Quotes by Chief Joseph

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Love

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

— Chief Joseph

Love

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

Wisdom

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

Love

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

— Chief Joseph

Truth

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

— Chief Joseph

Success

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Love

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

— Chief Joseph

Courage

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

Wisdom

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.

— Chief Joseph

Happiness

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

Hope

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Love

When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

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

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom

I will speak with a straight tongue.

— Chief Joseph

Wisdom