Quote

My people were divided about surrendering.

Chief Joseph

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

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
Surrendering
Divided
People

More quotes by Chief Joseph

Image
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
Chief Joseph
Image
The earth is our mother. She should not be disturbed by hoe or plough. We want only to subsist on what she freely gives us.
Chief Joseph
Image
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph
Image
We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Chief Joseph
Image
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
Chief Joseph
Image
You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
Image
Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
Chief Joseph
Image
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
Image
We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that. We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth, but we never quarrel about the Great Spirit. We do not want to learn that.
Chief Joseph
Image
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph
Image
All people should be treated the same way on earth.
Chief Joseph
Image
Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we will have no more wars. We shall all be alike-brothers of one father and one another, with one sky above us and one country around us, and one government for all.
Chief Joseph
Image
Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
Chief Joseph
Image
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
Chief Joseph
Image
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
Image
I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph
Image
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Chief Joseph
Image
Look twice at a two-faced man.
Chief Joseph