Quotes By Chief Joseph

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

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

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

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

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

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

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.

The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.

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

We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end.

The Indian race are waiting and praying.

A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.

I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

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

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

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

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

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

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

I know that my race must change.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

We ask to be recognized as men.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

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

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

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.