"I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people"
- Chief Joseph
About this Quote
This quote by Chief Joseph talks to the value of peace and nonviolence. Chief Joseph was a leader of the Nez Perce people in the late 1800s and was known for his dedication to peaceful settlements with the United States federal government. He wanted to make fantastic sacrifices in order to avoid bloodshed and violence. This quote shows his strong belief that violence should be prevented at all expenses, even if it implies giving up whatever he had. He was willing to make any sacrifice to ensure that his individuals would not be responsible for the death of white guys. This quote talks to Chief Joseph's dedication to peace and his desire to protect his people from violence. It is an effective reminder of the significance of nonviolence and the requirement to find peaceful solutions to conflicts.