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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

Patrick Henry

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
PATRICK HENRY

Death God Liberty Life Peace Price Slave
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
Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
PATRICK HENRY

Force Preserve Ruin Will
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY

Different Language Liberty Spirit Youth
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
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
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
PATRICK HENRY

Alone Battle Fight
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
The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!
PATRICK HENRY

Identity Myself Nation
This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.
PATRICK HENRY

Family Myself Religion Rich
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
I have now disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian Religion. If they had that and I had not given them one shilling they would have been rich; and if they had not that and I had given them all the world, they would be poor.
PATRICK HENRY

Family Material Myself Poor Religion Rich World
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
Patrick Henry wanted the Constitution to have a Bill of Rights attached to it — a list of powers that the government could never use against the people of the United States.
PATRICK HENRY

Attachment Government People Power Right
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.
PATRICK HENRY

Greatness Man Weapon
Mr. President, 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

Eyes Hope Illusion Listen Man Nature Ourselves Pain Song Transformation Truth

I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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I am not a Virginian, but an American.

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