War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
Interpretation
War is unnecessary and should be prevented.
Chief Joseph emphasizes the importance of avoiding war, highlighting the suffering and destruction it brings. His statement reflects a desire for peace and cooperation instead of conflict, advocating for proactive measures to prevent war.
In practice
In a speech about international relations, one might say, 'As Chief Joseph stated, war can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided.'
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.
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 β and I will obey every law or submit to the penalty.
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.
We extend our hand towards peace. Our people are committed to peace. We know that peace entails painful compromise for both sides.
Peace is freedom in tranquility.
Peace is a never ending process... It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests. It requires us to work and live together.
Peace starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share peace with neighboring communities, and so on. When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.
For our part, we shall continue to work for the new dawn when all the Children of Abraham and their descendants are living together in the birthplace of their three great monotheistic religions, a life free from fear, a life free from want - a life in peace.
Israel is no longer a people that dwells alone, and has to join the global journey toward peace, reconciliation and international cooperation.
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