I will speak with a straight tongue.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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

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

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

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

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

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

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

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they...

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they...

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to...

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to...

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

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

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

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

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

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

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of...

The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of...

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

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

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

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

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30...

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30...

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

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

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my...

It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my...

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had...

For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had...

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.