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It takes few words to tell the truth.

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
Takes
Words
Tell
Truth

More quotes by Chief Joseph

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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
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I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph
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We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
Chief Joseph
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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
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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
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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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I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
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My people were divided about surrendering.
Chief Joseph
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An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
Chief Joseph
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Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.
Chief Joseph
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I know that my race must change.
Chief Joseph
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Look twice at a two-faced man.
Chief Joseph
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I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
Chief Joseph
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I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph
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The Indian race is waiting and praying.
Chief Joseph
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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
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I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
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Big name often stands on small legs.
Chief Joseph
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Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
Chief Joseph
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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