I am not a Virginian, but an American.
PATRICK HENRYFor my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.
More Patrick Henry Quotes
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Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing.
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I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience.
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The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.
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I believe a time will come when an opportunity will be offered to abolish this lamentable evil.
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I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
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When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
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Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of Nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
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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.
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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!
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It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains.
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The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery
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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.
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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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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.
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Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
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I smell a rat.
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If this be treason, make the most of it!
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The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
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Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
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A King, by disallowing Acts of this salutary nature, from being the father of his people, degenerated into a Tyrant and forfeits all rights to his subjects’ obedience.
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For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and to provide for it.
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Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
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United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.
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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!
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Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
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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