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

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

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

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

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

I will speak with a straight tongue.
Chief Joseph

I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.
Chief Joseph

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
Chief Joseph

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live in peace.
Chief Joseph

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

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

Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
Chief Joseph

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

My father was the first to see through the schemes of the white man.
Chief Joseph

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

My people were divided about surrendering.
Chief Joseph

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

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

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