Quotes by Chief Joseph

"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."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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."

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

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

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

"I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my life. My father smiled and passed away to the spirit land."

"It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war."

"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."

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

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

"I know that my race must change."

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

"I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people."

"I am tired of talk that comes to nothing."

"It does not require many words to speak the truth."

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

"When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill."

"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."

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

"For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water."

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

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

"I will speak with a straight tongue."

"We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy."

"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."

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