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Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.

Patrick Henry

The battle, Sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, Sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable; and let it come! I repeat, Sir, let it come!
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Brave Desire Enough Prison Slave Strong War
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Choice Death Liberty Myself
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
PATRICK HENRY

Experience Myself
it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts.
PATRICK HENRY

Hope Illusion Listen Man Nature Ourselves Pain Transformation Truth
Gentlemen may cry peace, peace- but there is no peace! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why should we idle here?…I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Liberty Ourselves Peace
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
PATRICK HENRY

Dream Future History Myself Past
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
PATRICK HENRY

Blessing Greatness Liberty
Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men, without a consequent loss of liberty?
PATRICK HENRY

Goodness History Liberty Loss Man People Place Right
Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
PATRICK HENRY

Last Protection Trust
When the American Spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; Liberty, sir, was then the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY

Different Language Liberty Spirit Youth
Fear is the passion of slaves.
PATRICK HENRY

Fear Passion Slave
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government – lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
PATRICK HENRY

Democracy Government Live People
Suspicion is a virtue as long as its object is the public good, and as long as it stays within proper bounds. Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Goodness Jealous Liberty Public Virtue
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Fight
We will appoint as justices, constables, sheriffs, or other officials, only men that know the law of the realm and are minded to keep it well.
PATRICK HENRY

Justice Law Man Mindset
Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third — [‘Treason!’ cried the Speaker] — may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
PATRICK HENRY

Death Literature

Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.

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Bad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.

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