Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to value land over life? - How does this shape collective identity? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fatherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatherland/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill/) [Kill me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-me/) [Kill Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-possession-378401/) [Native american indian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-american-indian/) [Native american spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/native-american-spiritual/) [Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession/) [Possession Fatherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession-fatherland-378400/) ## Related quotes > [Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/everything-an-indian-does-is-in-a-circle-and-that-is-because-the/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [Traditional people of Indian nations have interpreted the two roads that face the light-skinned race as the road to technology and the road to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-commanda/traditional-people-of-indian-nations-have-interpreted-the-two-roads/) [William Commanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-commanda/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/always-give-a-word-or-a-sign-of-salute-when-meeting-or-passing-a/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/trouble-no-one-about-their-religion-respect-others-in-their-view-and/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) > [All things are bound together. All things connect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-seattle/all-things-are-bound-together-all-things-connect/) [Chief Seattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-seattle/) > [The old Lakota was wise. He knew that a man's heart away from nature becomes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-standing-bear/the-old-lakota-was-wise-he-knew-that-a-man-s-heart-away-from-nature/) [Luther Standing Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-standing-bear/) > [Tribe follows tribe, and nation follows nation, like the waves of the sea. It is the order of nature, and regret is useless. Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chief-seattle/tribe-follows-tribe-and-nation-follows-nation-like-the-waves-of-the/) [Chief Seattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chief-seattle/) > [What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the winter time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crowfoot/what-is-life-it-is-the-flash-of-a-firefly-in-the-night-it-is-the-2/) [Crowfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crowfoot/) > [Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crazy-horse/treat-the-earth-well-it-was-not-given-to-you-by-your-parents-it-was/) [Crazy Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crazy-horse/) > [ \[last words\] What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crowfoot/last-words-what-is-life-it-is-the-flash-of-a-firefly-in-the-night/) [Crowfoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crowfoot/) > [Everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/everything-an-indian-does-is-in-a-circle-and-that-is-because-the-2/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [The old people came literally to love the soil and they sat or reclined on the ground with a feeling of being close to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-standing-bear/the-old-people-came-literally-to-love-the-soil-and-they-sat-or/) [Luther Standing Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-standing-bear/) > [Help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-muller/help-me-always-to-speak-the-truth-quietly-to-listen-with-an-open-mind/) [Robert Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-muller/) > [Grown men may learn from very little children, for the hearts of little children are pure, and, therefore, the Great Spirit may show to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/grown-men-may-learn-from-very-little-children-for-the-hearts-of/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tecumseh/sing-your-death-song-and-die-like-a-hero-going-home/) [Tecumseh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tecumseh/) ## More by Sitting Bull > [As individual fingers we can easily be broken, but all together we make a mighty fist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/as-individual-fingers-we-can-easily-be-broken-but-all-together-we/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [I will remain what I am until I die, a hunter, and when there are no buffalo or other game I will send my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/i-will-remain-what-i-am-until-i-die-a-hunter-and-when-there-are-no/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [You come here to tell us lies, but we don't want to hear them. If we told you more, you would have paid no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/you-come-here-to-tell-us-lies-but-we-don-t-want-to-hear-them-if-we/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [Only seven years ago we made a treaty by which we were assured that the buffalo country should be left to us forever. Now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/only-seven-years-ago-we-made-a-treaty-by-which-we-were-assured-that/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [I am nothing, neither a chief nor a soldier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/i-am-nothing-neither-a-chief-nor-a-soldier/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [God made me an Indian, but not a reservation Indian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/god-made-me-an-indian-but-not-a-reservation-indian/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [For us, warriors are not what you think of as warriors. The warrior is not someone who fights, because no one has the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/for-us-warriors-are-not-what-you-think-of-as-warriors-the-warrior-is/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [I know Great Spirit is looking down upon me from above, and will hear what I say...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/i-know-great-spirit-is-looking-down-upon-me-from-above-and-will-hear/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [The meat of the buffalo tastes the same on both sides of the border.