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You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
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Chief Joseph
Age: 64 †
Born: 1840
Born: March 3
Died: 1904
Died: September 21
Tribal Chief
Wallowa Valley
Joseph Buruzagia
Hin-mut-too-uah-lat-kekht
Thunder Rolling in the Mountains
Heinmot Tooyalaket
Joseph the Younger
Born
Running
Wells
Penned
Might
Contented
Well
Backwards
Men
Rivers
Expect
Free
More quotes by Chief Joseph
We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Chief Joseph
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Chief Joseph
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
The Indian race is waiting and praying.
Chief Joseph
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
Chief Joseph
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
Chief Joseph
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
Chief Joseph
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Chief Joseph
All men were made brothers. The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it. You might as well expect the rivers to run backward as that any man who was born free should be content when penned up and denied liberty to go where he pleases.
Chief Joseph
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
Chief Joseph
Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good.
Chief Joseph
When the last deer disappears into the morning mist, When the last elk vanishes from the hills, When the last buffalo falls on the plains, I will hunt mice for I am a hunter and I must have my freedom.
Chief Joseph
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
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
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
It takes few words to tell the truth.
Chief Joseph
I have asked some of the great white chiefs where they get their authority to say to the Indian that he shall stay in one place, while he sees white men going where they please. They cannot tell me.
Chief Joseph
Big name often stands on small legs.
Chief Joseph
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
