When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY
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.
More Patrick Henry Quotes
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When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
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 -
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 -
I smell a rat.
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
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 -
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.
PATRICK HENRY -
If this be treason, make the most of it!
PATRICK HENRY -
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
PATRICK HENRY -
The distinctions between Virginians, Pennsylvanians, New Yorkers, and New Englanders are no more. I Am Not A Virginian, But An American!
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
When the American Spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different; Liberty, sir, was then the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY -
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
PATRICK HENRY -
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