All Chief Joseph Quotes
- It takes few words to tell the truth. Few
- I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed. Bloodshed
- Words do not pay for my dead people. Dead
- The country was made without lines of demarcation, and it is no man's business to divide it... Do not misunderstand me, but understand me fully… Accord
- 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… Advised
- I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth. Cannot Tell
- I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty. Every Law
- My people were divided about surrendering. Divided
- The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could… Branded
- We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead. All
- When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt. Began
- 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… Found
- I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition. Ammunition
- I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed. Inspirational
- I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people. Given
- If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. Indian
- Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country. Acted
- My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people. Dad
- Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand. All
- Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake. Animal
- War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war. Avoided
- 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… All
- 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… Country
- I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more. Believe
- 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. Chiefs