A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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 am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

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...

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

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

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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...

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.

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...

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend...

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend...

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...

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...

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

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

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

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

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

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.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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...

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

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