We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the...

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the...

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to...

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to...

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

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

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

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

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 am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken...

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken...

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...

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

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

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to...

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to...

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...

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...

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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.

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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.

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...

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...