Quotes by Chief Joseph

“I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.”

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

“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.”

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

“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.”

“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.”

“Perhaps you think the Creator sent you here to dispose of us as you see fit. If I thought you were sent by the Creator, I might be induced to think you had a right to dispose of me. Do not misunder...”

“In the treaty councils the commissioners have claimed that our country had been sold to the Government. Suppose a white man should come to me and say, Joseph, I like your horses, and I want to buy ...”

“Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men ar...”

“Too many misinterpretations have been made; too many misunderstandings have come up between the white men and the Indians. If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in pea...”

“I only ask of the Government to be treated as all other men are treated. If I cannot go to my own home, let me have a home in a country where my people will not die so fast.”