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

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and 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...

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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.

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...

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

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

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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

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

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...

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 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...

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...

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.

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

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

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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 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.

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...

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...

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.