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

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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.

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...

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we...

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

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

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

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

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

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

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

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

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...

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.

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...

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis...

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis...

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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

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

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

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

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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...

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...

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

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