Quote

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

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
Men
Peace
Treat
White
Treats
Give
Grow
Live
Wants
Need
Trouble
Giving
Grows
Alike
Needs
Law
Native
Even
Chance
Indian

More quotes by Chief Joseph

Image
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph
Image
Finest fur may cover toughest meat.
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
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
Image
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
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
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark.
Chief Joseph
Image
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
Image
We ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.
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
Look twice at a two-faced man.
Chief Joseph
Image
Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.
Chief Joseph
Image
Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their fathers. These laws were good.
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
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Chief Joseph
Image
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.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
Chief Joseph
Image
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
Image
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
Chief Joseph