I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

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...

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...

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

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

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 have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

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

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...

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 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.

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.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

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.

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...

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...

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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

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

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred...

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.

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...