You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

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

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

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...

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...

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

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

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...

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...

We ask to be recognized as men.

We ask to be recognized as men.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

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.

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...

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...

I will speak with a straight tongue.

I will speak with a straight tongue.

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.

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.

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...

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.

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 pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

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...