Chief Joseph Quotes - Page 2

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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

  Country, Brother, Father

  "Why use of Native American nicknames is an obvious affront" by Steve Wulf, www.espn.com. September 3, 2014.

  49 Copy 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

  Native American, Men, White

  Lincoln Hall Speech in Washington D.C., January 14, 1879.

  12 Copy quote

• 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

  Tired, Native American, Heart

  Speech in surrendering to General Nelson Appleton Miles, October 05, 1877.

  95 Copy quote

• 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

  Believe, Home, Native American

  102 Copy quote

• 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

  Country, Men, Thinking

  70 Copy quote

• The earth was created by the assistance of the sun, and it should be left as it was. The country was made without lines of demarcation, and it is no man's business to divide it.

  Chief Joseph

  Country, Native American, Men

  38 Copy quote

• I know that my race must change. We cannot hold our own with the white men as we are. We only ask an even chance to live as other men live. We ask to be recognized as men. We ask that the same law shall work alike on all men. If an Indian breaks the law, punish him by the law. If a white man breaks the law, punish him also.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, Race, White Man

  Lincoln Hall Speech in Washington D.C., January 14, 1879.

  87 Copy quote

• Big name often stands on small legs.

  Chief Joseph

  Names, Legs, Bigs

  22 Copy quote

• Good words will not give my people good health and stop them from dying. Good words will not get my people a home where they can live in peace and take care of themselves. I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and broken promises.

  Chief Joseph

  Home, Tired, Heart

  36 Copy quote

• 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

  Morning, Fall, Hunting

  14 Copy quote

• All people should be treated the same way on earth.

  Chief Joseph

  People, Way, Earth

  11 Copy quote

• An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, Bravery, Coward

  25 Copy quote

• I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, People, Ears

  Lincoln Hall Speech in Washington D.C., January 14, 1879.

  13 Copy quote

• Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.

  Chief Joseph

  Reputation, Cursed

  4 Copy quote

• We do not want churches. They will teach us to quarrel about God.

  Chief Joseph

  Religion, Church, Want

  25 Copy quote

• 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

  Rivers, Mountain, Suits

  48 Copy quote

• You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.

  Chief Joseph

  Running, Men, Rivers

  19 Copy quote

• We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, White Man, Vaccines

  50 Copy quote

• We are going by you without fighting if you will let us, but we are going by you anyhow!

  Chief Joseph

  Native American, Fighting, American Indian

  33 Copy quote

• I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more. I will tell you in my way how the Indian sees things. The white man has more words to tell you how they look to him, but it does not require many words to speak the truth.

  Chief Joseph

  Truth, Believe, Heart

  10 Copy quote

• We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.

  Chief Joseph

  Native American, Grizzly Bears, Deer

  13 Copy quote

• Finest fur may cover toughest meat.

  Chief Joseph

  Meat, Fur, May

  4 Copy quote

• I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

  Chief Joseph

  Done, Heard

  "Readings from Howard Zinn’s 'Voices of a People’s History of the United States'", www.democracynow.org. December 26, 2005.

  9 Copy quote

• Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other then we shall have no more wars. We shall be all alike - brothers of one father and mother, with one sky above us and one country around us and one government for all. Then the Great Spirit Chief who rules above will smile upon this land and send rain to wash out the bloody spots made by brothers' hands upon the face of the earth. For this time the Indian race is waiting and praying. I hope no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people.

  Chief Joseph

  Country, Mother, Brother

  Lincoln Hall Speech in Washington D.C., January 14, 1879.

  9 Copy quote

• We ask only that the law shall work alike on all men.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, Law, Asks

  6 Copy quote

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