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

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

Good words will not give me back my children.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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 Quote

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 Quote

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
- Chief Joseph Quote

I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
- Chief Joseph Quote

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

I know that my race must change.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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

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

I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
- Chief Joseph Quote

I will speak with a straight tongue.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
- Chief Joseph Quote

It does not require many words to speak the truth.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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

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

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.
- Chief Joseph Quote

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
- Chief Joseph Quote

My people were divided about surrendering.
- Chief Joseph Quote

Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.
- Chief Joseph Quote

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

The Indian race are waiting and praying.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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 claim them.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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

War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
- Chief Joseph Quote

We ask to be recognized as men.
- Chief Joseph Quote

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

We had a great many horses, of which we gave Lewis and Clark what they needed, and they gave us guns and tobacco in return.
- Chief Joseph Quote

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.
- Chief Joseph Quote

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy to possess everything the Indian had.
- Chief Joseph Quote

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.
- Chief Joseph Quote

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
- Chief Joseph Quote

Words do not pay for my dead people.
- Chief Joseph Quote