It does not require many words to speak the truth.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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 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...

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...

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

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

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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

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

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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

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

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...

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.

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

I want the white people to understand my people.

I want the white people to understand my people.

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

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

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...

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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.

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...

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...