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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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

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

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

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

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...