Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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

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

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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

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

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

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

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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 will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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

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

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.

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the...

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

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

My people were divided about surrendering.

My people were divided about surrendering.

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...

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...

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...