Are we at last brought to such a humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our own defense?
PATRICK HENRYBad men cannot make good citizens. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.
More Patrick Henry Quotes
-
-
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 -
Give me liberty or give me death.
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 -
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 -
The great object is that every man be armed.
PATRICK HENRY -
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 -
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 -
Liberty, the greatest of all earthly blessings – give us that precious jewel and you may take everything else!
PATRICK HENRY -
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who comes near that precious jewel. Unfortunately, nothing.
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 -
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 -
Beside, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
PATRICK HENRY -
When the American spirit was in its youth, the language of America was different: Liberty, sir, was the primary object.
PATRICK HENRY -
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
PATRICK HENRY -
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