It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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...

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.

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 does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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...

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

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

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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...

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...

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

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

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.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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 ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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.

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

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

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...