A chief called Lawyer, because he was a great talker, took the lead in the council, and sold nearly all the Nez Perce country.
Chief Joseph
2
A man who would not love his father's grave is worse than a wild animal.
Chief Joseph
3
All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.
Chief Joseph
4
An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
Chief Joseph
5
For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.
Chief Joseph
6
From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.
Chief Joseph
7
General Howard informed me, in a haughty spirit, that he would give my people 30 days to go back home, collect all their stock, and move onto the reservation.
Chief Joseph
8
Good words will not give me back my children.
Chief Joseph
9
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
10
I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
Chief Joseph
11
I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Chief Joseph
12
I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.
Chief Joseph
13
I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
14
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
15
I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
Chief Joseph
16
I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.
Chief Joseph
17
I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
Chief Joseph
18
I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.
Chief Joseph
19
I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.
Chief Joseph
20
I want the white people to understand my people.
Chief Joseph
21
I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.
Chief Joseph
22
I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph
23
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Chief Joseph
24
It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph
25
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
Chief Joseph
26
Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Chief Joseph
27
My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.
Chief Joseph
28
My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.
Chief Joseph
29
My people were divided about surrendering.
Chief Joseph
30
Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.
Chief Joseph
31
Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
Chief Joseph
32
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
Chief Joseph
33
The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind.
Chief Joseph
34
The Indian race are waiting and praying.
Chief Joseph
35
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
36
War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
Chief Joseph
37
We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
Chief Joseph
38
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
39
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
40
We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy to possess everything the Indian had.
Chief Joseph
41
When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.
Chief Joseph
42
When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
Chief Joseph
