Quotes by Chief Joseph

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

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.

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 can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.

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

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

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

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 does not require many words to speak the truth.

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.