Quotes from Chief Joseph

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

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

I know that my race must change.

It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.

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

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.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

I believe much trouble and blood would be saved if we opened our hearts more.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.

Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself — and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.

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

Whenever the white man treats the Indian as they treat each other, then we shall have no more wars. We shall all be alike, brothers of one father and one 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.

We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.

The earth and myself are of one mind. The measure of the land and the neasure of our bodies are the same

I will fight no more forever

With few words one can speak the truth.

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.

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.

A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.

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

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

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.

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