We gave up some of our country to the white men, thinking that then we could have peace. We were mistaken. The white man would not let us alone.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

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 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...

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

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

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

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.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

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...

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...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

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.

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.

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...

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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...

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis...

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis...