Chief Joseph Quotes

Most Famous Chief Joseph Quotes of All Time!

We have created a collection of some of the best chief-joseph quotes so you can read and share anytime with your friends and family. Share our Top 10 Chief Joseph Quotes on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Popular Quotes Topics for You.

Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them.

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land.

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.

I know that my race must change.

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.

An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.

Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

I want the white people to understand my people.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

We ask to be recognized as men.

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.

I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Good words will not give me back my children.

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

My people were divided about surrendering.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.

I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.

Guys, we are trying to share Unique Chief Joseph Quotes, so you will not get to read the same things again and again on our website. You can also share your favorites on Facebook or send them to a friend who loves to reading quotes.