Share
×
Inspirational Quotes
Authors
Professions
Topics
Tags
Quote
You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
Share
Change background
T
T
T
Change font
Original
TAGS & TOPICS
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
Expect
Free
Born
Running
Wells
Penned
Might
Contented
Well
Backwards
Men
Rivers
More quotes by 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 do not believe that the Great Spirit Chief gave one kind of men the right to tell another kind of men what they must do.
Chief Joseph
My people were divided about surrendering.
Chief Joseph
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
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them.
Chief Joseph
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Chief Joseph
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.
Chief Joseph
Look twice at a two-faced man.
Chief Joseph
Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.
Chief Joseph
Our chiefs are killed. . . . The little children are freezing to death. . . . My people have no blankets, no food. . . . My heart is sick and sad. . . . I will fight no more forever.
Chief Joseph
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
Chief Joseph
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Chief Joseph
Good words will not give me back my children.
Chief Joseph
An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
Chief Joseph
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Chief Joseph
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph
I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
Chief Joseph
