My people were divided about surrendering.

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.

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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

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

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to...

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

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

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...

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...

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 am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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.

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...

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...