It does not require many words to speak the truth.

Hear, O children of the earth, the voice of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, who, in the shadow of sorrow and exile, spoke with a clarity that pierced the heart: “It does not require many words to speak the truth.” In these few words lies a teaching deeper than rivers, brighter than fire, and stronger than the mountains. For truth does not need adornment, nor does it require the endless chatter of the tongue. It stands on its own, silent yet immovable, like a rock that resists the storm. The more men twist and multiply words, the farther they often stray; but the one who speaks simply from the heart speaks with a power that endures.

The origin of this wisdom comes from a man who had endured betrayal and suffering. Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce, watched as his people were driven from their ancestral lands by broken promises and the greed of the powerful. When he finally surrendered after a long and weary flight across mountains and rivers, his words were not elaborate speeches filled with bitterness, but a short and haunting declaration: “I will fight no more forever.” This was not just resignation—it was truth distilled into its purest form. He needed no clever argument to move the hearts of men, only a few words, because truth, when spoken with honesty, needs no ornament.

History itself confirms this wisdom. Recall the words of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. His speech lasted only a few minutes, while others spoke for hours. Yet it was Lincoln’s words—“government of the people, by the people, for the people”—that carved themselves into the memory of nations. The speeches before him were forgotten, but his few words endure forever. Why? Because truth does not thrive on length but on clarity. Like Chief Joseph, Lincoln knew that what is real and eternal needs no excess—only the courage to be spoken.

So too in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. He often spoke simply: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Just a handful of words, yet they carry more weight than volumes of philosophy. These words stir hearts because they embody truth that every soul can recognize. Compare this with the speeches of demagogues who thunder with endless words, drowning their audiences in noise. Their words, though many, crumble into dust. The difference is clear: truth requires little; lies require much.

The wisdom here is also a warning. When a man covers his speech with endless justification, with tangled arguments and exaggerated claims, beware! He may be hiding from truth. Words multiplied without need often reveal emptiness, while silence, or the simple statement of fact, holds far greater strength. Just as light shines brighter through a clear flame than through smoke, so truth shines brighter through few words than through many.

Therefore, my children, let this be your guide: when you speak, let your words be weighed, not counted. Speak with honesty, with brevity, and with courage. If you are right, you will not need many words. If you are wrong, no mountain of words can save you. Let your speech be like an arrow, swift and straight, rather than like a tangled net that ensnares even yourself.

In your daily life, practice this art. When you must speak the truth, do so with clarity. Do not waste time in empty justifications or elaborate disguises. A simple “I am sorry,” spoken with sincerity, carries more healing than long excuses. A simple “I love you,” spoken from the heart, carries more power than pages of poetry. When you stand for justice, let your words be firm and direct, and they will strike deeper than endless speeches.

So remember always Chief Joseph’s wisdom: “It does not require many words to speak the truth.” Let your speech be as the river—clear, flowing, and strong. Let your words be few, but let them carry the weight of mountains. In this way, your voice will not vanish like smoke in the wind, but will endure as truth always endures: simple, eternal, and unshakable.