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/the-meat-of-the-buffalo-tastes-the-same-on-both-sides-of-the-border/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [He put in your heart certain wishes and plans; in my heart, he put other different desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/he-put-in-your-heart-certain-wishes-and-plans-in-my-heart-he-put/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [What white man has ever seen me drunk? Who has ever come to me hungry and left me unfed? Who has seen me beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/what-white-man-has-ever-seen-me-drunk-who-has-ever-come-to-me-hungry/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [When I was a boy, the Sioux owned the world. The sun rose and set on their land; they sent ten thousand men to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/when-i-was-a-boy-the-sioux-owned-the-world-the-sun-rose-and-set-on/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [Each man is good in His sight. It is not necessary for eagles to be crows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/each-man-is-good-in-his-sight-it-is-not-necessary-for-eagles-to-be/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [I was very sorry when I found out that your intentions were good and not what I supposed they were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/i-was-very-sorry-when-i-found-out-that-your-intentions-were-good-and/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) > [A cold wind blew on the prairie on the day the last buffalo fell. A death wind for my people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/a-cold-wind-blew-on-the-prairie-on-the-day-the-last-buffalo-fell-a/) [Sitting Bull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) [Explore all 70 Sitting Bull quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/) ## More Fatherland quotes > [In Russia there is an emigration of intelligence: émigrés cross the frontier in order to read and to write good books. But in doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-russia-there-is-an-emigration-of-intelligence-migr-s-cross-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I am driven out of fatherlands and motherlands. Thus I now love only my children's land, yet undiscovered, in the farthest sea; for this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/i-am-driven-out-of-fatherlands-and-motherlands-thus-i-now-love-only/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [There is a road to freedom. Its milestones are obedience, endeavour, honesty, order, cleanliness, sobriety, truthfulness, sacrifice, and love of the fatherland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/there-is-a-road-to-freedom-its-milestones-are-obedience-endeavour/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Our religion is Christ, our politics Fatherland!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-schemm/our-religion-is-christ-our-politics-fatherland/) [Hans Schemm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-schemm/) > [There is not a more disgusting spectacle under the sun than our subserviency to British criticism. It is disgusting, first, because it is truckling,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/there-is-not-a-more-disgusting-spectacle-under-the-sun-than-our/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [When a young man, I read somewhere the following: God the Almighty said, 'All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-kalashnikov/when-a-young-man-i-read-somewhere-the-following-god-the-almighty-said/) [Mikhail Kalashnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-kalashnikov/) > [Wherever I see some mystique, be it virtue or family, faith or fatherland, there I must commit some indecent act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witold-gombrowicz/wherever-i-see-some-mystique-be-it-virtue-or-family-faith-or/) [Witold Gombrowicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witold-gombrowicz/) > [I would give something to know for whose sake precisely those deeds were really done which report says were done for the fatherland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/i-would-give-something-to-know-for-whose-sake-precisely-those-deeds/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [Perugia is my true fatherland because there I grew to manhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pietro-aretino/perugia-is-my-true-fatherland-because-there-i-grew-to-manhood/) [Pietro Aretino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pietro-aretino/) > [I have loved my German people and my fatherland with a warm heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-kaltenbrunner/i-have-loved-my-german-people-and-my-fatherland-with-a-warm-heart/) [Ernst Kaltenbrunner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-kaltenbrunner/) > [If these hands, used to fighting, would be acceptable to His Holiness, we most thankfully dedicate them to the service of him who deserves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giuseppe-garibaldi/if-these-hands-used-to-fighting-would-be-acceptable-to-his-holiness/) [Giuseppe Garibaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giuseppe-garibaldi/) > [I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/i-will-tell-you-what-i-will-do-and-what-i-will-not-do-i-will-not/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Night is the fatherland of the great inspirations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/night-is-the-fatherland-of-the-great-inspirations/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“…what else do we have to ensure our sanity except our love for something beyond ourselves―our love for our families, our love for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/what-else-do-we-have-to-ensure-our-sanity-except-our-love-for/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [I call on God Almighty to have mercy on the German people. More than two million German soldiers went to their death for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-keitel/i-call-on-god-almighty-to-have-mercy-on-the-german-people-more-than/) [Wilhelm Keitel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-keitel/) [Browse all 96 Fatherland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatherland/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sitting Bull" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession-of-my-fatherland/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fatherland" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession-of-my-fatherland/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d45/sitting-bull-9727_fatherland_first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession_14760.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“First kill me before you take possession of my Fatherland.” — Sitting Bull", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sitting Bull", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sitting-bull/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "First kill me before you take...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession-of-my-fatherland/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sitting-bull/first-kill-me-before-you-take-possession-of-my-fatherland/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```