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Chief Joseph Quotes

88 Top Chief Joseph Quotes That Will Inspire You To Stand For Your Rights

Famous As: Nez Perce leader

Born On: 1840

Died On: 1904

Born In: Wallowa River

Died At Age: 64

Chief Joseph, or Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, was the spearhead of Wallowa band of ‘Nez Perce’, a primitive Red Indian native tribe of America. He led the revolt against the United States federal government, which forced them to leave their ancestral lands. This led to a ferociously violent period in contemporary history of the United States. After a series of blood splurged events, Joseph pleaded for political asylum and eventually found refuge in Canada. Despite the move, the U.S army sent the highly skillful and admirable leader Nez Perce in pursuit of the band. The media glorified this war between the two rivals, Joseph and the Nez Perce, which became highly sought-after in various newspaper and magazines. This developed the stature of Joseph as a renowned humanitarian and peacemaker. Despite this stature, many critics believed his image overshadowed the true colors of Joseph. Many would term Joseph as the ‘Red Napoleon’. Various theatrical adaptations have been attempted while paying tribute to Joseph and his speeches. The most prominent of them being ‘I Will Fight No More Forever’ starring Ned Romero. Let us go through some of the most enthralling quotes and sayings from this legendary rebel in history of United States, giving us an insight about his thoughts, work and life. Following are noteworthy quotes and thoughts by Chief Joseph.

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Leaders

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

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

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.
Chief Joseph

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.

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.
Me Will Heart I
Chief Joseph

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

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

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

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

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.

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.
Never
Chief Joseph

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.

I am tired of talk that comes to nothing.
Heart I
Chief Joseph

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

I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
Love Believe I
Chief Joseph

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

Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work.
Life Me
Chief Joseph

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

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to live and grow.
Chief Joseph

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.

We did not know there were other people besides the Indian until about one hundred winters ago, when some men with white faces came to our country.
Chief Joseph

Words do not pay for my dead people.
Chief Joseph

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

When my young men began the killing, my heart was hurt.
Heart Young
Chief Joseph

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.

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.
War Heart I
Chief Joseph

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

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

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.

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

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

I cannot tell how much my heart suffered for my people while at Leavenworth.
Heart I
Chief Joseph

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great mistake.
You Think Like
Chief Joseph

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.

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.
Women Will Hope I
Chief Joseph

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.
Me Will Heart I
Chief Joseph

I will speak with a straight tongue.
Will I
Chief Joseph

I want the white people to understand my people.

I want the white people to understand my people.
I
Chief Joseph

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

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

Good words will not give me back my children.

Good words will not give me back my children.
Me Home Will Heart Children
Chief Joseph

We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.

We were like deer. They were like grizzly bear.
Like
Chief Joseph

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.

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.
War Friends
Chief Joseph

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

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

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.

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.
Alone Peace
Chief Joseph

We do not want churches because they will teach us to quarrel about God. We do not want to learn that. We may quarrel with men sometimes about things on this earth, but we never quarrel about the Great Spirit. We do not want to learn that.
God Never Will
Chief Joseph