Chief Joseph Quotes
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I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of white men by my people.
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My people were divided about surrendering.
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It does not require many words to speak the truth.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.
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I will speak with a straight tongue.
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We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the lead.
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When I think of our condition, my heart is heavy. I see men of my own race treated as outlaws and driven from country to country, or shot down like animals.
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Good words will not give me back my children.
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I believe much trouble would be saved if we opened our hearts more.
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I only ask of the government to be treated as all other men are treated.
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I labored hard to avoid trouble and bloodshed.
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Lawyer acted without authority from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country.
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Words do not pay for my dead people.
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When an Indian fights, he only shoots to kill.
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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.
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I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my country.
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The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.