Chief Joseph Quotes

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Chief Joseph

Profession : Leader

Birth : March 3, 1840

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.

Chief Joseph

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

Chief Joseph

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated.

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

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.

Chief Joseph

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

Chief Joseph

Good words will not give me back my children.

Chief Joseph

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.

Chief Joseph

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

Chief Joseph