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

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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 saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

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...

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...

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

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

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.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

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...

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...

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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...

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...

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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.

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

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

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

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.