Let me be a free man, free to travel, free to stop, free to work, free to trade where I choose, free to choose my own teachers, free to follow the religion of my fathers, free to talk, think and act for myself — and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.
Interpretation
This quote expresses the desire for personal freedom and autonomy in various aspects of life.
Chief Joseph's quote reflects his yearning for freedom and the fundamental human rights that allow individuals to make their own choices, express their beliefs, and pursue their own paths. The declaration emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy in social, economic, and spiritual matters, highlighting that true obedience to laws comes from a place of freedom rather than oppression.
In practice
In a keynote speech on civil rights, this quote can emphasize the importance of personal freedoms.
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.
It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and the broken promises.
If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian, he can live in peace. There need be no trouble. Treat all men alike. give them all the same law. Give them all an even chance to live and grow.
The earth is the mother of all people, and all people should have equal rights upon it.
All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.
Our chiefs are killed. . . . The little children are freezing to death. . . . My people have no blankets, no food. . . . My heart is sick and sad. . . . I will fight no more forever.
If I had not some strength of will I would make a first class drunkard.
If you take no risks, you will suffer no defeats. But if you take no risks, you win no victories.
Hope has returned to the hearts of scores of millions of men and women, and with that hope there burns the flame of anger against the brutal, corrupt invader ... In a dozen famous ancient States now prostrate under the Nazi yoke, the masses of the people ... await the hour of liberation ... That hour will strike, and its solemn peal will proclaim that the night is past and that the dawn has come.
I had a vision - and I saw white spirits and black spirits engaged in battle, and the sun was darkened - the thunder rolled in the Heavens, and blood flowed in streams - and I heard a voice saying, 'Such is your luck, such are you called to see, and let it come rough or smooth, you must surely bear it.'
As long as you have the courage to admit mistakes, things can be turned around.
Slaves do not always welcome their deliverers. They become accustomed to being slaves. They would rather gear those ills they have
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