I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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

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

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 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.

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the...

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the...

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

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...

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

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

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights...

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights...

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

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...

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.