I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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...

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.

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.

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...

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

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

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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

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

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 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 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 have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

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...

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...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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...

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 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.

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...

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.