Top 80 Chief Joseph Quotes (2025 Update)
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51. “When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.”

— Chief Joseph

52. “When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.”

— Chief Joseph

53. “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

54. “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

55. “I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.”

— Chief Joseph

56. “Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.”

— Chief Joseph

57. “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

58. “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

59. “Let me be a free man – free to travel, free to stop, free to work.”

— Chief Joseph

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

— Chief Joseph

61. “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

62. “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

63. “My people were divided about surrendering.”

— Chief Joseph

64. “I know that my race must change.”

— Chief Joseph

65. “Finest fur may cover toughest meat.”

— Chief Joseph

66. “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

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

— Chief Joseph

68. “I do not believe that the Great Spirit Chief gave one kind of men the right to tell another kind of men what they must do.”

— Chief Joseph

69. “I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.”

— Chief Joseph

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

— Chief Joseph

71. “We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.”

— Chief Joseph

72. “Cursed be he that scalps the reputation of the dead.”

— Chief Joseph

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

— Chief Joseph

74. “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

75. “I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.”

— Chief Joseph

76. “Our people could not talk with these white-faced men, but they used signs which all people understand.”

— Chief Joseph

77. “I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.”

— Chief Joseph

78. “We ask to be recognized as men.”

— Chief Joseph

79. “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

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

— Chief Joseph

81. “I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men had been secretly buying ammunition.”

— Chief Joseph

82. “My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.”

— Chief Joseph

83. “I saw that the war could not be prevented. The time had passed.”

— Chief Joseph

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

— Chief Joseph