Chief Joseph Quotes - Page 4

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• 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.

  Chief Joseph

  Strong, War, Heart

  7 Copy quote

• 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.

  Chief Joseph

  Lying, Men, White Man

  8 Copy quote

• I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.

  Chief Joseph

  War, Saws

  5 Copy quote

• If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.

  Chief Joseph

  Native American, Men, White

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

  9 Copy quote

• Our fathers gave us many laws which they had learned from their
  fathers. These laws were good.

  Chief Joseph

  Father, Native American, Law

  8 Copy quote

• 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

  Horse, Moving, Rivers

  8 Copy quote

• 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

  Horse, Gun, Return

  9 Copy quote

• When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.

  Chief Joseph

  Fighting, Indian

  8 Copy quote

• I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, Government, Treated

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

  5 Copy quote

• My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

  Chief Joseph

  Fathers Day, Father, Eye

  13 Copy quote

• From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

  Chief Joseph

  Native American, Fighting, Sun

  Quoted in Herbert J. Spinden, The Nez Perce Indians (1908)

  12 Copy quote

• I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.

  Chief Joseph

  Country, Giving Up, War

  8 Copy quote

• When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.

  Chief Joseph

  Hurt, Heart, Men

  5 Copy quote

• I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, White, People

  8 Copy quote

• We ask to be recognized as men.

  Chief Joseph

  Men, Asks

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

  9 Copy quote

• 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.

  Chief Joseph

  Brother, War, White

  8 Copy quote

• I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

  Chief Joseph

  People, Want, Bloodshed

  10 Copy quote

• Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.

  Chief Joseph

  Country, Band, Lawyer

  8 Copy quote

• I will obey every law, or submit to the penalty.

  Chief Joseph

  Native American, Law, American Indian

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

  10 Copy quote

• My people were divided about surrendering.

  Chief Joseph

  People, Divided

  8 Copy quote

• I know that my race must change.

  Chief Joseph

  Race, Knows

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

  4 Copy quote

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