The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
AUTHOR QUOTES
Quotes by Chief Joseph
Explore 25 verified and sourced quotes attributed to Chief Joseph. Open any quote for its dedicated page, source details and related topics.
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Selected quotes by Chief Joseph
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
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.
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 does not require many words to speak the truth.
Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
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.
You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
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.
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.
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.
We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.
I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.
A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.
When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
I will speak with a straight tongue.
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