Chief Joseph quotes - page 2

Chief Joseph was a leader of the Nez Perce tribe, renowned for his resistance to the U.S. government's attempts to force his people from their ancestral lands. His eloquence and dignity during the Nez Perce War earned him national admiration. He became a symbol of Native American courage and the struggle for justice. Here are 78 of his quotes:

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man. (Chief Joseph)
I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done. View quote
Chief Joseph
Words do not pay for my dead people. View quote
Chief Joseph
War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war. View quote
Chief Joseph
A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country. View quote
Chief Joseph
Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people in our country, and many more would come; that he wanted the land marked out so that the Indians and the white man could be separated. View quote
Chief Joseph
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. View quote
Chief Joseph
We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead. View quote
Chief Joseph
It required a strong heart to stand up against such talk, but I urged my people to be quiet and not to begin a war. View quote
Chief Joseph
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition. View quote
Chief Joseph
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed. (Chief Joseph)
I will speak with a straight tongue. View quote
Chief Joseph
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed. View quote
Chief Joseph
The white men told lies for each other. They drove off a great many of our cattle. Some branded our young cattle so they could claim them. View quote
Chief Joseph
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. View quote
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. View quote
Chief Joseph
When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill. View quote
Chief Joseph
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people. View quote
Chief Joseph
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more. View quote
Chief Joseph
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace. View quote
Chief Joseph
I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated. (Chief Joseph)
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt. View quote
Chief Joseph
We had good white friends who advised us against taking the war path. My friend and brother, Mr. Chapman, told us just how the war would end. View quote
Chief Joseph
I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country. View quote
Chief Joseph
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed. View quote
Chief Joseph

Chief Joseph

Chief Joseph - Image
Occupation: American Leader
Born: March 3, 1840
Died: September 21, 1904
Quotes count: 78
Wikipedia: Chief Joseph

Related authors

Sitting Bull - thumbnail
Sitting Bull  54 
Statesman
Geronimo - thumbnail
Geronimo  13 
Statesman
Crazy Horse - thumbnail
Crazy Horse  12 
 
Red Cloud - thumbnail
Red Cloud  10 
Statesman
George Armstrong Custer - thumbnail
George Armstrong Custer  5 
American Soldier
Buffalo Bill - thumbnail
Buffalo Bill  53 
American Celebrity
Chief Seattle - thumbnail
Chief Seattle  27 
Leader
Helen Hunt Jackson - thumbnail
Helen Hunt Jackson  35 
American Novelist
Black Elk - thumbnail
Black Elk  64 
Leader
Nelson A. Miles - thumbnail
Nelson A. Miles  18 
American General