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Congress may carry on the most wicked and pernicious of schemes under the dark veil of secrecy. The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

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
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
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
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
PATRICK HENRY

Freedom Home Moments Myself Slave
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
PATRICK HENRY

Blessing Greatness Liberty
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.
PATRICK HENRY

Act Father Nature People Right Rule
I smell a rat.
PATRICK HENRY

Animal Myself
The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.
PATRICK HENRY

Difference Philosophy Right Wrong
Will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.
PATRICK HENRY

Force Preserve Ruin Will
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
The great object is that every man be armed.
PATRICK HENRY

Greatness Man Weapon
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
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
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined…. The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun.
PATRICK HENRY

Attention Force Liberty Man Ruin Weapon Yourself
If this be treason, make the most of it!
PATRICK HENRY

Death Funny
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.
PATRICK HENRY

Act Death Fear Guilty Heaven Loyalty Myself Opinion Time

Congress may carry on the most wicked and pernicious of schemes under the dark veil of secrecy. 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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Congress may carry on the most wicked and pernicious of schemes under the dark veil of secrecy. The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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