Quote

We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.

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
Grizzlies
Deer
Bear
Bears
Like
Grizzly

More quotes by Chief Joseph

Image
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
Image
I know that my race must change.
Chief Joseph
Image
We gathered all the stock we could find, and made an attempt to move. We left many of our horses and cattle in Wallowa. We lost several hundred in crossing the river.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
Chief Joseph
Image
A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
Good words will not give me back my children.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
Chief Joseph
Image
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
Chief Joseph
Image
I will speak with a straight tongue.
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
We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that he never forgets that hereafter he will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: if he has been a good man, he will have a good home if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home. This I believe, and all my people believe the same.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
It takes few words to tell the truth.
Chief Joseph
Image
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
Chief Joseph
Image
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