We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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...

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.

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...

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

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.

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...

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...

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 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...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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...

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 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...

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We...

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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.