My people were divided about surrendering.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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

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

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

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

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 pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

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.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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...

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

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...

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

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

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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...

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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.